From FTP to Kamal - 20 Years of Deploying Rails

Explore the evolution of Rails deployment methods in this 26-minute conference talk that chronicles two decades of technological progress from basic FTP uploads to modern containerized solutions. Journey through the historical landscape of Rails deployment, starting with the early days of FTP and CGI, progressing through the revolutionary impact of Capistrano, Passenger, and Heroku's game-changing git-based deployment model, and culminating with contemporary Docker and Kamal implementations. Discover the tools, workarounds, and hard-learned lessons that shaped Rails operations over 20 years, including nostalgic references to Mongrel, FastCGI, and the transformative moment of executing your first 'git push heroku' command. Gain insights into the community-driven innovations that defined each era of Rails deployment, from the Wild West atmosphere of early web development to today's sophisticated containerized environments. Learn about the battle-tested solutions, occasional frustrations, and breakthrough moments that characterized each phase of Rails deployment evolution. Whether you're a newcomer to Rails deployment or a veteran who remembers the script/server days, experience a celebration of technological progress filled with war stories, community recognition, and appreciation for the foundational projects that enabled modern deployment practices.