[cdmwebs]

This is where tools like https://www.nitrous.io are awesome. We just hosted a RailsBridge-type event and we used Nitrous. Highly recommend this for teaching.

[DanielKehoe]

Here's my article about getting started with Rails on Nitrous.io:

http://railsapps.github.io/rubyonrails-nitrous-io.html

Nitrous.io is a great way for any beginner to get started, especially for those using Windows.