Which is Better? Full-Stack Developer or Mean Stack Developer?

Software developers all over the world have been using modern tools to build apps that are scalable, efficient and robust. However, with advancements in technology, there is a growing creed of developers who make use of stack to build the software’s front end as well as back end. Before we dig deeper into what is stack and how a developer uses it, let us understand the basic concepts.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

A full stack developer uses several elements to build a software. Starting from the frontend and moving on to the backend and then the database, each part is built by one person. The developer uses a combination of various technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL etc for creating different modules that interact with each other. A typical software development model involves collaboration between various members of a team, each one of them working on a different technology. However, a full stack developer has hands-on experience with ALL the technologies that are used in a particular software development. 

The obvious advantage with it is that a full stack developer can do all the tasks within a shorter fame of time. That means cost savings for the client as well. With ever-growing competition and aggressive development timelines set by product owners, it is imperative to bring full stack developers into the picture. Besides, it is also advantageous for digital agencies because they do not need to hire multiple resources and take up a heavy cost burden of salaries, infrastructure, etc for a long period of time. A full stack developer can be easily deployed on any project and so does not have to be put on bench.

What is a Mean Stack Developer?

A modified version of full stack is known as MEAN stack. It uses a collection of Java-based technologies and is an acronym for MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and Node.js. These technologies and frameworks are used by a full stack developer to design and develop apps. In other words, MEAN is a set of best-in-class technologies that are used together for optimum results. 

A MEAN full stack developer can develop a basic website or a complex, multi-user application that involves integration of several modules. In fact, most of the responsive web pages are directly backed by these four technologies. It is also considered as the fastest-growing framework that supports open-source web development. A MEAN full stack developer can access a list of tools and technologies from the online forums, which can help him develop apps better and faster. 

Here is a brief overview of the technologies that are used:

• MoboDB is used by full stack developers to create back-end parts of the application and store data in the form of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) documents.
• Express.js is a tool that allows running back-end web application framework over the Node.js layer.
• Angular 2 is a framework that is used by full stack developers to build the front end of an application. Angular utilizes JavaScript to run the code, which allows the user interface to be dynamic.
• Node.js is a runtime environment of JavaScript and is used to implement the back-end parts of JavaScript code

What are the Benefits?

• MEAN full stack development revolves around the idea of using a single JavaScript language for front end as well as back end development. So, if the full stack developer is expert in Java, it would be easier for him to complete the development. Besides, it will be easier for him to switch between various parts of the app.
• A MEAN full stack developer can do isomorphic coding, which means that he can transfer code from one framework to the other and utilize it for multiple projects.
• MEAN stack allows easy and convenient cloud integration by the full stack developer. As soon as the app gets developed, it can be tested on the cloud. By utilizing MongoDB, the developers can make changes quickly and easily.
• JSON or JavaScript Object Notation is compatible with NodeJS and AngularJS. In addition to the above, MongoDB is a relational database that allows full stack developers to save their documents in the form of JSON.
• Node.js is faster and ascendable due to its architecture of non-blocking. Also, Angular.js is one of the frameworks of JavaScript, which offers easy testability, maintenance and a wide range of online libraries.

Conclusion

When you discuss your requirements with an experienced full stack developer of Optimal Virtual Employee, you can get a detailed project analysis and feedback that will enable you to make the best decision. You must focus on the set of features that your application needs, rather than technologies that will be used. Both of the above approaches have their own set of advantages and a careful calibration of those is necessary for optimum outcome.

What Are The Hidden Costs of Hiring Web Developers?

Should you hire web developer inhouse or should you collaborate with an IT company for completing your software development projects? This is a common dilemma faced by many entrepreneurs while going for digital transformation of their business. Through this article, I will try and explain to you what are the costs involved in hiring in-house resources, which you may not have calculated.

Salary of Onsite Web Developer

The salaries of onsite web developers in the US can be in the range of $40 to $170 per hour, depending upon the type of skill set that you are looking for. While it may be higher for more experienced resources, a lesser experienced resource might not be suitable for your project. In Europe, the cost of hiring web developer onsite can be from $70 to $130 per hour, depending on the length of the contract and the experience levels. That's a lot right? However, if you outsource your project to Optimal Virtual Employee - which is based in India - you can get the same talent for under $20 per hour! Yes that's right because the Indian Rupee is a highly devalued currency and is usually pegged at INR 70 to the US Dollar.

Recruiting a Web Developer

As many of us know, recruitment can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. In the absence of a specialized HR recruitment team, you might have to spend considerable resources. First, you need to place an advertisement. Second, you need to shortlist the resumes and third, you need to contact them individually for face-to-face interview rounds. This can be a draining process, which might delay your software development projects by several months. However, Optimal Virtual Employee does this job for you without any fuss! We have over 300 web developers working on our payroll and their experience levels range from 2 years to 15 years! Besides, their experiences are verified and their coding skills have been tested by our experts.

Office Space and IT Infrastructure

When you have chosen to start work on your project and decided to hire web developer, the next task is to arrange office space and IT infrastructure for them. While these things might seem innocuous, they carry a high importance and steep costs. For taking up an office space, you need to pay upfront costs that may include advance rentals and security deposit. Besides, there would be annual maintenance costs too. For IT infrastructure, you need laptops, servers, anti-virus, cloud storage, etc to help in the work of your web developers. These are important capital expenditures which some entrepreneurs fail to calculate and end up under a huge credit load. However, Optimal Virtual Employee is a company that has its own office building in Noida, India. Equipped with over 400 office seats, our development center boasts of state-of-the-art IT infrastructure in plug-and-play configuration. No more upfront costs for hiring web developers for you!

Need For Project Managers & Support Staff

Do you envisage the requirement of a project manager to manage your web developers? You might then need to hire a project manager who could cost you upwards of $90,000 per annum. A project manager is usually hired to lead a team of web developers. He not only manages their workload, but also ensures that their project timelines are met and the code is of required quality. He can also help them in resolving day-to-day developmental issues. At Optimal Virtual Employee, our clients get a project manager free of cost! Yes, in case you hire a team of 4+ web developers with us, we will be happy to offer the services of a Project Manager without any additional charges. 

Conclusion

With the above calculations, you can imagine what kind of costs you are going to incur when you hire web developer. Take a pick on whether you want an in-house team or an outsourced team. Decide what is best for you and then go for it!

KV Gautam honoured with Sanjeevni TV National Award

Delhi based motivational speaker KV Gautam has been honoured with Sanjeevni TV National Award. The motivational speaker has been given title of Sanjeevni Bhushan for motivating millions of people in India. He was given the award by famous film and TV actor Mukesh Khanna at Le Meridien hotel in New Delhi on 13 August 2017.

KV Gautam is a celebrated motivational speaker in Delhi. He has written best-selling motivational book Impossible Is Fun. He is also a writer of bestseller Love in Crazy Times. Gautam delivers inspirational talks at events of both business and educational institutions.  KV Gautam is also an award winning cartoonist.

Sanjeevni TV Group offers programs on spirituality, astrology, vaastu and wellness.

Congrats To French Authorities For Gunning Down Abdelhamid Abaaoud

Hearty congrats to French police and security personnel for their success in finding out and then gunning down Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the blood sucking vampire who reportedly played the main role in orchestrating the terror attack in Paris.

While the trauma suffered by the families of Paris attack victims is irreparable, this development will undoubtedly offer some relief for their pain.

Now it is time for all of us, irrespective of our religious/ethnic/national backgrounds, to join hands and offer all sorts of moral support to all the entities and powers which are fighting day in and day out to wipe out the devils of ISIS and Al Qaeda from their areas of stronghold, through various means like air strikes. It is not the right time to evaluate the US led air strikes on the ISIS and Al Qaeda strongholds of Middle East in the context of ethics, principle and values. We will get enough time to have those intellectual discussions if the civilized world survives the threat it faces from these radical Muslim organizations. First we should focus on this survival.

Now let the world unite and offer devastating blow to all those scoundrels who are inflicting injuries to the human society (including people from the same religion that these terrorists claim to champion), thus bringing extreme embarrassment for the innocent followers of one of the oldest religions of the world.

The wolves of ISIS and Al Qaeda are so obsessed with bloodshed. OK, let’s not disappoint them. For long they have bathed in the blood of human beings. Now let them bath in the blood of wolves, i.e. the blood of their own. 

KV Gautam: The Best Motivational Speaker in New Delhi

Recently I got to attend a corporate event organized by a large FMGC firm in New Delhi.  I expected the usual boring corporate lectures. However, I was blown away by the experience. The key event was a motivational speech by KV Gautam. He impressed me very much by his motivational talk.

The motivational talk by KV Gautam lasted for 1 hour. He talked about the importance of staying positive in tough times. He also talked about the importance of bonding and trust in a team. No need to say the audience was spell-bound. Gautam spoke with conviction and motivated people present there. He also narrated a couple of events from his own life which made the talk even more interesting. He received a standing ovation at the end. I have heard several motivational talks. But this was the best.

I also came to know that Gautam is also going to deliver a talk at TED event this year. I came to know this on his website http://www.motivationalspeakergautam.com

India's Forex Reserves Cross $300 Billion Mark

It is a good news that India's foreign exchange reserves have witnessed a jump of a staggering $5 billion, with the total reserves now crossing $300 billion. 

It may be noted that it is after 2 years that India's forex (foreign exchange) reserves have reached this level. Last time they touched this $300 billion plus mark was way back in December 2011. 

Two main factors to which this achievement has been attributed are - a.) selling og the Indian govt's 9 per cent stake in Axis Bank, and b.) buyback of forex that were given to oil companies in 2012. 

Now let's hope that we are able to make an effective use of this kitty.

WHO Declares India To Be Polio Free

It is really so heartening that World Health Organization (WHO) has declared India and 10 other Asian countries to be Polio free. This recognition comes after a long phase of hard work, with the countries concerned deserving a huge applause.

The other Asian countries that received this long cherished recognition include Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

It may be noted that now virtually all the countries from the Indian Sub Continent have officially become polio free, with only two countries from that region that still await that achievement are Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

The Occasionally Populist Stand Taken By The Indian Media

I mean no offence. But I feel (I may be wrong) that our media (both national and regional) sometimes behaves like a cheap politician. While covering a sensational issue it first tries to guess the popular view on the same, and then covers that issue exactly in the way people want it to be covered, telling readers/audience exactly those things which are in sync with their view. And the media does not mind toeing the popular view even if that dilutes the neutrality and even accuracy of the news coverage.

Our media must always remember that it is supposed to educate and enlighten people, rather than behaving like a grocery store aimed at supplying people exactly what they demand.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day I perceive our media as one of the best in the world, and carry huge respect for certain publications, TV channels and online news portals, which I consider to be really high class (if not world class).

Sikkim Declared "The best region to visit in 2014" by "Lonely Planet"

It was thrilling to know that Sikkim - the picturesque north eastern state of India - has been declared "The best region to visit in 2014" by "Lonely Planet", the prominent global travel guide followed by travel enthusiasts across the world.

Sikkim is fortunate to be blessed with a heavenly beauty (like many other states and regions of India). But tapping that beauty in a smart and innovative manner is a different thing, which requires passion, imagination and dedication. The Sikkim Govt has done it successfully, and it deserves hearty congrats from everybody. This honour has come as a result of Sikkim’s strong focus on developing its tourism sector, with its dedication being reflected from facts, such as being the first Indian state to espouse a proper eco-tourism policy formulated by US and Japanese experts.

It may be mentioned that while making its selection, “Lonely Planet” has expressed appreciation for the community-based tourism model successfully developed by the state.  

Nokia Launches Lumia 2520 - Its First, And Probably The Last, Tablet

Nokia has launched Lumia 2520, its first Windows tablet.

Incidentally, it may be the Finnish major’s last tablet as well, as its hardware unit is going to be taken over by Microsoft.

In this context it may appear a bit surprising that Nokia’s Lumia 2520 poses a direct competition to Microsoft’s Surface 2 tablet.

The event that entailed the launch of Lumia 2520 also witnessed the launch of two six inch phablets named the Lumia 1520 and the Lumia 1320, and three handsets under the Asha range, named the Asha 500, Asha 502 and the Asha 503.

India’s TERI Gets Ranked By ICCG As The World’s Best Institution In The Field Of Climate Change Studies

New Delhi-based TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) has been ranked by the International Centre for Climate Governance as the world’s best institution in the field of climate change study. 

This is just one of the various developments that highlight TERI's quality, level and standard as a research institution in the field of environment and climate studies.

In fact there is nothing to get surprised with this elevation that is enjoyed by TERI. After all it is led by a towering personality like Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, the Chairperson of Nobel Peace Prize winner Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). With such a person at its helm, it is little wonder that TERI has become such a prominent organization in its field. 

TERI personifies India’s sincerity in studying the global climate problem and addressing the same, and also reflects our country’s ability to achieve this objective.

The Experience of Handling Banga Bhawan Control Room for Uttarakhand Floods

Today (3rd July 2013) I am back to my normal office duty after being a part of the " Banga Bhawan Control Room" from 19th June to 2nd July. This control room was set up at the "Banga Bhawan", West Bengal Govt's state guest house, to monitor the search and rescue operation of the tourists from West Bengal who were stranded in Uttarakhand. Some of us from the Office of the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi were handling the control room, while of number of other people, including our Principal Resident Commissioner Sir, had gone to Uttarakhand to handle the ground level situation there.

It was a first-of-its-kind experience for me to be a part of the control room, which I worked for while handling the VIP Protocol duties that came my way. It was a mixed experience. It was a touching and charming experience when I would call up somebody and told him that we could trace his relative/friend in Uttarakhand, and he would be so happy and elated, and would thank us so profusely. And at the same time I had the painful experience of answering the call of an anxious person only to tell him that there was still no news about his friend or relative.

The assignment was demanding, but I loved being a part of it. It was so different from my usual job profile of providing protocol service to dignitaries.

I congratulate from my heart those families who have got back their loved ones. And my heartfelt condolences for the families whose loved ones have fallen victims to the devastation that will haunt our nation as a nightmare for many years.

WWW.FLIGHTSTATS.COM – A GREAT WAY FOR A FLYER TO KEEP TRACK OF THE FLIGHT SCHEDULE

If you are a frequent flyer, then www.flightstats.com is a great and effective way (if not the best way) for you to keep a track of the flight schedules, i.e. the Scheduled Time of Arrival/Departure and Expected Time of Arrival/Departure. www.flightstats.com keeps making a real time tracking of every flight, and keeps informing people about any change (delay, etc.) in a flight's Scheduled or Expected Time of Arrival/Departure. The updating takes place at an interval of virtually a couple of minutes. 

All you have to do is to just log on to www.flightstats.com and type the flight name, like 6E 206, AI 701, etc. Or you can just type the flight name in Google (by accessing the Internet through any device including your mobile handset), and the www.flightstats.com information will appear at the very top. 

The best thing of www.flightstats.com is that you do not have to call up the office of the concerned airlines again and again, and at the same time you will get an information that may be more accurate than the one provided by the airlines people.

Last but not the least, I have not been paid by anybody to advertise www.flightstats.com As a Protocol Officer I often have to keep track of airlines schedules. I have personally found www.flightstats.com to be very helpful in this regard, and wanted to share it with you people as I felt many of you would benefit from this information.

Indian Invents World's First Smartphone For The Blind

India's Sumit Dagar has made his country proud by inventing world‘s first smartphone for the blind people. The pioneering smartphone invented by this National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad) alumnus converts every SMS and email sent to it into blind-friendly Braille. And naturally a visually challenged person can easily read the message. 

It is really so nice to know that now our visually challenged friends will be able to use, independently, a technology that has become part and parcel of the modern human life. And what significantly adds to the thrill of every Indian is the fact that this has been made possible by a fellow Indian. 

Since the early stage of its civilization India has enriched the world technology horizon with notable inventions, with the pioneering work of Sumit Dagar being a reflection of that rich technological legacy that our nation takes pride in. His work will also inspire others who want to make a noble use of their command of science and technology, by bringing more people within the periphery of the latter's service. 

"Dial Kashmir" - A Good Initiative

Congrats to Ms Mehvish Mushtaq for becoming the first Kashmiri lady to develop an Android application, named "Dial Kashmir".

Well, she deserves to be congratulated not merely for becoming the first Kashmiri girl to make this achievement, but also for the utility of the application developed by her. "Dial Kashmir" will serve as a one-stop source of crucial information, as it contains the contains the contact details of more than 500 government and private departments/organizations (such as fire service, police and hospital). Naturally, it will be of great help to both the local people as well as outsiders like tourists. And Mehvish is planning to further expand the database, adding the contact details of more organizations and entities, and thus making the database more valuable.

Great job, Ms. Mehvish. You have really made a good use of your knowledge of Computer Science Engineering and Android Service. We all wish you all the best.

The Intimate Relationship Between Communism and Violence

Every political doctrine or ideology has a certain political idiom, which tends to play a central character in how the followers of that ideology carry out their political activities.

With due respect for the believers in Communism, I feel Violence is the perennial political idiom of Communism. It seems Communists’ excessive obsession with "struggle" always makes them opt for ultra-aggressive steps, even when there is room for other options. This probably explains the bloodshed on almost every occasion when radical Communists have ceased power in a country. Communism has always tended to glorify "Revolution" rather than favoring the more acceptable "Evolution", while overlooking this fact that "Revolution" entails conflict.

This post is not aimed at maligning Communism, which is certainly one of the most notable political theories that the human civilization has ever come across. It is rather an observation by a very ordinary person, who otherwise very much identifies with some of the key objectives of Communism (such as a classless society).

Just To Break The Silence

It may sound funny. But actually I am making this posting just to break my long absence from my blog. I made the last posting in September 2012. After that there was a long silence. Today I felt that I must write something in my blog, even if it is something purely nonsense. So I made this posting.

Hopefully I will come back soon with a proper blog posting.

All The Best, "Barfi"!

It is really so thrilling to know about "Barfi" getting nominated for Oscar. 

While it is always great to find an Indian movie to Oscar nomination, what made Barfi's Oscar nomination so thrilling for me is the movie's close connection with two places that I am so obsessed with - a.) Darjeeling (in the North Bengal region, i.e. the picturesque region that was once the home for my family), and b.) Calcutta/Kolkata, the magnificent city where I grew up. 

All the best, Barfi!

NB - However, I am aware of the controversy that "Barfi" has imitated a number of scenes from a Charlie Chaplin movie. Well, I am not aware of to what extent the imitation has been made. But it is certainly not appreciable if the movie owes the acclaim it is enjoying to the scenes that it has imitated from other movie/movies. 

Hiking The Diesel Price - A Laudable Step

Congrats to the Central Govt for showing the courage to hike the diesel price and curb the subsidy on LPG. These are two crucial decisions that were long overdue. 

It is very stupid to expect that the Govt will indefinitely put on hold a hike in diesel price when the international price of the commodity is on the rise. India has to import a huge quantity of oil from the international market, and the Govt is understandably bound to hike the diesel price if the international scenario forces any such decision. 


And as far as curbing the LPG subsidy is concerned, we should have the common sense to realize that subsidy is not an ideal way to keep price under control. Rather it is Counter Productive. Imposition of subsidy on a commodity might give us a temporary relief, but it is not sustainable and is bound to be withdrawn at one point of time. And significantly, more time is taken to withdraw the subsidy, more painful is the post-withdrawal impact. So it is always better to withdraw the subsidy at the earliest (if at all it needs to be imposed in the first place), right? I suppose we should have the maturity to opt for long term gain rather than momentary relief.

I know some of my friends will not like my view. Well, I have due respect for their opinions, but at the same time I am confident about my view.

Interview with KV Gautam, author of Love in Crazy Times

Love in Crazy Times, the debut novel by author KV Gautam been much talked about in the literary circles. The book discusses various issues youth face these days. 

KV Gautam is an independent filmmaker, cartoonist and entrepreneur based in New Delhi. He has worked as a cartoonist for leading newspapers like the Hindustan Times and the Dainik Jagran, and has illustrated more than 50 books.

KV Gautam is currently writing script of his first Hindi feature film Hum Honge Kaamyaab, a satire on corruption and society. He will also direct the film.

KV Gautam spoke to us about his debut novel, his life and his next book. 

Tell us something about your background?

I started my career as a political cartoonist for national newspapers. Later I got interested in entrepreneurship. Currently I run a media company in Delhi. I have future plans to make features films too. 

What inspired you to write Love in Crazy Times?

When I see young people I feel they are faced with many issues, whether it’s their love life or their career. Young people are more than often forced by parents to choose a different career or a different life partner from what they want.  This situation makes me think. I decided to tell a story which mirrors what the young Indians are going through.  

Some critics say you wrote the book for the young readers who have no taste for literary works?

Frankly speaking, I write for my young readers, not for winning some literary awards. I want to write in easy and engaging language so that people find it both interesting and easy to read. I don’ want people to have a dictionary to read the book.  I don’t have any literary pretentions. I had a story and I just wanted to recite it to my readers.

What are the issues Indian youth face these days?

Indian youth is going through a transitional phase. They are stuck between traditional Indian culture and the fast changing times.  Mostly, they are looking for a good career and the freedom to choose a life partner. Parents also find it difficult to cope with the changing times in the fast changing nation. 

So, what will be your next book?

I am currently writing a screenplay for a Hindi film Hum Honge Kaamyaab. It will be a comedy film about corruption. I intend to direct the film as well. 

I do intend to write another book after this. It most likely will be a non-fiction, some self-help or inspirational material.