Ask HN: Best framework for photo heavy web application? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Best framework for photo heavy web application?

4 pointstevers13 comments

What are the pros and cons of Python/RoR for image based application? I am aware that Pinterest and Instagram use python and lesser known (stipple, mulu.me) image based companies went rails.

View on HN

The language probably won't matter so much. I think you will have just as big a job in business development, design and marketing.

So why not look for a technical cofounder who is quite competent in either python or ruby. Then you can have them do the bulk of the coding and possibly oversee some development by other freelancer/s. Head to a ruby or python meetup, ask if you can jump up for 2 minutes and introduce yourself. There will probably be cofounder speed dating type events in your local area as well.

To pipe up about languages and frameworks, make sure when you build that you are considering Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) so when the time comes you are able to break off the pieces that experience higher load. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service-oriented_architecture

Stipple went with Rails for the sole reason that we were able to iterate and release very quickly in the beginning when I was the only one coding on it, and my expertise is in Ruby and Rails.

We're now heavily Backbone-based on the frontend, however. You should use what you're most comfortable with, as being able to iterate quickly is most important at the start of a project.

As mhd says, the backend is really more important. We're using MySQL, Redis, Cassandra, and a custom Erlang/mnesia based store in ours.

(full disclosure - I'm Stipple's co-founder and CTO)

Thanks! Very insightful! I admire what you and your team have done at stipple and I think it will be huge. With similar aspirations to 'disrupt' an already proven industry away from the norm I am inspired by your progress and feedback! Much success!

thanks!

I use Django for http://picc.it

There isn't really any reason to pick Django over RoR besides the fact that you know one technology better.

Although, personally I prefer Python because scaling Python via Cython plugins is far easier than RoR via FFI plugins, since you just take prewritten code and annotate types and algorithms to get to the bare metal.

You mentioned that you are an idea guy with a budget, why don't you get in touch my email is in my profile.

Appreciate the input and will do

Personally, I don't dev much in either one except occasional python so I'm not an expert here (also probably python biased). But If I were to choose I'd go python because I know the PIL and pythonmagickwand libs are good. Plus python has a more extensive lib set ( in terms of areas i.e. systems, networking, etc) than ruby, and I would think getting Python programmers would be easier and cheaper than Ruby ones...

Thanks for the feedback. Lincoln Loop http://lincolnloop.com/ is the leading Python/Django dev shop I've found so far. Please refer any others that you may know of. Thanks again

I think this is the wrong part of the puzzle to worry about. Pick whatever you're familiar with for the basic CRUD stuff. The two more complicated bits are a scalable backend and probably some reasonably "hip" interactive frontend (i.e. JavaScript). Whether that's something to worry about from the start is another matter…

I apologize. I should have been more specific. I'm not a developer. Just an 'idea guy' with a budget. Vetting dev shops to build prototype, some specialize in Django and others in RoR. Just would apreciate and advice that may be beneficial. Thanks

My advice is always use what you know best and I think a lot of people will agree. I've always looked at these questions like this: "What brand of tools should I build my house with?". It doesn't matter. Use what you have.

Thanks for the response.

Advice received so far; PYTHON-Scales easier,Find more and cheaper programmers,

RoR-

Reply on news.ycombinator.com