In this inaugural episode of the Ruby Gems Podcast, hosted by Marty Haught and David Hill, guest Chad Fowler shares the founding story of Ruby Central and the development of Ruby Gems. Fowler, a key figure in the Ruby community, discusses the early days of Ruby conferences, the creation of Ruby Central as a nonprofit, and the collaborative effort to build Ruby Gems. The conversation also covers the rise of Ruby on Rails, community dynamics, and the importance of the 'MINSWAN' philosophy. Tune in for an insightful look into the foundational moments of the Ruby ecosystem and the people who shaped it.

00:00 Introduction to the Ruby Gems Podcast

00:46 Meet Chad Fowler: A Ruby Central Founder

01:42 The Humble Beginnings of Ruby Central

03:03 The First RubyConf: A Small but Impactful Start

04:17 Establishing Ruby Central as a Nonprofit

05:17 The Evolution of RubyConf

09:09 The Birth of RubyGems

15:12 The Rise of Ruby on Rails

19:14 Rails vs Ruby: The Early Days

20:11 The Rise of Ruby in the Job Market

21:05 The Rails Revolution: 2005-2006

26:57 O'Reilly's Influence and the Rails Comp

30:16 The Merb vs Rails Conflict

32:06 The Impact of Matz and the Ruby Community

37:29 Ruby Roundup: Rapid Fire Questions

41:02 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Get to know the people and stories shaping the Ruby community. Hosted by David Hill and Marty Haught, The Ruby Gems Podcast shares conversations with developers, maintainers, and leaders making an impact. Subscribe and catch our first episode soon!