[stevenou]

I think ORMs are there to make developing easier - but doesn't obviate the need for the user to understand how the underlying database works. For one based on my understanding of their use-case, could've used a validation :on => :create only. Likewise, if case-insensitivity is needed, they can enforce that on record insertion or, if they're using something else like MySQL, just use case insensitive collation. The fact that I know how to write SQL doesn't mean it's always easier/faster/better than using an ORM...

[megous]

> I think ORMs are there to make developing easier

Only for object oriented apps, where you want to tightly link behavior to your objects. For other kinds of app architectures, there may be no relational/object oriented mismatch to smooth out.