Script.aculo.us is indeed spectaculous. By writing a few lines of ROR code, you could create UI effects that reqiured great manipulation in javascript using DOM.  The most popular part of script.aculo.us is the visual effects, using the Effect object. These effects are very dynamic, almost flashlike, yet they do not need any plugins and are very reliable in cross-platform compatibility. So, let's get to the eye candy. I promise you that you will spend more time enjoying the effects than writing it :)

The first thing lets make sure we have a working Ruby on Rails environment. You’ll also need a database of course.

You are going need at least 1.1 version of Rails for this tutorial. If you don’t have Rails running consider InstantRails for Windows or if you are on a Mac try Locomotive. But for the purpose of this tutorial you might want Windows as Flex Builder is only installable on Windows for now. You can use the Flex compiler on a Mac but the Builder IDE is just so much easier. I’m ok, i have a dual booting MBP ;-)

A few of my friends asked me how I picked up Ruby on Rails. I basically went from knowing next to nothing about programming to being able to put together web sites like this one in a matter of just a few months. Here are the steps I took:

1. Went to the great ONLamp tutorial on Ruby on Rails and rolled through it. Although almost 2 years old at this stage I still think it's a great introduction!

In this conclusion to a six-part series covering web development and Ruby on Rails, you'll learn how to send error messages to your email and more. This article is excerpted from chapter 15 of the Ruby Cookbook, written by Lucas Carlson and Leonard Richardson (O'Reilly, 2006; ISBN: 0596523696). Copyright © 2006 O'Reilly Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission from the publisher. Available from booksellers or direct from O'Reilly Media.