Offshore Web Development - Benefits and Challenges

The practice of outsourcing development or maintenance of various projects has become quite a common trend nowadays. This is mainly done so as to cut the cost of development as well as maintenance, as it is seen that offshore technicians or developers charge much lesser than their local counterparts in web development. However, when we speak of offshore development, the practice has its own advantages as well as disadvantages that need to be addressed at length.

Let us at first deal with the advantages of offshore web development.

Fast development backed by expertise

In majority of occasions, web development is outsourced to those vendors who are specialized in this field. These vendors are not only pretty experienced, but are properly equipped with specific equipment and are rich with high level technical expertise that at times surpass the one that is available to the outsourcing business. This results in faster as well as hassle free development with a much better output.

This helps to concentrate on the core processes instead of the supporting and ancillary processes

Once the supporting or ancillary processes are outsourced, there is no need to deal with them anymore. Thus, it becomes possible to deal with the core processes and strengthen the process to a considerable extent.

Sharing of Risk

One of the most vital factors that determine the outcome or the end result of a particular campaign is analysis of risk. Outsourcing certain ancillary components of a projects helps businesses to transfer some of the responsibilities to the offshore vendor(s). As these vendors are generally specialized and have a lot of experience under their belt, they are in a better position so far as risk management is concerned.

Reduced Operational as well as Recruitment Cost

Once businesses start outsourcing projects, they are in no need to hire professionals for in-house operations. Naturally, this drastically reduces the operational as well as recruitment cost to a large extent. This is in fact one of the most important advantages of offshore outsourcing.

Let us now discuss with some of the challenges or shortcomings that are associated with outsourcing.

Lack of appropriate skills

Offshore centers of development are generally mass production centers, which take up projects from various sources from all over the world simultaneously. Thus, the presence of too many projects results in mass production and this may at times turn the production sloppy and lackluster. Also, on certain occasions the developers lack the appropriate skills to develop projects with the required finesse, thus hampering the quality of the end products to a considerable extent.

Details of the projects

At times it may so happen that the offshore development companies look forward to just complete the projects by hook or by crook without even looking into the details of the technicalities properly. Thus, they often have the tendency of underestimating the time that is needed to complete the projects, which in the long run not only increases the cost of production by overshooting deadlines, but also hampers the quality to a great extent.

Lack of legal power

As on most of the occasions the offshore vendors are located in different countries, the outsourcing companies do not have any control on what is being sold, against what were purposed or proposed. Besides, if there is any instance of breach of contract or if the vendor companies fiddle with sensitive and confidential information, there is hardly anything that the outsourcing companies can do from the legal point of view. Also, due to distance and other issues, it does not make any sense of carrying any legal battle with the vendors.

Cultural and language issues

This is one of the most significant challenges in outsourcing web development projects. The vendor companies to which the projects are outsourced are generally located in non English speaking countries. As such, the projects are often plagued by misinterpretation of briefing due to language problem resulting in altered results along with not-up-to-the-mark quality. Moreover, the cultural differences at times lead to misinterpretation of certain terms and terminology that affects the end product to a considerable extent. You can hire web developers from custom software development India companies, who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide web development services. If you would like to hire offshore developers from web application development India service provider, please contact Mindfire Soltutions.

Top 7 HTML5 APIs worth looking into

Many reports have highlighted that HTML5 will dominate the web application and mobile application development scene in 2014. As the applications written in HTML5 can run across all types of devices, web browsers and operating systems, it becomes easier for developers to build robust apps within a shorter span of time. Further, they do not have to put any extra effort to build different versions of the application for specific platforms. The growing popularity of HTML has further encouraged many developers to add innovative features to APIs to overcome the lack of browser support. Each developer can use these HTML5 APIs to deliver richer user experience without writing any additional code.

Seven HTML5 APIs Developers Must Look Into

1) High Resolution Time API

The interface allows you to get the current time in sub-millisecond resolution. Also, the time provided by the interface is free from system clock adjustments. Despite being simple, the API will help developers in measuring the performance of their software accurately. The accurate and precise timestamp enables them to test their code in an exact and flawless way. However, the programmers have to evaluate the function in a manner similar to JavaScript Date.now() function.

2) Navigation Timing API

An application’s page load time has a huge impact on user experience. So developers have to identify and troubleshoot the slow-loading pages to deliver richer user experience. The Navigation Timing API enables developers to get detailed timing information when a page is being loaded. At the same time, the interface further allows them to get additional information like TCP connection establishment, DDNS lookup, page redirects and time spent to build the DOM.

3) Network Information API

The user experience of a web application can be optimized by customizing the pages based on the user’s internet connection. The Network Information APIs makes it easier for developers to estimate the bandwidth and type of internet connection the use has. So the information provided by the interface helps them in optimizing the behavior of a web page. For instance, based on the type of connection, images, videos and fonts can be loaded in a conditional way.

4) Battery Status API

Often developers avoid mobile applications that require additional resources when the battery is low. The interface makes it easier for programmers to check the status of the battery of a mobile device. They have option to use four different properties of the interface to check if the battery is in charge, the current level of the battery, and the seconds remaining till the battery is fully recharged or discharged. Thus, they can optimize the page according to the state of the battery by disabling non-critical JavaScript and CSS animations, and Ajax requests.

5) Page Visibility API

As the name indicates, the interface enables programmers to check the current visibility status of a page. The information provided by the API will help developers in optimizing their web applications according to the available CPU and bandwidth. Also, they can disable or slow down a process that requires additional bandwidth or CPU, but not being accessed by the user currently. Thus, the interface will enable programmers to improve user experience by building CPU and bandwidth efficient web applications.

6) Fullscreen API

The interface is designed to receive and execute full screen display requests from the user. Also, it exits from the full screen mode when the user wants to. Based on its functionality, the API exposes the requestFullscreen() and exitFullscreen() methods. The former method executes the fullscreen request for an element, whereas the latter exits the fullscreen mode. The developers can use the interface to check if the fullscreen mode is enables or disabled.

7) WebSocket API

The performance of a web application also depends on the socket connection between the browser and server. With the interface, the developers can enables Web pages to establish a two-way communication with the remote host through the WebSocket protocol. The persistent communication between browser and server will result in smooth and uninterrupted exchange of data. However, the developers must create and instantiate a WebSocket object to establish a connection through the interface.

Each developer has option to choose from a variety of HTML5 APIs from the W3Schools website. The website further categorizes the APIs under different headings to make it easier for programmers to choose the APIs according to specific needs of a project. You can get in touch with a custom HTML5 Development company who can help you build HTML5 app within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide HTML5 UI design and prototyping services. If you would like to hire HTML5 programmers for your web development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Smart ways to customize WordPress themes

Those who are new to WordPress think that code tinkering in this platform is a tough as well as daunting task. However, the reality is that the feel and look of the site along with themes in WordPress may be customized by incorporating some truly simple changes. But these changes should not be introduced in the themes directly. First of all, child themes should be created, and this should be followed by dealing with the offline files so that the changes can be seamlessly introduced. When working in this way, it can ensured that while tweaking the code, if any issue crops up inadvertently, the original files can always be accessed. They can then be re-uploaded quickly so that the changes can be overwritten.

Creating child theme- Themes inheriting another theme's functionality as well as style are known as child themes while the themes they inherit are called parent themes. You do not need to alter the parent theme files when you add new style changes and functionality through child themes. While parent themes are being updated, child themes should never be touched. Child theme creation is quite simple- just create one file along with one folder on the local computer. Name the folder with the child theme's name. A unique identifier can also be added to the name. Now create another file within that folder, adding .css suffix to it. Specific information should be inserted as well through a code. Mostly generic information is contained by the code; the child theme should also have styling information. After incorporating all the changes as well as saving them, the child theme should be added to the WordPress installation by connecting the web host with FTP program. Browse to the required folder to upload the child theme folder that contains the new file. Activate the theme to edit it. This is the most commonly accepted method.

Theme customization API- The admin screen of WordPress Theme Customization can be customized by developers by allowing the site admins to change settings of the themes to see preview of the changes in real time. The theme can have more interactive as well as powerful options for customization through this. Your very own options can be added with the use of two hooks - wp_head which allows your output of custom-generated CSS and customize_register which allows defining new customizer controls, sections as well as settings.

Using custom code instead of plugins- The wonderful aspect of plugin allows the transformation of websites, enabling you to do almost anything that you want. Plugins often need a lot of code; they are also accompanied by management issues since they have to be updated and potential security issues handled. Adding too many plugins can make a website bloated and slow the loading time. So custom codes are the best option. You will just have to add some code lines to the proper file. Taht will reduce the load on the website and keep everything tidy.

Addition of new functions to theme with PHP codes- Another good way of adding changes is using PHP codes. If you want to improve functions of a theme, the location of the function can easily be found through the use of custom-functions.php. Through this you can easily change layouts, add new functions, integrate with plugins, etc. Just find out the correct file and the section or part that has to be remove, replaced, changed or duplicated so that the customizing can be done. The codes have to be checked carefully so that those available in the template can be used to change the layout.

Although using child theme code is the commonly accepted method, there are other methods which may be used as well for this end. In fact, if your requirements are small and include some minor coding, then you can use custom CSS by adding CSS editor to the backend. Just install custom CSS editor to edit it and you will be done with your job. You can get in touch with a Wordpress website development company who can help you customize WordPress themes and build websites within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide WordPress development services. If you would like to hire expert WordPress developers for your web development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

How Javascript Is Remaking The Web?

Javascript can be defined as a language that facilitates client-side programming, the processing engine of which comes up with a string of browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Netscape, and so on. This helps the processing search engine in reading and interpreting the pages that contain the relevant javascript code while browsing.

Perhaps it would be an understatement to say that Javascript has revolutionized the world of web. Such has been the impact of Javacript on the web, it has become an absolutely indispensable part of the internet world. Even this last statement, perhaps falls short of expressing the importance of Javasctipt in the world of internet. So, let us see how Javascript is remaking the web, for that will itself act as a testament which will underline its importance!

Javascript can be termed as the most handy as well as pertinent solution that can be implemented, when it comes to validating various input forms on the client's end. This technically implies, that in case a user forgets to enter his or her name in any form, a function of Javascript validation will be able to pop up a text, warning the individual about the mistake. This is, naturally a much superior solution than the conventional validation on the server side, that routinely handles the error, just because the server does not have to carry out any extra processing activities.

ASP as well a PHP routine can be scripted to have the same task done. However, the advantage with Javascript is that it would not allow the user to submit the form unless the individual completely fills it up without any mistake(s) whatsoever. This can well be termed as quite a robust solution, that has in one way revolutionized the web world as it helps in creating a number of dynamic image effects!

Now let us look at some other ways in which Javascipt has revolutionized the web. The scripting language has incorporated a number of page effects that has changed the web altogether. The effects that the language allows, include displaying the time for which the user stays on the page, Collapsing texts, option to print page and elements, Toggle Buttons, Image Transitions, Popups along with tooltips, Scrolling Banners, Flying Texts, Image Transitions, color changes and color fades, embedded audio, page timeout, automated popups, font sizing and fades, news scrollers, ultimate fader and so on.

The special effects that are incorporated on the web pages with the help of Javascript make the pages more interactive, thereby increasing their efficacy by many folds.

Apart from imparting special effects, Javascript also incorporates seamless integration with the end user plug ins. Moreover, apart from providing access to the HTML objects, the language also provides access to the objects that are browser as well as platform-specific such as the browser plugins like Adobe Acrobat, Media Player, etc. It also helps in initial validation of the clients for checking certain simple errors like a missing information, alphabetic characters mistakenly placed in a field that is designated for numeric characters and so on.

Javasript also helps by allowing access to the system information and makes a website exceedingly attractive by adding some amount of interactivity along with dynamics to the HTML pages. After all, no one would like to visit a web page, that contains only one page and that too, jammed with too much of texts. The web page should look attractive, trendy, as well as pertinent to the business it markets, and Javasript helps in that in a great way!

So in a nutshell, Javascript has revolutionized websites by incorporating various value added features that include seamless calculations, form validation, effortless user interaction, manipulation of the elements of the pages, providing catchy visual effects to the sites, and helping in performing dynamic functions. You can build apps within allocated budgets and time schedules through companies having JavaScript Ajax development expertise.

We provide JavaScript application development services. If you would like to hire javaScript developers for your web development projects, please contact us Mindfire Solutions.

Experiments in HTML5: Digital Racing Tracks

Many enterprises were skeptical about the success of HTML5 in the initial years. But within a shorter span of time, the markup language is being used widely to presenting and structuring a variety of content for the web. A number of recent reports have highlighted how a constant increase is noted in the number of mobile apps being implemented by using the updated version of HTML. Many organizations are also carrying out experiments in HTML5 synchronize devices running of different mobile platforms.

Before a few months, a multi-device and multi-player Chrome experiment called Racer created a buzz by allowing the use to play the game simultaneously with five distinct players. The slot car game enabled users to create digital racing tracks by lining up five smartphones or tables. Thus, multiple users can compete with each other side-by-side on the digital racing track at a time. As the game runs completely on Chrome, it becomes easier for users to synchronize multiple mobile devices and build digital racing tracks.

Innovative Technologies Used in Building the Digital Racing Tracks

HTML5 Canvas Elements

The car slot game is developed using HTML5. So it can run on both Android and iOS devices that allow users to install the Chrome browser. After installing mobile Chrome on his device, a user can simply point the mobile web browser to “chrome.com/racer” to setup and play the game. Instead of conventional ASCII-animation, the game uses HTML canvas elements to deliver pixel-perfect and speed animation.

Paper.js

As an open source vector graphics scripting framework, Paper.js runs on top of the HTML5 canvas. It further makes it easier for developers to build vector graphics and bezier curves by using an effective programming interface. The JavaScript vector library provided by Paper.js is used by Racer to create custom tracks, and facilitate the fluid movement of cars. At the same time, Paper.js is also effective in preventing the path math across multiple mobile devices from getting lapped.

Web Audio API

The Web Audio API is used by many applications to process and synthesize audio. The powerful JavaScript API is used by Racer to make the soundtrack react according to the movement of each user. However, the API will work only on the devices that where it is supported. If the device supports the API, users can enjoy dynamic soundtrack while accelerating, colliding, coasting or careening. The dynamic mixing of Giorgio Moroder’s symphony further makes the gaming experience both exciting and realistic.

WebSockets

Many applications, nowadays, use WebSockets to maintain persistent communication between the client and server. The specification further defines an API that can be used to establish and maintain socket connection between a web browser and server. Racer used WebSockets to facilitate uninterrupted communication between different devices. The efficient and persistent communication also results in movement of drivers. Also, the specification further helps in synchronizing the race by facilitating a rapid and multi-way conversation through sharing of data from the server.

Google Cloud Platform

Racer also avails the combined benefits of Google’s App Engine, Cloud Storage, and Compute Engine. Many enterprises use Cloud platform to build, deploy and test a variety of applications on the reliable and highly-scalable infrastructure provided by Google. The scalable Cloud architecture from Google provides a solid base to the slot car game to run on. Along with reliable hosting, the quality infrastructure further enables Racer for speedy computation and quick load balancing.

Despite being a simpler experiment in HTML5, Racer will encourage more enterprises to build mobile applications that deliver multi-user or multi-player experience. The slot game can be further updated to create larger digital racing tracks that spread across more mobile screens. The early experience further highlights how HTML5 and related technologies can be used to build innovative mobile applications. You can get in touch with a custom HTML5 development company who can help you build html5 web apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide HTML5 web development services. If you would like to speak to one of our expert HTML5 developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Why Outsource Flash to HTML5 Conversion Services?

The security flaws in Adobe Flash Player have affected its popularity negatively. A constant increase is also noted in the number of enterprises switching to HTML5 from Flash. Within a very short span of time HTML5 is being used widely to build web-based games, online animation and multimedia. The technology is currently being supported by major HTML browsers including Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. So the content developed using HTML5 can be accessed by users on both web browsers and mobile devices. The rapidly growing popularity of HTML5 has encouraged companies like Google and Adobe to launch tools that automatically converts Flash to HTML5. However, an organization can avail several advantages by outsourcing the Flash to HTML5 conversion services.

5 Reasons Why Outsource Flash to HTML5 Conversion Services

1) Hire the Best Conversion Specialist

Each enterprise can outsource its Flash to HTML5 conversion project to hire experienced, skilled and highly qualified conversion specialists without any hassle. It is always challenging to switch to a new technology. So there are always chances that the professionals have to address and resolve new issues to make the process smooth and fast. The skills, expertise and experience of the conversion specialist will ensure that the converted files are delivered without putting any extra effort or funds. Also, the team can handle complex projects and high volume of data within a stipulated timeframe.

2) Reduce the Turnaround Time

An organization has option to convert online videos, multimedia and advertisements to HTML5. But complex Flash games and visualization applications cannot be converted to HTML quickly. Similarly, some of the functionality in Flash can be converted only be deploying a team of seasoned professionals. So an organization can always outsource the project to reduce turnaround time for converted file delivery. The company converting HTML to Flash can further deploy additional resources to complete the complex and large projects on schedule.

3) Use the State of the Art Conversion Tools

There are several ways to convert Flash to HTML5. In addition to using the Flash to HTML 5 Online Converter, you can also use Adobe Wallaby or Google Swiffy. But each of these tools has its own limitations. For instance, Wallaby converts the animation and artwork created as Flash Professional (FLA) files. Similarly, Swiffy converts Flash (SWF) files to HTML5 to make the files reusable on devices without running Flash Player. So the choice of conversion tools and methods will vary according to the size and complexity level of the application. There are also chances that the conversion can be optimized by using multiple tools and techniques. When an organization outsources the Flash to HTML5 conversion project, it can avail customized conversion tools, along with the service of expert conversion specialists.

4) 100% Error-Free Documentation

While switching to HTML5, you must ensure that the converted files can be used by your team without any hassle. In addition to replacing your existing website content and advertisements, the HTL5 also be used for marketing and advertisement purposes. So your in-house team must understand detailed information about each converted file. Each converted file also needs to be documented accurately to be used conveniently. You can avail 100% error-free documentation by outsourcing the conversion without deploying any additional manpower or resources.

5) Reduce Conversion Time and Cost

When you decide to outsource Flash to HTML5 conversion project, there are option to choose from several conversion service providers. Along with hiring freelance conversion specialist, you also have option to hire companies offering conversion services. So you can always choose the best option according to the complexity level and requirements of your project. You also have option to outsource the project to an offshore conversion service provider to save money. The company will ensure that the conversion project is completed on time, without escalating the project cost.

Before outsourcing its Flash to HTML5 conversion services, an organization must make a comprehensive plan to identify the online videos, animation and advertisements to be converted. Also, it must emphasize on making the HTML5 content accessible on the latest mobile devices and web browsers. HTML5 mobile apps development teams can help you conversion within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide Flash to HTML5 Migration Services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our certified HTML5 developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Why More People Select WordPress than Drupal to Build Websites

Despite being two distinct content management systems, WordPress and Drupal are similar in a number of ways. Along with being open source and free-to-download, each content management system is also being used to build a variety of websites. But there is a huge difference in the popularity and market share of these two CMS. According to a number of recent reports, WordPress dominates is the number one CMS with a market share of 42%. The themes, plug-ins and widgets provided by the CMS further enable users to build robust websites without possessing in technical experience. At the same time, Drupal offers several powerful and user-friendly tools to build complex websites at a rapid pace. However, there are several factors that make more people choose WordPress over Drupal to build websites.

5 Reasons Why People Prefer WordPress to Drupal for Building Websites

1) User-Friendly

In comparison to Drupal, WordPress is considered to be more user-friendly. The CMS further offers many plug-ins, themes and widgets to make it easier for developers to build websites. These tools can even be used by users who do not have any prior experience in web development. As WordPress was originally designed as an easy-to-use blogging platform, the users have option to combine blogs and websites to add posts, pages, images and other content without putting any extra effort. Further, a user can easily learn WordPress to build his first website or blog within a short span of time.

2) Cost Efficient

Some recent reports have highlighted how Drupal developers earn much more than WordPress developer. However, the earnings of Drupal developers are no way related to the market share of the content management system. The high cost is purely due to the extra time and efforts required to build a website using Drupal. Also, the websites can be developed only by experienced and skilled developers. Therefore, most enterprises opt for WordPress to save money. As no experience or technical skills are required to build a WordPress application, the small and local businesses can build websites without investing a lot of money.

3) Easy to Update the Website

Unlike Drupal, WordPress is developed as a browser-based program. So the CMS allows authorized users to manage their websites by logging in from any computer. These features further enable professionals to manage and update their websites on the go. Further, the website can be updated without writing any additional HTML code or using FTP. The customized tools provided by WordPress can be used to update or manage the website anytime and anywhere.

4) Availability of Developers

The scarcity of developers also affects the popularity of a website development platform. Many reports have highlighted that Drupal developers are scarce and hard to found. The additional time required to build a website using the CMS also affects the projects that must be completed within a stipulated timeframe. On the other hand, a business has option to choose from several WordPress development options according to its budget. Also, the user can simply integrate in inbuilt blog into the website to add new content without incurring any additional expenses.

5) Popular and Familiar

At preset some of the most popular websites and web applications are using WordPress. Also, the clean and easy-to-navigate features of WordPress sites enhance their ranking on the search engine results pages of Google, Yahoo and Bing. Its popularity as a blogging platform also encourages many companies to opt for WordPress to manage content efficiently. The familiarity of the CMS makes it popular among many people. On the other hand, Drupal is not familiar with the enterprises and individual users. As the marketing department of most enterprises mange their website, the decision makers prefer WordPress over Drupal.

Both WordPress and Drupal are written in PHP. The users also have option to enhance the basic functionality of each CMS through loads of add-ons. However, it is always important for the users to pick the right content management system by keeping in mind the size, usage and nature of the website. WordPress CMS customization teams can help you customize web app within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide CMS development services. If you would like hire good wordpress developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.