I know that using `dirty` or `changed?` is useful in a `before_commit` situation or before the model is saved. After the model is saved, `previous_changes` gives the changes. Which is great. But,

How can I check if a specific attribute was changed in a controller if it looks like

```
def update
 @item = Item.find(params[:id])
if @item.update_attributes(item_params)
 # horray
 # check if the :name changed, if so do something about it
else
 # d'oh
end
end

```

Is there a better way than doing `!@item.previous_changes[:name].nil?`