While I love Rails and Ruby (and learned a ton from Railscasts), the future of the web is building a separate RESTful API + separate static JavaScript browser app + any other devices like mobile, Glass, etc (opposed to nesting client-side JS apps under assets).
Edit: In response to the downvotes, let me clarify: I think Ryan is running out of topics in the context of Rails. He's a great teacher and I'm a paid pro subscriber.
That being said - how would you reenergize in his shoes?
He's been chasing the edge of Rails development for so long - is that where the subscribers come from?
It seems like he gets OVER THE TOP response every time he does a more 'newbie' Railscast - so maybe here are some options to maybe reenergize and keep the subscriber base - what would you like to see?
- More Rails newbie stuff - Exactly like before, after a break - More Multi-session 'building a complete app' - Guest speaker sessions - Evolve to more of a 'how to tackle programmer challenges' - Evolve to more of a 'building web apps' vs. 'only Rails' (ember, meteor, Go)
What else?
But still, part of me has to wonder, how much of this is TextMate Syndrome[1]? By which I mean, how much did Railscasts end up earning?
I was signed up for about a year -- $108. Ignoring those who would pay their personal money, and just considering those who could expense it (a whopping $9 per month!), I have always just assumed (but don't know) than many thousands of others must have subscribed.
Making hundreds of thousands of dollars more than you expected does really make it harder to keep working on some nerd shit, instead of... not doing that.
Ryan's resources were invaluable to me when I made the transition to rails. While I would be sad if Ryan decided to not come back, I would happily continue to pay. It truly is the least I can do.
Thank you for everything, Ryan. Come back soon!
Spin up another account then cancel it!
Ryan, if you are reading these: You have been doing Rails stuff for quite a while now. If you think, its getting repetitive and not challenging enough, it might not be a bad idea to diversify the screen casts away from Rails. Node, golang or anything that ignites the keen learner in you. I am sure you will do a great job making those technologies accessible to the uninitiated. Of course Ryan knows best :)
Good luck ryan!