LearningRails: Create and Deploy a Web Application in Two Days

Following the success of their inaugural seminar, a new offering of the 2-day LearningRails seminar will be held in San Francisco on April 29-30, 2008. Michael Slater and Christopher Haupt, both former Adobe engineers, have aimed their Ruby on Rails Seminar for web developers, designers and programmers to anyone who has some PHP or .Net experience.

Combining lecture, hands-on labs, and personal attention, the LearningRails Seminar reduces the complications of web development by teaching students from a prepared application, using a step-by-step approach to create and deploy a complete web application.

"To learn to use a highly capable framework like Rails on your own, you can spend months learning it from the bottom up. We help people get up and running quickly by focusing on just what they need to know first, and providing them with proven code to work from," Michael said. "People leave the seminar with a fully-launched web-app that they can develop incrementally." Participants also receive a complete set of software, tools, and documentation on a Flash drive, containing all the code for the application they have built in class, and a hosting environment they can use after the course has ended.

The LearningRails seminar focuses on the core principles for creating an effective web application: views, models, and controllers, as well as basic principles of Ruby and application development in general. Participants will work with Ajax, ActiveRecord, RESTful design, Subversion, and Capistrano during the two-day event.

The inaugural seminar held in February established the validity of this model of learning. As one participant, Chris Madden, shared, "The Seminar was just what I needed. It provided me with the overall knowledge of Rails, Ruby, and deployment that I didn't find in most of the tutorial books that I had completed beforehand."

Details and registration for the seminar can be found at BuildingWebApps.com/seminar.

Slater and Haupt have also launched a Free On-Line Course which includes podcasts and screen shots, and serves as a basic introduction to learning Ruby on Rails.

BuildingWebApps.com is an information portal for web application developers providing a valuable resource for the Ruby on Rails community. The company is focused on the Ruby on Rails platform and also covers related subjects, such as servers, user interfaces and related business issues.

Michael Slater and Christopher Haupt are available to discuss anything related to Ruby on Rails and web application development. Contact michael @ buildingwebapps.com, or call (888) 670-6793 ext. 702.

Source: PRWeb

Free Oracle 2 Day DBA Course

This course is designed to complement the Oracle 2 Day DBA documentation.

In this course you will find detailed information on the tasks outlined in the chapters of the Oracle 2 Day DBA manual, including step-by-step instructions.
List of Lessons

1. Introduction (No additional materials complement this chapter)
2. Installing Oracle and Building the Database
3. Getting Started with Oracle Enterprise Manager
4. Configuring the Network Environment
5. Managing the Oracle Instance
6. Managing Database Storage Structures
7. Administering Users and Security
8. Managing Schema Objects
9. Performing Backup and Recovery
10. Monitoring and Tuning the Database
11. Managing Oracle Software

Note: These lessons in this series can be performed on either Windows or Linux.

Request your Free Oracle 2 Day DBA Course material today.

lynda.com Announces Release of Ruby on Rails Beyond the Basics

lynda.com, the leader in self-paced digital media and design training, today introduced Ruby on Rails Beyond the Basics.

In this sequel to the popular Ruby on Rails Essential Training, expert instructor Kevin Skoglund teaches comprehensive techniques for web developers who already feel comfortable with the fundamentals of Ruby and the Rails MVC framework. This training will help developers move toward creating full-featured Ruby on Rails applications. Kevin begins by explaining how to update software and projects to the latest versions. He then demonstrates alternative ways to interact with Ruby and your Rails applications and teaches the intermediate aspects of the Ruby language. Kevin provides step-by-step instructions for creating a custom blog and content management application. He uses this practical example to show how to work with database migrations, how to get more from ActiveRecord and avoid common pitfalls, how to create flexible controllers and views, and how to improve performance, security, and code management. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.

"This is the perfect resource for anyone developing a real website in Ruby on Rails," says Lynda Weinman, CEO of lynda.com. "It covers not only in-depth programming concepts, but also the 'care and feeding' tips you'll need to efficiently maintain your Ruby on Rails development and production environments."

Anyone with an internet connection can access Ruby on Rails Beyond the Basics by subscribing to lynda.com's Online Training Library®. A separate CD-ROM version of Ruby on Rails Beyond the Basics is planned later this month.

Subscriptions to the lynda.com Online Training Library® start at $25 a month, and provide access to over 22,000 movie tutorials covering more than 320 technology career tools, software applications, and techniques. Subscribers can access any of the computer-based training courses at their convenience. Multi-user subscriptions are also available for companies and institutions seeking to provide education and training to groups.

For free online samples of Ruby on Rails Beyond the Basics and more detailed product information, please visit http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=395

To arrange to view the full training title, please contact megan@lynda.com.

For more information on lynda.com products, please visit http://www.lynda.com/ or call 1-888-335-9632.

About lynda.com
Since 1997, lynda.com has provided education and technical training solutions for designers, computer graphics specialists, digital media users, and computer owners. lynda.com products include web-based training, instructional books, CD- and DVD-based video training, self-paced online learning, and events for creative designers, instructors, students, and hobbyists. lynda.com specializes in teaching fundamental design and graphics principles along with the latest computer software, digital media technologies, and techniques.

About Kevin Skoglund
Kevin Skoglund is the owner of Pixel & Press (http://www.pixelandpress.com/) , a web development company specializing in application development using Ruby on Rails, PHP, SQL, HTML, and CSS. Pixel & Press web clients include lynda.com, Flashforward, An Event Apart, Google, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York, and Aidan Bradley Photography. Kevin began creating websites in 2001. He has been using PHP and MySQL to develop web applications since 2003, and started using Ruby on Rails in 2005. He also maintains a blog for web developers at http://www.nullislove.com/

Source: PRWeb

Warm Your Winter with Cocoa Bootcamp, January 14-18, 2008

Warm your winter with Cocoa Bootcamp, January 14-18, 2008.

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., leading provider of intensive training classes for system administrators and programmers, announced the first offering of its 2008 schedule of classes with Cocoa Bootcamp. This widely acclaimed Cocoa training class offers an intensive immersion into the world of Cocoa development. More importantly, this class incorporates enhancements from the release of the Leopard edition of Mac OS X so that students attending the class will emerge skilled with the most current and relevant training available on Cocoa programming.

"The timing for our January Bootcamp could not be better," said Cocoa Bootcamp instructor, Aaron Hillegass. "Many people greet the new year by setting new goals. Making Cocoa Bootcamp your New Year's resolution is an attainable goal that will equip you with the skills to further your career and make 2008 ripe with professional possibilities. This confluence of events is so fortuitous that, if I was into astrology, I would also say, 'Buy a lottery ticket!'"

The five-day, intensive Cocoa training class provides the most comprehensive Cocoa instruction available, providing in-depth coverage of fundamentals (including an overview of Objective-C) to advanced subject areas such as Xcode 3.0, Interface Builder, Core Data, and OpenGL. While no previous experience in Cocoa is required, the class assumes that the student is familiar with some type of object-oriented programming like Java or C++. Students emerging from the class will demonstrate mastery in the following key areas:

• Ability to write complex applications for Mac OS X 10.5
• Mastery of Interface Builder and Xcode
• Ability to find and understand the online documentation
• Experience with the most common classes in the frameworks
• Clear comprehension of the design patterns used in Cocoa
• Ability to recognize several common idioms of the Cocoa community

The complete class description is available at http://bignerdranch.com/classes/cocoa.shtml

Students interested in attending the class should sign up now, as Cocoa Bootcamp has been selling out throughout 2007.

Aaron Hillegass has honed his skills as a software engineer, developer, trainer and author over the past eighteen years. His work with Apple Computer, Inc. and NeXT Software Inc. as senior trainer and curriculum developer imbued him with the skills needed to launch the Big Nerd Ranch, Inc. and to develop his consulting work for companies as diverse as Cogent Design, Nortel Networks and United Parcel Service. He has translated his knowledge into the book that has become the gold standard for Cocoa developers, 'Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X,' which also serves as the course textbook.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://www.bignerdranch.com

Source: PRWeb

Forget Paris in April, Think Atlanta in November for Ruby on Rails Bootcamp, November 12-16, 2007

To meet the rising demand for quality Ruby on Rails training, Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., premier provider of week-long, intensive training classes for web developers, system administrators and programmers, announced the fall dates for Ruby on Rails Bootcamp (http://bignerdranch.com/classes/ruby.shtml) for November 12-16, 2007. The five-day class features Ruby on Rails guru, Charles Brian Quinn (http://bignerdranch.com/instructors/quinn.shtml), and is designed specifically for developers, web designers and project managers charged with the development of robust, efficient and stable database-driven web applications. Students attending this class are not just paying for a simple overview of an over-hyped equivalent of programming bling. Instead, they are thrust head-first into a rigorous study of one of the most elegant and powerful languages and frameworks available to the serious web developer.

Tapping his extensive experience as a full-time Ruby on Rails developer, Charles Brian Quinn presents information within a real-world context, where the introduction of concepts is followed by examples of how those concepts are utilized. In addition, attendees of the class are encouraged to bring their own projects to the class to receive individualized guidance.

"One of the greatest benefits to Ruby on Rails Bootcamp is also one of the more fluid and intangible aspects of the Big Nerd Ranch learning environment," commented Charles Brian Quinn, class instructor. "So much of the learning process occurs after class is over, during the evenings in the lab. That is when students come together for post-class brain dumps, code show-offs and assistance in helping architect their next big application. It is during those late night sessions when many students get their big 'ah ha!' moment."

At the end of the five-day Ruby on Rails training class, students will leave fully schooled in the key elements of Ruby on Rails development, including:

• Understanding Rails major components: Active Record, ActionPack, ActionMailer and ActiveSupport
• Understanding Ruby on Rails conventions and the Model View Controller
• Being able to install, setup, design, develop and deploy Ruby on Rails applications using Capistrano and update and maintain existing Ruby on Rails applications
• Building, parsing and manipulating XML Documents by generating RSS feeds and creating and consuming Web Services
• Making sophisticated and dynamic user interfaces utilizing AJAX and using Ruby libraries, plug-ins and generators to enhance extensibility of functionality

No previous experience with Ruby or Rails is required, however, students attending the class should be familiar with basic programming principles such as if/else, methods, objects and data.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit www.bignerdranch.com.

Source: PRWeb

Make Your Pilgrimage to Python Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch, November 5-9, 2007

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc. announced the fall dates of Python Bootcamp (http://bignerdranch.com/classes/python.shtml), scheduled for November 5-9, 2007. Python Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch distinguishes itself by uniquely teaching Python as a language for Enterprise Systems Development with an emphasis on real-world applications. This includes using Python to process data, creating links between existing applications, and creating complex mission critical applications involving concurrency, network programming, and distributed systems. By drawing on instructor and Python guru David Beazley's extensive background as a Python developer and renowned author of 'Python Essential Reference,' the intensive, five-day Python training class provides a comprehensive introduction to the Python language and is designed for the software engineer interested in using Python to develop highly sophisticated, enterprise-level applications. Even developers with prior Python experience will gain from this course as Dave goes "beyond the books" to talk about modern Python programming style, program performance, program design tradeoffs, and the inner workings of core language features.

"So why Python Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch?" mused Big Nerd Ranch founder, Aaron Hillegass. "In addition to all the wonderful things about Python that commend it above other languages -- its extensibility, its elegant syntax, its ability to deftly manage enterprise-level applications -- there is also the issue of ubiquity. Python popularity has reached that critical mass where the full power behind this scripting language has elevated this seemingly simple bit of coding to one of the canon languages for the enterprising developer. It is rapidly becoming the lingua franca for top-tier programmers charged with developing dynamic, richly layered, and powerful applications."

Students attending Python Bootcamp will be challenged over the course of a week as David Beazley converts the Py-curious into full-fledged Python developers. Topics include:

• A complete introduction to Python's programming environment, interactive interpreter, core datatypes, and standard library;
• A thorough overview of types and operators, control flow, functions, exceptions and classes;
• How to create new Python modules;
• Strategies for concurrent programming, including interprocess communication and programming with threads;
• Networking programming, including sockets and modules for supporting standard Internet application protocols;
• A detailed examination of object-oriented prorgramming in Python;
• Cross-platform systems development and using Pythonwin to control Windows applications via COM;
• An introduction to XML and Internet data handling;
• An overview of SWIG

Python Bootcamp covers extensive territory, providing instruction not only in the language itself, but also in how it relates to real-world challenges like interfacing with existing applications, networking and system programming, and more. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that students attending the Python training class have previous experience with an object-oriented language like C++ or Java and a scripting language like Perl.

To learn more about Python Instructor Dave Beazley: http://bignerdranch.com/instructors/beazley.shtml

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3,500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://bignerdranch.com/

Source: PRWeb

Learn SQL Server 2005 with AppDev's Newest Release

AppDev recently released the SQL Server™ 2005 Power Suite for developers using or learning Visual Basic 2005 or Visual C# 2005. A major upgrade from its very successful predecessor, SQL Server™ 2000, SQL Server™ 2005 includes numerous new features and functionalities. By utilizing the AppDev SQL Server™ 2005 Power Suite developers can learn how to take advantage of these improvements and increase productivity and performance.

The SQL Server™ 2005 Power Suite includes seven courses on 66 CD’s or eight DVDs. It is also available on AppDev’s latest learning solution, KSource Online Learning™. The SQL Server™ 2005 Power Suite begins with AppDev’s exploring series for an overview of the new features and functionality of SQL Server™ and moves onto more in-depth discussion of topics including Business Intelligence, BizTalk Server and ADO.NET.

Each course is led and written by some of the most recognized names in the industry and most include hands-on labs, sample code, printable courseware, and pre/post exams.

“The AppDev SQL Server™ 2005 Power Suite is an excellent way to get up to speed with the over five years of Microsoft SQL Server™ enhancements,” AppDev President and CEO Craig Jensen said. “AppDev’s easy to follow instruction and award-winning content ensures that developers will be able to capitalize on all these SQL improvements.

AppDev is an award-winning technical learning company providing in-depth, real-world content in multiple formats. AppDev offers 80+ titles for today's latest technologies including Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005, Business Intelligence, ASP.NET 2.0, Visual Basic® 2005, Visual C#® 2005 and more. For more information on the AppDev training or for additional training and reference resources, contact AppDev at (800)578-2062 or http://www.appdev.com.

Source: PRWeb

Forget Paris in April, Think Atlanta in November for Ruby on Rails Bootcamp, November 12-16, 2007

To meet the rising demand for quality Ruby on Rails training, Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., premier provider of week-long, intensive training classes for web developers, system administrators and programmers, announced the fall dates for Ruby on Rails Bootcamp (http://bignerdranch.com/classes/ruby.shtml) for November 12-16, 2007. The five-day class features Ruby on Rails guru, Charles Brian Quinn (http://bignerdranch.com/instructors/quinn.shtml), and is designed specifically for developers, web designers and project managers charged with the development of robust, efficient and stable database-driven web applications. Students attending this class are not just paying for a simple overview of an over-hyped equivalent of programming bling. Instead, they are thrust head-first into a rigorous study of one of the most elegant and powerful languages and frameworks available to the serious web developer.

Tapping his extensive experience as a full-time Ruby on Rails developer, Charles Brian Quinn presents information within a real-world context, where the introduction of concepts is followed by examples of how those concepts are utilized. In addition, attendees of the class are encouraged to bring their own projects to the class to receive individualized guidance.

"One of the greatest benefits to Ruby on Rails Bootcamp is also one of the more fluid and intangible aspects of the Big Nerd Ranch learning environment," commented Charles Brian Quinn, class instructor. "So much of the learning process occurs after class is over, during the evenings in the lab. That is when students come together for post-class brain dumps, code show-offs and assistance in helping architect their next big application. It is during those late night sessions when many students get their big 'ah ha!' moment."

At the end of the five-day Ruby on Rails training class, students will leave fully schooled in the key elements of Ruby on Rails development, including:

• Understanding Rails major components: Active Record, ActionPack, ActionMailer and ActiveSupport
• Understanding Ruby on Rails conventions and the Model View Controller
• Being able to install, setup, design, develop and deploy Ruby on Rails applications using Capistrano and update and maintain existing Ruby on Rails applications
• Building, parsing and manipulating XML Documents by generating RSS feeds and creating and consuming Web Services
• Making sophisticated and dynamic user interfaces utilizing AJAX and using Ruby libraries, plug-ins and generators to enhance extensibility of functionality

No previous experience with Ruby or Rails is required, however, students attending the class should be familiar with basic programming principles such as if/else, methods, objects and data.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit www.bignerdranch.com.

Source: PRWeb

Warm Your Mug with Cocoa Bootcamp, October 1-5, 2007

In order to meet escalating demand for superior quality Cocoa training, Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., premier provider of intensive five-day training classes for programmers, system administrators, and web developers, announced today another Cocoa Bootcamp class for the fall. The class, scheduled for October 1-5, 2007, comes on the heels of the September class, which sold out shortly after the dates were released. The ever-increasing popularity of Cocoa Bootcamp is clear evidence of Apple's rapidly growing market share; a trend Steve Jobs announced at the recent WWDC. The class, which boasts the talents of the legendary Aaron Hillegass, features the most in-depth Cocoa training available and uniquely satisfies both the needs of novice Cocoa programmers and those of experienced Cocoa developers seeking a deeper understanding of Cocoa.

"While I am not saying there is a correlation between the crowds lining up to purchase Ms. Rowling's latest book and sold-out Cocoa Bootcamp classes, it does make one wonder," mused Aaron Hillegass, Cocoa Bootcamp instructor. "At the very least it demonstrates that people will go to any length to experience excellence. Cocoa Bootcamp provides that opportunity and opens students' eyes to the magic and possibility not only within Cocoa programming, but within themselves and the power of their own creativity."

Over five days, Aaron brings his own brand of Cocoa wizardry to the instruction of core and advanced principles of Cocoa programming. While students are not required to be familiar with Cocoa or working on Macs, they are expected to have some background in an object-oriented language like Java, C++, Python or Ruby. The class is fast-paced and intense as it traverses a lot of Cocoa territory. After a preliminary crash course in Objective-C, the class moves onto the key competencies required of any Cocoa programmer worth his/her salt:

• Mastering Interface Builder and Xcode
• The Objective-C language
• Using CoreData and binding in the creation of sophisticated applications
• Custom drawing and event handling
• Adding sheets, formatting, printing, drag and drop, and dynamic menu items to an application

Aaron Hillegass's seminal work, 'Cocoa Programming on Mac OS X,' provides the text for the class. This class is being taught on Mac OS X 10.4 and Xcode 2.3, but the new Leopard edition will be discussed during class.

Read more about Cocoa Bootcamp at http://bignerdranch.com/classes/cocoa.shtml

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit www.bignerdranch.com.

Source: PRWeb

Concentrated Cocoa Returns to the Big Nerd Ranch, September 17-21, 2007

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., premier provider of intensive, week-long training classes for programmers, system administrators and web developers, announced the return of Cocoa Bootcamp for September 17-21, 2007. Taught by renowned Cocoa instructor, Aaron Hillegass, Cocoa Bootcamp provides intensive and challenging instruction over five days on one of the most sought-after development languages in the industry. The Cocoa training class is designed for experienced Cocoa progammers and Cocoa initiates alike and is currently being taught on Mac OS X 10.4 and Xcode 2.3 with a significant amount of time spent on Core Data.

"Why take Cocoa Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch," mused Aaron Hillegass, Cocoa Bootcamp instructor. "A Buddhist monk should be kind and patient. Can you teach someone to be kind and patient? I don't think so. So, to train Buddist monks, they create an environment where the students can find kindness and patience themselves. I can't make you a great Cocoa programmer, but I can create an environment where you can find the great Cocoa programmer inside yourself. After five days at the Big Nerd Ranch, I believe you will."

Using his widely acclaimed 'Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X' as the course text, Aaron guides students through the book from start to finish. Aaron deconstructs his own material by utilizing a three-part format for instruction: lecture, question and answer session, and praxis. Methodically building on each concept outlined in the book, Cocoa Bootcamp covers impressive ground in the training and development of confident, knowledgeable Cocoa programmers, primed to apply their new Cocoa skills to real-world projects.

The class includes comprehensive instruction in the following key areas:

• A fast, hard ride to Objective-C mastery
• Controller, bindings, even more bindings and a whole lot of CoreData
• User defaults, preferences, alerts, and notifications
• Getting the most out of your custom view with mouse and keyboard events, images, drag and drop, and the open panel
• NSTimer, attaching sheets, formatters, printing and pagination
• Creating a reusable framework
• Creating and manipulating 3-D views with OpenGL
• Generating Unix processes that communicate with your application

No prior experience with Cocoa or Macs is required, but familiarity with an object-oriented programming language like Java or C++ is expected for the September offering.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://bignerdranch.com/

Source: PRWeb

Change Your Colors This Fall with Django Bootcamp, September 10-14, 2007

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., premier provider of cutting-edge training classes for web developers, programmers, and system administrators, announced today the next Django Bootcamp (http://bignerdranch.com/classes/django.shtml) dates, slated for September 10-14, 2007. Django Bootcamp was designed to address the needs of developers seeking an elegant solution for web application development, web designers striving to increase their marketability with server-side technology skills, and programmers developing Python and XML-based web services. This training class, led by Django instructor Juan Pablo Claude, is a rigorous study of the rising star in the open source, web application development community. Django has achieved global acclaim with its database-driven, Python-based design, its powerful template system and its elegance in code and file structure. By tapping the power of Python for its framework, Django offers developers a simple, efficient, and supercharged alternative to J2EE development.

"Trendy and cutting-edge are not synonymous," commented Big Nerd Ranch founder, Aaron Hillegass. "'Trendy' suggests an end-date in popularity. Django, on the other hand, with its meteoric rise in the web services community, shows no end date to its popularity. It boasts an ease of use, an intelligence in design, and a passionate and forward thinking community that is committed to excellence and furthering Django's usability. Django Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch offers web services professionals the ideal learning environment to leverage this rapidly emerging technology to increase their projects' success."

The Django training class provides an exhaustive overview of this revolutionary framework, from fundamentals to helpful strategies in harnessing the full potential and power of Django. Key subject areas include, but are not limited to:

• Installing Python, an introduction to Django, and database connectivity modules
• Using the database API and creating the database interface and data models
• Mastering the power of Django's template system to generate and update web pages dynamically
• URLS like you've never seen them before
• Utilizing models, views and forms to full advantage in your project
• Start using the newforms library immediately
• Users and authentication and generating emails and PDFs in response to user action
• Integrating Django with XML and AJAX
• Deploying your Django application on an Apache server using mod_python and FastCGI

To register for Django Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch, please visit http://bignerdranch.com/register.php?cid=1027

No prior experience in Python is required (although it is helpful), but students should be familiar with object-oriented programming, HTML, and CSS. Those students seeking to minimize the learning curve prior to class are encouraged to read Mark Lutz's 'Learning Python.'

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://bignerdranch.com/.

Source: PRWeb

Sail Through Summer with PHP Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch, August 20-24, 2007

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., premier provider of intensive, week-long training classes for system administrators, web developers and programmers, announced the next date for its popular PHP Bootcamp with instructor Mark Fenoglio for August 20-24, 2007. PHP continues to be a top performer as an elegant database-driven open source web application development language. As more and more developers and organizations become aware of its potential and fluidity of design and integration with MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, demand for knowledgeable and experienced PHP developers grows. Key to that demand is the ability to design, implement and maintain an application throughout its life cycle, from creation to implementation and ultimately, maintenance and upgrades.

One of the key features to the Big Nerd Ranch PHP Bootcamp is the novel approach instructor Mark Fenoglio employs to provide context and focus to the PHP training class. Throughout the five days, students are presented with a project website to create a context-driven syllabus.

PHP Instructor Mark Fenoglio commented, "We cover a ton of ground, but we don't gloss over anything. We get a deep understanding of how PHP works and (perhaps more importantly) how to approach problem-solving with PHP. We're also database-agnostic. Students can use PostgreSQL or MySQL in their work, and we show how a strong knowledge of databases can help with PHP application building."

The five day class runs students through the ropes of PHP 5 development and by completion of the class students will be able to use PHP to build modular websites and applications, implement database-driven solutions to their projects, understand how PHP complements and synthesizes with other web technologies including CSS, XML, etc., create web services and manage a multi-tiered user hierarchy. Students attending the class should be familiar with HTML. While the class does review integration with database administration, no prior experience with PostgreSQL or MySQL, is required.

Read more about PHP5 Bootcamp (including the complete syllabus) or our instructor Mark Fenoglio.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://bignerdranch.com/.

Source: PRWeb

WestLake Training and Development Announces Ruby on Rails Developer Workshop

WestLake Training and Development, an IT training company dedicated to Web application development training, is pleased to announce its latest course offering, Introduction to Ruby on Rails. This four-day Ruby on Rails developer workshop will be held from June 12-15, 2007, at WestLake's facility in Washington, DC, and will be taught by leading contributor to the Ruby community, Chad Fowler, who also developed the course. Attendees will earn 2.4 continuing education units on completion of the class.

The course will cover Rails development and the major features of Rails through a series of hands-on, instructor-led exercises. By the end of the course, attendees will understand how to develop an Ajax-powered Web application in Rails. Students will also gain a wealth of knowledge about Ruby on Rails, including how to install and configure Ruby and RubyGems, how to send and receive mail from Rails applications, how to develop REST-style services with Rails, and more.

"I developed this Ruby on Rails training course to give attendees a head start on understanding and using Ruby on Rails." said Fowler. "This emerging language and application framework is proving to be critical to the world of Web application development, and I believe this course will be a valuable resource for those taking part."

Fowler is one of the developers and maintainers of RubyGems, the standard packaging system for Ruby, the chair of the International Rails Conference, and the co-director of Ruby Central, Inc. In addition, Fowler is the author of Rails Recipes, a copy of which all course attendees will receive, as well as the forthcoming Advanced Rails Recipes.

To register for the Introduction to Ruby on Rails course, or to learn more about any other Web application development training courses offered by WestLake, please visit www.westlaketraining.com.

About WestLake Training and Development
WestLake Training and Development was founded in 1995 and is dedicated exclusively to Web application development training. The company offers a variety of Web development classes at its training facilities in New York, NY; Dallas, TX, San Jose, CA; Chicago, IL; Dulles, VA, with its headquarters just blocks away from the White House in downtown Washington, DC. Additionally, WestLake offers dedicated private training to corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profits throughout the country and around the world. For more information, visit www.westlaketraining.com.

Source: PRWeb

Get Cool with Ruby on Rails Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch, July 30 - August 3, 2007

Get Cool with Ruby on Rails Bootcamp, July 30 - August 3, 2007.

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., leading provider of intensive training classes for programmers and system administrators, announced the return of Ruby on Rails training (http://bignerdranch.com/classes/ruby.shtml), scheduled for July 30 through August 3, 2007. Since its debut, Ruby on Rails has created a sensation among web application developers, project managers and web designers across a spectrum of industries for its robust, powerful, and easy-to-deploy framework. Big Nerd Ranch's Ruby on Rails training class brings this exciting tool for creating dynamic database-driven web applications to the public in five days of intensive instruction by a full-time Ruby on Rails developer and experienced instructor, Charles Brian Quinn.

Charles Brian Quinn, one of the founders of Slingshot Hosting for Ruby on Rails business hosting, is a partner at Highgroove Studios and a freelance Ruby on Rails consultant. He boasts an extensive career in the development and deployment of database-driven applications for a variety of Fortune 500 companies and governmental agencies, including Deloitte & Touche, Mutual of Omaha and the State of Tennessee. It is this depth of knowledge that allows for the most comprehensive and customizable Ruby on Rails training available and the best learning experience for the student.

In a recent review of Charles's February 2006 class, student Steven Harms commented, "For five days, people like you, focused on learning, learn, work and talk together. It's kinda special. Sorta like camp, but instead of popsicle stick birdhouses you build powerful computer applications. If, in five days, we could do something like this, in 90 days what sort of application could we build?"

At the end of those five days, the student will:

• Understand the major components that make up Ruby on Rails (ActiveRecord, ActionPack, ActionMailer, and ActiveSupport)
• Understand the Model View Controller (MVC) pattern, how Ruby on Rails conventions encourage efficient design, and apply Ruby on Rails best practices
• Install, setup, design, develop and deploy new Ruby on Rails applications, as well as update, manage, and maintain existing ones
• Build, parse and manipulate XML documents by generating RSS feeds, and creating and consuming Web Services
• Avoid security pitfalls and deployment problms, debug applicatins using breakpoints, logging and prototyping
• Make rich and dynamic interfaces using Ruby on Rails's extensive, easy to use AJAX libraries
• Deploy and maintain Ruby on Rails applications using Capistrano and a trusted Rails deployment stack

Most notably, the topics reviewed in the class are given real-world context drawn from Charles's own experience as a Ruby on Rails developer. Many of the big breakthroughs in mastering Ruby on Rails come in the after-class "brain dumps" and the individual assistance the instructor provides in helping the student architect his next big application. Translating the lessons into practical challenges the student is facing contextualizes the learning and minimizes the learning curve. It is this level of instruction and depth of knowledge that makes the Big Nerd Ranch Ruby on Rails training class the best in the industry.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers and system administrators in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://bignerdranch.com/

lynda.com Expands Online Training Library with Video Content from SitePoint

lynda.com, the leader in video-based training for digital media and design software, today announced its new relationship with online media company SitePoint. Five new video training courses for web developers and designers will be available immediately in the lynda.com Online Training Library™.

SitePoint is a fast-growing online media company and information provider targeting the web professional market, specifically web developers and designers. lynda.com and SitePoint have entered into a distribution agreement whereby lynda.com's Online Training Library™ subscribers will have access to SitePoint's collection of video-based training on web development topics.

"Almost all of the content in the lynda.com Online Training Library™ is commissioned and then created by our own team of authors and production staff, since creating training is our passion and area of expertise. This distribution partnership indicates our great respect for SitePoint. We believe our subscribers will benefit from having access to SitePoint's excellent training, in addition to the training we create. Our goal is be a one-stop destination for anyone needing training on digital tools and technologies, and partnering with SitePoint is a win for us, and for our customers," says Lynda Weinman, CEO of lynda.com.

The first SitePoint video courses that will be made available to Online Training Library™ subscribers are The CSS Crash Course, The AJAX Crash Course, Setting Up Ruby on Rails 1.x for Windows, Setting Up PHP 5 for Windows with Apache or IIS, and Setting Up MySQL 5 for PHP for Windows.

"Our customers are always on the lookout for effective training, and we have a large percentage of subscribers who are engaged with web design and development. They will really enjoy this new addition to our library," adds Lynda. "We look forward to distributing other relevant content from SitePoint as it becomes available."

"We're excited about making our videos available to a larger audience. We believe lynda.com is the perfect partner for us to work with to spread our message about web standards and best practices to all corners of the web," says Luke Cuthbertson, SitePoint's general manager.

Subscriptions to the lynda.com Online Training Library™ start at $25 per month, and provide access to more than 18,000 video tutorials covering a wide range of technology career tools, software, and techniques. Subscribers can access any of the video-based training titles at their convenience. Multi-user subscriptions are also available for companies and institutions seeking to provide education and training to groups.

For more information on lynda.com products, please visit http://www.lynda.com/ or call 1-888-335-9632.

About lynda.com
Since 1997, lynda.com has provided education and technical training solutions for designers, web developers, computer graphics specialists, digital media users, and computer owners. lynda.com products include web-based training, instructional books, video-based training on disc, self-paced online learning, and events for creative designers, developers, instructors, students, and hobbyists. lynda.com specializes in teaching fundamental design and graphics principles along with the latest computer software, digital media technologies, and techniques.

About SitePoint
SitePoint specializes in publishing fun, practical, and easy-to-understand content for web professionals. Its popular online magazine, blogs, newsletters, and print books have been teaching best practices to web developers and designers worldwide since 1997. Meanwhile, the newly launched SitePoint Marketplace has become "the favorite destination for web developers" (Business 2.0) to buy and sell websites, blogs, and forums.

Source: PRWeb

Beat the Summer Heat with a Big Nerd Ranch PostgreSQL Bootcamp Retreat

Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., leading provider of system administration and programming training classes, announced today the summer dates for its popular PostgreSQL 8.2 Bootcamp for July 9-13, 2007. PostgreSQL 8.2 Bootcamp has become one of the cornerstone Big Nerd Ranch classes and is taught by Chris Campbell, experienced Big Nerd Ranch instructor and expert PostgreSQL developer. The class has been designed to address the needs of database administrators and project managers seeking a robust, scalable, and flexible database solution. PostgreSQL 8.2, the best open-source database available on the market, provides that solution.

"One of the aspects of the PostgreSQL Bootcamp at the Big Nerd Ranch that commends it over other PostgreSQL training classes, is the in-depth understanding of PostgreSQL that instructor Chris Campbell provides," commented Aaron Hillegass, Big Nerd Ranch founder. "The scope of PostgreSQL instruction offered in class far surpasses even what is presented on the syllabus. Chris has a keen sense for zeroing in on the needs of his students and adapting the curriculum to make it relevant to their real-world challenges."

The five-day, intensive class provides superior instruction in essential PostgreSQL topics; with twenty-five units broken into easily digestible lecture and development time. In just the first day, students will have learned to install PostgreSQL and mastered its server configuration. By the end of the class, students will demonstrate mastery in the fundamental principles of PostgreSQL installation and administration, including, but not limited to:

• psql, pgAdmin and phpPgAdmin
• creating databases, schemas, users and access control
• Security, backups and OpenSSL
• Slony-I replication, SELECT and JOIN
• PL/pgSQL
• Query plans and basic optimization
• pgpool, libpq and DBI

The complete syllabus provides more information about the class and instructor Chris Campbell.

While no previous experience with PostgreSQL is required, it is helpful to have some basic familiarity with it. Students are expected to have experience with the Unix command line, basic Unix administration, simple SQL statements, and basic programming concepts.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit Big Nerd Ranch.

Source: PRWeb

Free AppDev Training CD-ROMs

See AppDev quality for yourself -- get a free training CD-ROM taken directly from one of our award-winning courses! If you would like your free CD-ROM shipped outside of the U.S., and/or if you would like to order multiple CDs, a shipping and handling fee will apply.

The available topics include:

• ADO.NET Using Visual Basic 2005
• ADO.NET Using Visual C# 2005
• ASP.NET Using C# .NET
• ASP.NET Using VB.NET
• ASP.NET Using Visual Basic 2005
• ASP.NET Using Visual C# 2005
• Building Web Services Using Visual Basic 2005
• Exploring BizTalk Server 2006
• Exploring SharePoint Server 2007
• Exploring SQL Server 2005
• Exploring Visual Basic 2005
• Exploring Visual C# 2005
• J2SE 5.0: Java Fundamentals
• J2SE 5.0: Java Web Development
• Learning to Program in C# 2005
• Learning to Program in VB 2005
• SQL Server 2000
• SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
• SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
• SQL Server 2005
• Visual Basic .NET
• Visual Basic 2005: Dev. Apps
• Visual C# .NET
• Visual C# 2005: Dev. Apps
• Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office
• Windows Server 2003

Get your free CD-ROM or download now!

lynda.com Announces Release of Ruby on Rails Essential Training

January 26, 2007 -- lynda.com, the company that has specialized in self-paced training in digital media and design for over a decade, today introduced Ruby on Rails Essential Training.

Ruby on Rails aims to make building web applications simpler. In Ruby on Rails Essential Training, expert instructor Kevin Skoglund focuses on the same goal. He explains the complete process -- from understanding the fundamental concepts behind any Ruby on Rails project to creating full-featured, easy-to-maintain applications using the Ruby on Rails framework. Using the practical project of building an online store as an example, Skoglund teaches the basics of the Ruby language. He also covers how to design an application, how to build dynamic interfaces, how to structure and interact with databases, how to create a working shopping cart, and how to regulate user access with passwords. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.

"Ruby on Rails is one of the most quickly adopted and widely heralded new web programming languages. Kevin Skoglund's practical, concise, and clear training style will help legions of newcomers get up and running quickly and efficiently," says Lynda Weinman, CEO of lynda.com.

Anyone with an internet connection can access Ruby on Rails Essential Training by subscribing to lynda.com's Online Training Library™. A separate DVD version of Ruby on Rails Essential Training is scheduled for release later this month.

Subscriptions to the lynda.com Online Training Library™ start at $25 per month, and provide access to more than 16,500 movie tutorials covering a wide range of technology career tools, software, and techniques. Subscribers can access any of the computer-based training titles at their convenience. Multi-user subscriptions are also available for companies and institutions seeking to provide education and training to groups.

For free online samples of Ruby on Rails Essential Training and more detailed product information, please visit http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=324.

For more information on lynda.com products, please visit http://www.lynda.com or call 1-888-335-9632.

About lynda.com
Since 1997, lynda.com has provided education and technical training solutions for designers, computer graphics specialists, digital media users, and computer owners. lynda.com products include web-based training, instructional books, CD- and DVD-based video training, self-paced online learning, and events for creative designers, instructors, students, and hobbyists. lynda.com specializes in teaching fundamental design and graphics principles along with the latest computer software, digital media technologies, and techniques.

Source: PRWeb

Don't Be a Slave to Your Database, PostgreSQL Bootcamp- April 23-27, 2007

Atlanta, GA - January 15, 2007 -- Big Nerd Ranch, Inc. announced the first in the line-up of 2007 dates for the industry's premier PostgreSQL training, the PostgreSQL Bootcamp from April 23-27, 2007. The five-day intensive class, taught by PostgreSQL expert and experienced instructor, Chris Campbell, sets the industry standard in PostgreSQL training by providing the most comprehensive class available. After five days, novice students emerge fully skilled in the ability to design and administer a PostgreSQL database environment.
Over the course of five days, Chris navigates students through an exhaustive examination of PosgreSQL 8.2; from building and installing a PostgreSQL server to advanced level functions such as Slony-I replication, pgpool and more. The class is structured into approximately 30 unit0s of short lectures followed by immediate hands-on practice of lesson content. Key topics include:

• Creating a cluster with initdb
• Configuring, starting and stopping the server
• pgAdmin and phpPgAdmin
• Creating databases and schemas
• Security and OpenSSL
• Slony-I replication
• PL/pgSQL and C functions
• Full-text indexing, views, triggers and rules
• Query plans, optimization and benchmarking
• pgpool, libpq (C client library) and DBI (Perl client library)

To view the complete class syllabus, please visit http://bignerdranch.com/classes/postgresql.shtml

For students to achieve the maximum results from the class, it is highly recommended that students attending the class be familiar with the UNIX command line, simple SQL statements and basic programming concepts.

"PostgreSQL is rapidly becoming one of the key technologies for the Open Source developer," commented Aaron Hillegass, Big Nerd Ranch founder. "Whether you're developing a web application using any of the major frameworks or developing a standard, database-driven application, PostgreSQL's robustness and scaleability adeptly handles any database challenge. Database administrators and developers receiving PostgreSQL training at the Big Nerd Ranch will be able to immediately leverage their knowledge into any database project."

Chris Campbell came to the Big Nerd Ranch in 2002 after having developed an impressive track record working for Cisco systems as a programmer and system administrator supporting the 12000-series GSR routers. In addition, he worked for an Atlanta-area IT consulting firm honing his skills solving cross-platform and networking challenges. Since assuming his role as PostgreSQL Bootcamp instructor, Chris has developed and fine-tuned the curriculum and instructional materials into one of the flagship courses in the Big Nerd Ranch schedule of classes.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit www.bignerdranch.com.

Source: PRWeb

The Python is Ready to Strike! -- Python Bootcamp May 21-25, 2007

Atlanta, GA - February 15, 2007 -- Big Nerd Ranch, Inc., leading provider of week-long intensive training classes for developers and system administrators, announced today the addition of Python guru David Beazley to its family of instructors. Dave will be bringing his extensive expertise when he takes over the reins of the next Python Bootcamp, scheduled for May 21-25, 2007. David Beazley is the author of the "Python Essential Reference" and the developer of several open-source software development tools, including SWIG (a popular tool for integrating C/C++ programs with other programming languages including Python, Perl, Tcl, Ruby, PHP, and Java) and PLY (a Python version of the lex/yacc parsing tools).

Dave offers both a unique approach to Python instruction and the only five day course of its kind to provide context as well as content. Most Python training focuses solely on providing as much information on coding in the language itself, rather than positing that language within a larger organizational rubric. Big Nerd Ranch's Python Bootcamp takes Python training one step further. By acknowledging that application development exists within a larger institutional framework and existing networks, the course provides a comprehensive introduction to the Python language followed by detailed coverage of object-oriented programming, systems programming, network programming, Python extension programming and functional programming techniques. Python Bootcamp takes advantage of all the latest developments in Python, and students will reap the benefits of Python's newest features.

Python is the ultimate glue language -- it makes it easy to pull some data from a relational database, match it up with some data from a web service, and use the resulting information to create an XML file or a PDF report. Besides teaching language constructs, Dave's class addresses the reality of how Python is used to access existing systems in new ways," said Aaron Hillegass of the Big Nerd Ranch.

Python Bootcamp at Big Nerd Ranch assumes no previous experience in Python, but students attending the class should be familiar with another object-oriented programming language (Java or C++) and scripting language (Perl, Unix, etc.). Upon completion of Python Bootcamp, students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Develop significant applications in Python
• Understand the Python object model and be able to apply object-oriented programming principles
• Write programs that process different kinds of data including text files, databases and XML
• Utilize built-in modules for systems and network programming
• Integrate Python with other programming languages and use it as a scripting language

Students attending the training class will emerge not only with the ability to develop sophisticated applications in Python, but will also have a complex understanding of how those applications integrate with native environments.

The complete class description and syllabus are available at http://bignerdranch.com/classes/python.shtml.

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac OS X programmers in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of $3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour lab access, and ground transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information, call 678-595-6773 or visit http://www.bignerdranch.com/.

Source: PRWeb