[instakill]

Rails isn't for beginners, but neither is any web development framework that you intend to use seriously. Sure you can use Sinatra or Padrino in the Ruby stable to get a web app out, but if you want a medium to large scale, comprehensive application, you'll almost inevitably go with Rails (again, the Ruby stable) if only for the gem ecosystem.

I've just entered my 13th month of Ruby/Rails learning coming from an HTML background (I say with my tongue in my cheek), and had no prior database or OOP exposure. A LOT of time since I've started has been wasted, where days and weeks would go by without me touching Ruby literature or exercises, but here I am. I wouldn't say I'm a noob anymore, and I won't say I'm great, but I've definitely got enough of a grasp to build things with it.

If you're going to go ahead and skip the advice of the OP's post, then let me give you this advice, be persistent. As steep as that curve can be, just keep at it, and don't expect to have "the web app that does..." ready any time soon.