gistfile1.rbx

# drop this in a ruby file in my_rails_app/config/initializers
# restart your rails and app you're good to go!

class String

  # remove middle from strings exceeding max length.
  def ellipsize(options={})
     max = options[:max] || 40
     delimiter = options[:delimiter] || "..."
     return self if self.size <= max
     offset = max/2
     self[0,offset] + delimiter + self[-offset,offset]
  end

  # reduce a string to a max word count
	def truncate_words(options={})
		max = options[:max] || 40
		ending = options[:ending] || "..."
		words = text.split(" ")
		return self words.size <= max
    words[0..(max-1)].join(' ') + (words.size > max ? ending : '')
  end

end