Vue js Vs React js

What is better: Vue.js advantages and benefits of using React.js

Now it is the time to start comparing. What should we use in one case or another?

#1. Need an app with templates? Vue is up to you

Vue attributes should be added to HTML layout - it is a necessary action. It may remind a data-binding feature in Angular library, and directives are targeted for adding functionality on the page. Let's imagine an example of a simple Vue app that displays a message and contains a button name of which can be changed to the opposite by clicking.

This process can be implemented much faster due to Vue.js template. In the case of React, it avoids templates and it requires from the developer to activate DOM in JavaScript that is automated with JSX. So the same app will require more actions from the user.

Working with Vue template

If you want to use templates, you will have to learn advanced HTML. But if you need to write simple functions, standard HTML and JavaScript can be enough. Moreover, the advantage of the creation of functions lies in the easier testing process as well.

However, in the second release of Vue, you can use both templates and create functions.

#2. Don't want to complicate things? Choose a Vue

A simple app written using Vue can be uploaded from the browser directly without a transpilation. It allows the user to add Vue library to the project easily, like jQuery.

You can do it in React library as well, but more often React-written code is based on JSX and ES more.

Vue.js examples' simplicity is reflected in its design. We can compare how two frameworks can process value in the app.

React compares current and previous value - it makes it possible for React to understand when and what to add to DOM. That is the reason why it is impossible to change the value directly.

As for Vue, all data is changed there without any troubles. It may seem that the Vue rendering process lacks React efficiency, but it is not correct. Vue is constantly monitoring DOM conditions and automatically changes values once it is changed. So this process in Vue is not only more capacious but also more efficient comparing to React.

However, everything is not so shiny concerning Vue. Vue cannot monitor editing of values, their deletion, and other massive changes. These shortcomings can be eliminated using React set-methods. So it can give a notion of what is Vue.js .

#3. Need a small and fast app? Vue is waiting for you

Both React and Vue create virtual DOM and sync it to a real DOM once data inside is changed. Both libraries have tools for the optimization of this process.

Vue developers tried to make Vue's rendering system faster than that one of React's. As for library size, Vue gains the lead here. The last release of Vue framework is minimized up to 25.6 kb.

But if you want to get all React tools, you will have to download React DOM (37,4 kb), React library (11.4 kb), and now it is two times heavier than Vue. At the same time, you will get more APIs from React.

#4. Need a large app? React is at your disposal

Comparing simple apps developed on the basis of React and Vue, the majority of developers can give their preference to Vue. It is because apps that are created using templates can be developed more easily.

But these benefits can slow down the development process if the app will increase in sizes. App templates are subject to bugs in the process of the implementation of specific tasks, and it is not easy to restructure and divide this app into components. So when you think about a large web app, create React app.

But JS templates can be structured to components and they have a clean reusable code. Testing of the app is implemented more quickly as well.

History of React.js and Vue.js

So, React is advantageous in large apps when readability and possibility to test code are crucial.

#5. Looking for a library for your web or mobile app development? You need a React.

React Native is a library that helps to develop mobile apps in JavaScript language. It is almost the same as React.js, but there are native components, not the web. If a developer had an experience of working with React.js, it wouldn't be a problem for him to learn React Native.

It is very important that it can build an app for web or mobile without additional skills and tools. Learning React gives the developer an undisputed advantage if he or she plans to develop both web and mobile apps. Now do you see why use React.js ?

Vue.js cannot boast about such features so here React is leading undoubtedly.

#6. Need a large development mechanism? React is the leader.

For sure, React today is a more popular library that has 2.5 million downloads per month. While Vue library has only 225,000 downloads per month.

Popularity is not just a small advantage. It means more discussions, manuals, guides and so on. More add-ons for integration into the project, it saves time and efforts of the developer since he or she can use ready-made solutions.

Both frameworks are open source, but React was created by Facebook team. This is also a strong side. Companies and developers that prefer React can be confident in the long-term technical support of the library. You can find React.js templates all over the Internet.

As for Vue, it was created by one developer whose name is Evan You. He is performing technical support of the library. There are no teams of specialists.

Nevertheless, Vue popularity is growing, and it constantly shows new updates, and new releases. There are a few thousand open and resolved issues on GitHub.

What is the verdict?

In fact, if you use one library in a successful way, there is no sense to change it. To sum up our research, let's list strong sides of both frameworks in a nutshell.

Vue.js pros:

• Flexibility when creating templates and rendering;
• Simplicity of syntax and project development;
• A small size of the library and faster integration.

Advantages of React.js:

• Better for large app development;
• Easier in testing and learning;
• Applicable for cross-platform development;
• A larger system of add-ons and tools.

Strong sides of Vue and React

But anyway React and Vue are exclusive UI libraries that have more similarities than differences. Their best features include the following:

• Quick interaction with virtual DOM;
• Not large size;
• Quickly responding components;
• Can be used on server's part;
• Simple sync to the router, simple management of conditions.

Vue js Vs React js

What is better: Vue.js advantages and benefits of using React.js

Now it is the time to start comparing. What should we use in one case or another?

#1. Need an app with templates? Vue is up to you

Vue attributes should be added to HTML layout - it is a necessary action. It may remind a data-binding feature in Angular library, and directives are targeted for adding functionality on the page. Let's imagine an example of a simple Vue app that displays a message and contains a button name of which can be changed to the opposite by clicking.

This process can be implemented much faster due to Vue.js template. In the case of React, it avoids templates and it requires from the developer to activate DOM in JavaScript that is automated with JSX. So the same app will require more actions from the user.

Working with Vue template

If you want to use templates, you will have to learn advanced HTML. But if you need to write simple functions, standard HTML and JavaScript can be enough. Moreover, the advantage of the creation of functions lies in the easier testing process as well.

However, in the second release of Vue, you can use both templates and create functions.

#2. Don't want to complicate things? Choose a Vue

A simple app written using Vue can be uploaded from the browser directly without a transpilation. It allows the user to add Vue library to the project easily, like jQuery.

You can do it in React library as well, but more often React-written code is based on JSX and ES more.

Vue.js examples' simplicity is reflected in its design. We can compare how two frameworks can process value in the app.

React compares current and previous value - it makes it possible for React to understand when and what to add to DOM. That is the reason why it is impossible to change the value directly.

As for Vue, all data is changed there without any troubles. It may seem that the Vue rendering process lacks React efficiency, but it is not correct. Vue is constantly monitoring DOM conditions and automatically changes values once it is changed. So this process in Vue is not only more capacious but also more efficient comparing to React.

However, everything is not so shiny concerning Vue. Vue cannot monitor editing of values, their deletion, and other massive changes. These shortcomings can be eliminated using React set-methods. So it can give a notion of what is Vue.js .

#3. Need a small and fast app? Vue is waiting for you

Both React and Vue create virtual DOM and sync it to a real DOM once data inside is changed. Both libraries have tools for the optimization of this process.

Vue developers tried to make Vue's rendering system faster than that one of React's. As for library size, Vue gains the lead here. The last release of Vue framework is minimized up to 25.6 kb.

But if you want to get all React tools, you will have to download React DOM (37,4 kb), React library (11.4 kb), and now it is two times heavier than Vue. At the same time, you will get more APIs from React.

#4. Need a large app? React is at your disposal

Comparing simple apps developed on the basis of React and Vue, the majority of developers can give their preference to Vue. It is because apps that are created using templates can be developed more easily.

But these benefits can slow down the development process if the app will increase in sizes. App templates are subject to bugs in the process of the implementation of specific tasks, and it is not easy to restructure and divide this app into components. So when you think about a large web app, create React app.

But JS templates can be structured to components and they have a clean reusable code. Testing of the app is implemented more quickly as well.

History of React.js and Vue.js

So, React is advantageous in large apps when readability and possibility to test code are crucial.

#5. Looking for a library for your web or mobile app development? You need a React.

React Native is a library that helps to develop mobile apps in JavaScript language. It is almost the same as React.js, but there are native components, not the web. If a developer had an experience of working with React.js, it wouldn't be a problem for him to learn React Native.

It is very important that it can build an app for web or mobile without additional skills and tools. Learning React gives the developer an undisputed advantage if he or she plans to develop both web and mobile apps. Now do you see why use React.js ?

Vue.js cannot boast about such features so here React is leading undoubtedly.

#6. Need a large development mechanism? React is the leader.

For sure, React today is a more popular library that has 2.5 million downloads per month. While Vue library has only 225,000 downloads per month.

Popularity is not just a small advantage. It means more discussions, manuals, guides and so on. More add-ons for integration into the project, it saves time and efforts of the developer since he or she can use ready-made solutions.

Both frameworks are open source, but React was created by Facebook team. This is also a strong side. Companies and developers that prefer React can be confident in the long-term technical support of the library. You can find React.js templates all over the Internet.

As for Vue, it was created by one developer whose name is Evan You. He is performing technical support of the library. There are no teams of specialists.

Nevertheless, Vue popularity is growing, and it constantly shows new updates, and new releases. There are a few thousand open and resolved issues on GitHub.

What is the verdict?

In fact, if you use one library in a successful way, there is no sense to change it. To sum up our research, let's list strong sides of both frameworks in a nutshell.

Vue.js pros:

• Flexibility when creating templates and rendering;
• Simplicity of syntax and project development;
• A small size of the library and faster integration.

Advantages of React.js:

• Better for large app development;
• Easier in testing and learning;
• Applicable for cross-platform development;
• A larger system of add-ons and tools.

Strong sides of Vue and React

But anyway React and Vue are exclusive UI libraries that have more similarities than differences. Their best features include the following:

• Quick interaction with virtual DOM;
• Not large size;
• Quickly responding components;
• Can be used on server's part;
• Simple sync to the router, simple management of conditions.

AI in agriculture

What is Mixed Reality?

Mixed Reality (MR) is a term gaining its popularity today. It defines a combination or union of two virtual environments where two worlds coexist together. Sometimes a mixed reality is called a hybrid reality.

Let's discover some mixed reality examples. It makes it possible to simultaneously investigate a virtual environment and real world as a single whole. Using real environment and coordinates virtual objects can be placed in a real world. When a user approaches a certain object, it is enlarging, when moves away - it is shrinking. Owing to a virtual reality, users can explore an object from different angles and at any distance. Besides, a mixed reality allows users to affect virtual object and interact with them as if they were in the same place.

Mixed reality in action

Mixed reality can turn your smartphone into an interactive handbook where the informational environment for places we are located in is building on. How does MR technology affect farming ? 3D-mapping technology makes it possible to turn fields into the virtual environment where farmers can generate different scenarios of crop cultivation, even if they seem fantastic in real life. Special software combined with webcams in a virtual environment augment physical objects as well as integrate us into the virtual world.

Owing to unique capabilities and experience a hybrid reality has, developers start investigating different ways of efficient use of this technology in diversified areas. Present-day medicine, architecture, education, and smart farming are the most advantageous fields for the application of a hybrid reality technology.

Machine learning in agriculture

Machine learning - a complex statistics application for search of consistent patterns in data and development of required forecasts - has eased the process of a task assignment. Developers do not have any longer to build special programs for their computers to solve one task or another. Instead of this, a computer is taught to find the problem by itself, without any assistance. A real breakthrough in the world of information technologies. And, considering technical capabilities of AI, agriculture field cannot be ignored.

History of machine learning has begun in the 1950s when computer scientists managed to teach a computer to play chess. Since then, together with computing capacity, the complexity of consistent patterns and forecasts computer is capable of drafting and detecting has been growing. As well as the complexity of problems computer can resolve today, and farming problems are also included in this list. Moreover, machine learning is a subdivision of artificial intelligence (AI) , so complex methods of smart intelligence are applied in ML technology.

AI pyramid - machine learning position

How does ML work in farming practices ? The algorithm gets a range of training data and then uses it for requests processing. For example, you can upload in the computer a few pictures with the description like 'A flower is depicted on the image' and 'There are no flowers at this image'. If you add new images to the database after this, it will start identifying pictures with flowers on its own.

The algorithm keeps on improving. Right and wrong results of an image recognition are sent to the database, and software is becoming smarter with every processed image. In some sense, such process can be compared to building a muscle - the more you train, the stronger you get. The more images you have downloaded in the program, the more precise result it will produce.

AI in agriculture

What is Mixed Reality?

Mixed Reality (MR) is a term gaining its popularity today. It defines a combination or union of two virtual environments where two worlds coexist together. Sometimes a mixed reality is called a hybrid reality.

Let's discover some mixed reality examples. It makes it possible to simultaneously investigate a virtual environment and real world as a single whole. Using real environment and coordinates virtual objects can be placed in a real world. When a user approaches a certain object, it is enlarging, when moves away - it is shrinking. Owing to a virtual reality, users can explore an object from different angles and at any distance. Besides, a mixed reality allows users to affect virtual object and interact with them as if they were in the same place.

Mixed reality in action

Mixed reality can turn your smartphone into an interactive handbook where the informational environment for places we are located in is building on. How does MR technology affect farming ? 3D-mapping technology makes it possible to turn fields into the virtual environment where farmers can generate different scenarios of crop cultivation, even if they seem fantastic in real life. Special software combined with webcams in a virtual environment augment physical objects as well as integrate us into the virtual world.

Owing to unique capabilities and experience a hybrid reality has, developers start investigating different ways of efficient use of this technology in diversified areas. Present-day medicine, architecture, education, and smart farming are the most advantageous fields for the application of a hybrid reality technology.

Machine learning in agriculture

Machine learning - a complex statistics application for search of consistent patterns in data and development of required forecasts - has eased the process of a task assignment. Developers do not have any longer to build special programs for their computers to solve one task or another. Instead of this, a computer is taught to find the problem by itself, without any assistance. A real breakthrough in the world of information technologies. And, considering technical capabilities of AI, agriculture field cannot be ignored.

History of machine learning has begun in the 1950s when computer scientists managed to teach a computer to play chess. Since then, together with computing capacity, the complexity of consistent patterns and forecasts computer is capable of drafting and detecting has been growing. As well as the complexity of problems computer can resolve today, and farming problems are also included in this list. Moreover, machine learning is a subdivision of artificial intelligence (AI) , so complex methods of smart intelligence are applied in ML technology.

AI pyramid - machine learning position

How does ML work in farming practices ? The algorithm gets a range of training data and then uses it for requests processing. For example, you can upload in the computer a few pictures with the description like 'A flower is depicted on the image' and 'There are no flowers at this image'. If you add new images to the database after this, it will start identifying pictures with flowers on its own.

The algorithm keeps on improving. Right and wrong results of an image recognition are sent to the database, and software is becoming smarter with every processed image. In some sense, such process can be compared to building a muscle - the more you train, the stronger you get. The more images you have downloaded in the program, the more precise result it will produce.

If you hadn’t heard, Asgardia just reached the end of its first election that saw rise to passionate debates, inspirational platforms and innovative solutions to some of the biggest problems facing the nation.

The final voting period of the election is now closed and we’re on the cusp of making history and putting together our first ever Parliament and while there may have been some bumps along the way and some valuable lessons learnt, we’ve achieved something truly amazing.

What’s next?

Now that all the votes are in, there are still a few steps that will be required before our first parliament is fully formed and the process is expected to be concluded around the 31 ^st of March 2018 (06 April 0002).

Asgardia is taking the election process seriously and not only will the votes be counted by the Counting Commission , who will check the voting logfiles, but to further help ensure that all the votes that candidates have were gained fairly and legitimately, several independent companies have also been asked to analyse the votes.

Once each of the votes have been verified, candidates who met the requirements (including the mandatory donation) will be contacted individually and informed of their successful election and formally invited to an event in Vienna which will be the first meeting of Asgardian Parliament.

The event in Vienna is expected to be expenses paid to enable as many of the newly elected members of Parliament to attend as possible and will be attended by both press and other prominent figures with an interest in the space nation.

Once this event (which is expected to last several days) has concluded we will have the first Asgardian Parliament and it will be time for them to return home and start getting to work on building the nation, picking a government and putting laws into place.

Got questions?

If you want to know more about the elections or the election process, drop an eMail to Citizens@Asgardia.space

What does a localized app mean?

To decide what type of app local or global you want to build, we need to understand what both mean. Local app is an application that provides some community specific needs. It’s an app that was designed to develop some specific purposes of people that live in a particular country or area. For people from other countries, such apps can be not even uninteresting but pointless.

Global app is an app that covers a large territory and has no limits for downloads. Usually, such applications are not tied to any country or nationality.

Best local apps examples

We all know the names of the most popular worldwide applications that are famous and recognizable all over the globe. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, Vine, Tinder or Periscope probably need no special introduction. However, there are lots of apps that gained huge popularity in a particular country or area . Let’s take a look at them and the stories behind their success.

Taobao

Taobao is an e-commerce app that works similarly to E-bay or Wish apps. The project was developed by Alibaba group in 2003. It has a C2C business model (customer to customer) and gives small business and retailers an opportunity to work on Chinese online shopping market. The app had more than 370 mln users in 2010.

Taobao website screenshot

There are two ways how sellers can make a deal. They can announce a fixed price on some goods or to auction. Each customer can rate a seller, comment his work or complain in a case of indecent treatment.

Now, the app and site work all over the world. Nevertheless, China and Chinese speaking countries are still the main customers here.

Teen Patti

Teen Patti is a gambling card game, developed specifically for the Indian audience. Why? Because it’s a traditional game for Indian people which they can play now in a mobile app and on the site. The game itself is a simplified version of poker.

Teen Patti app screenshot

For many years there were no games specially designed for the Indian market. People tend to adopted western trends instead of creating something for themselves. To tell the truth, for a long time there was no such need as only a few people had smartphones at that times. However, it has changed and as we all know, if there is a demand there will be an offer.

Pandora Radio

The story of Pandora Radio app creation is amazing. It all started many years ago when a group of enthusiasts decided to process songs in a very unusual way. They hired professional musicians who defined 400 characteristics of each song and put all this data into a database. The project changed its purpose many times. What we have now is a music app which memorizes your preferences and offers you the songs with a strong likelihood that you will enjoy them even if you haven’t heard them yet.

Pandora Radio app screenshots

The app is available only if you live in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The reason of such limited geography is music licensing. However, we hope that it will change soon and the app will be available all over the world.

TransitTimes+

One more extra popular local app is TransitTimes+. It’s an app that works in Australia. It shows all the public transport facilities in Australia making locals’ lives easier. You can not download the app unless you are in the country. Which is rather sensible because why would you want to know what time the train from Lynbrook to Endeavour Hills lives (if there is such) if you are not in Melbourne.

TransitTimes + app screenshots

There are lots of apps of this type. All of them became ultra popular for good reason. Many of them plan to expand their geography and become global and something tells me that they will manage to do it. Yet, without a small start in a limited area, it would be impossible to do.

It is a very typical question to a developer or a product owner whether it is better to create a local or global application . There is no right or wrong answer. Yet, we’d like to explain why with some apps it is better to start local and when it is better to introduce your app to the whole world.

Globalization vs Localization

Let’s look closer at the cases when small application localization is not a fault but an asset.

When local app development is preferable

Strong national idea

If your app just like Teen Patti has a very nationalized idea or connected with a tradition or custom then it is better to make it local. It doesn’t mean that people in other countries will not be interested in your app at all. However, it is better not to rely on this audience from the very beginning.

You already have a small local business

If you are an owner of a cafe or a restaurant (only in one country) and you’ve decided to develop an app for iOS or Android you probably understand that people (at least not many of them) from other countries will book a table or order food with delivery from your place. The same with a taxi, delivery services, and other services on demand.

Apps for specific spots

What we mean here is that you’re developing an app that has to solve issues of a particular place . For instance, it can be a parking application, apps for airports and other places tied to a specific geoposition.

Event apps and city guides

Such applications have bright future. However, it is better to start with limited area. Only when your product becomes popular you can go further and expand your business.

In-house apps

Applications developed specifically for one company are rarely global. Mostly because there is no such need.

If any of mentioned above cases describe your future project then you need to apply a localization strategy .

Originally  - Choosing App Localization For Your App Based On the Target Audience Of the Project

If you have not been to Asgardia.space this morning you will be greeted with the following announcement. Attached to it is the Preliminary List of Candidates.  This document shows the field of potential MPs narrowed to 94:

District 1, English (64 Seats): 38

District 2, Chinese (12 Seats): 1

District 3, Turkish (14 Seats): 13

District 4, Spanish (16 Seats): 6

District 5, Italian (7 Seats): 7

District 6, French (6 Seats): 6

District 7, Russian (6 Seats): 6

District 8, Arabic (3 Seats): 3

District 9, Portuguese (4 Seats): 2

District 10, German (3 Seats): 2

District 11, FARSI (1 Seat): 1

District 12, Hindi (3 Seats): 2

District 13, Others (11 Seats): 7

Total: 94

As anticipated the entire 150 seats of Parliament has not been filled and this list of 94 candidates may be cut down even further based on interviews (though not mentioned below) with the Central Electoral Commission and validation of votes and whether fraud was or was not found with any of the candidates. To my knowledge the order of the names on the list is random and having no implied preference.  And now the announcement:

“In accordance with Decree No 14 by the Head of Nation from 1 February 2018 (4 February 0002 by the Asgardian calendar) and Article 48 of the Constitution of Asgardia, the Asgardian parliamentary elections have concluded on 9 March 2018 (12 March 0002).

The preliminary list of candidates who have met the mandatory requirements in accordance with the previously published Central Electoral Commission (CEC) Regulations on the Final Round of the Parliamentary Elections is included in the attachment.

If any of your personal information is incorrectly reported on the preliminary list, candidates are asked to immediately write to elections@asgardia.space . They must put "Elections - correction" in the subject line.

Candidates who have submitted guarantee letters for payment of the registration fee must pay the said fee by 31 March 2018 (6 April 0002) to confirm their candidacy. In case of nonpayment of the registration fee by the stated date, the guarantee letter is voided.

During a two-week period, the Counting Commission will check the voting logfiles, confirm their legality, and the absence or determination of the occurrence of falsification during the election. The Counting Commission will present the results of its work to the CEC by 31 March 2018 (6 April 0002).

In accordance with Decree No 14 by the Head of Nation, the CEC will present the draft of Decree No 16 to the Head of Nation, "On the results of parliamentary elections of Asgardia."”

"Parliament Candidates, what can you do in five years to help Asgardia work towards a space station? How can we plan, research, and budget in the near future to lay a foundation which lets us grow towards a habitat in orbit or on the moon?"

The first I can do is to recognize that no one person can achieve this goal.  The next is to understand that I am not a subject matter expert in the technologies that will get us into space.  I do have a technology background and work in the Information Technology field.  I believe some of my strongest contributions to this endeavor is my ability to build people and teams; level headiness is high-pressure situations.  I will work collaboratively with subject matter experts in the various specialties leading to the final goal.  I tend to be a realist.  The general road map to space habitation is as follows:

• Securing the financial future of Asgardia
• 
  
• Gaining recognition as an independent country
• 
  
• Acceptance as a member of the United Nations
• 
  
• Acquire the funding to develop the base or foundation technologies that will lead to space habitation
• 
  
• Acquire the technical expertise.
• 
  
• Developing the technology for long-term space habitation.  Alternately, you would only allow short-term stays until the technology catches up.

With respect to the technological and human factors we must overcome, please read the following article: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/astronaut-scott-kelly-on-the-devastating-effects-of-a-year-in-space-20170922-gyn9iw.html

I have seen theories on how to create artificial gravity in space but neither NASA in the USA or Russia have actually put forth this technology.  We will also need to reduce the radiation exposure to earth levels.  We must overcome these two fundamental technologies for the safe habitation of space.

The following is my contribution to securing Asgardia’s financial future.  It is on piece of the puzzle but I believe it to have great potential:

https://asgardia.space/en/blog/24002-asgardia39s-financial-independencenbsp/

In my mind, this is all possible as long as we work together and not push the timeline due to arbitrary political goals.  Let space habitation happen only when the technology has been successfully developed.

“Asgardia.  One People And One Vision. Together We Can.”

https://asgardia.space/en/blog/22849-candidate-for-parliament/

What are payment gateways?

A payment system is a software used for payment processing on the Internet or through mobile apps. It acts as an interface between a website or a seller's mobile app. A licensed bank-member of Visa/MasterCard as a subsidiary bank can process transactions with credit cards for an online business. As a rule, a payment system is used for different payment methods , but we suggest using credit card payments as an example.

A payment system encrypts confidential credit card data to guarantee that the confidential information is transferred reliably between the user, seller and acquiring bank.

Payment systems play an important role in the performance of transactions performing as well as in payment authorization between the seller and purchaser. And they can serve both as online payment methods for small business and large business.

Choose your payment method online

This system performs a few tasks for transaction completion:

Encryption

A browser protects data transferred from the user to the provider's server. Then the system delivers data about the transaction of the payment process used by the acquiring bank.

Request for authorization

The system transfers data about the requested transaction to the issuing bank. After this, an authorization request is confirmed or rejected.

Fill in order

Once the payment system receives a reply to the request, it transfers the request to the website or mobile app to process different methods of payment.

Actually, this process lasts only for a few seconds. It is not as long as its description. Apart from payment processing, payment gateway providers perform other functions as well. They perform protection against fraud by verifying the recipient's address, verification of the address of a credit card holder, geolocation identification, and verification by scanning fingerprints etc.

Those who are familiar with e-commerce can note that the main goal is not only to identify what payment platform is better but also determine other factors you should consider to understand what platform will better fit your demands. Let's check particularities of some of them.

Comparison of payment gateways: Stripe vs PayPal vs Braintree

Braintree will be the first on our list of payment gateway comparison .

Braintree

PayPal purchased Braintree in 2013. One of the main problems with PayPal was in a redirection of the user from the seller's website to the PayPal server, and it required the user to be a registered service user. It was a reason for discontent from both parties, so the purchase of Braintree solved the problem.

Online payment platform Braintree provides developers with SDKs and adjusted API interfaces in six programming languages as well as with ready-made solutions for baskets. PayPal's Commerce feature, that was launched recently, means that dealers can integrate Purchase buttons into such apps like Pinterest or Facebook Messenger. Stripe's Relay feature may look similar to it. Braintree also has a phone support that is available for all customers.

Braintree website: pay with a few clicks

Braintree doesn't charge a monthly payment for processing payments either. It charges a commission for a transaction at the rate of 2.9% from transaction amount plus 30 cents per transaction. Braintree provides users with a special offer where your commission will be covered starting from $50.000 you processed.

If the amount you process exceeds $80,000 per month, you can get a discount.

If you receive PayPal via Braintree, you have no Braintree charges, but you will get PayPal payments.

If you receive Bitcoin via Braintree Coinbase option, your first processing in Coinbase with an amount of $1 million is free. After this, you will pay 1% of commission for conversion and 0.15% of the fee.

Some of famous clients of Braintree online payment gateway are Airbnb, Dropbox, Uber, Casper, Yelp, and others.

PayPal

PayPal can become a good alternative to other integrated payment systems in your web or mobile app. Of course, it can be integrated as the main solution, however, a lot of brands consider it as an alternative since some users don't want their credit card data to be stored on each trading platform where they made an order. PayPal is supported by all platforms. Since PayPal makes redirections to its website, you don't need a payment gateway integration . In case you want to add PayPal Express, redirection will be skipped, and Express API will submit all required information.

PayPal system on your tablet

Also, there is no necessity to pay a subscription fee. A standard rate is 3.4% plus 30 cents for a transaction. If the amount you receive monthly exceeds $3.000, you will be able to apply for PayPal Merchant Rate that reduces your fees when you increase sales. Thus, you can pay 2.4% of the standard rate depending on sales for the previous month. So, this is how payment gateway works .

Famous PayPal clients are Walmart, eBay, Adobe, and others.

Stripe

Processing payments in Stripe is conducted via its own servers. Therefore, there is no necessity to store confidential data and think about its compatibility with the PCI. Stripe's system verifies fraud on its own. Stripe offers libraries to developers in six programming languages from Java to Go as well as many community libraries.

It is worth noting that Stripe has many third-party integrations that don't require development skills, hosting or complicated adjustment from your side, like Shopify does it, for example.

But you may require a developer for the integration of this payment system into the app. Besides, if you need to add payment system into the website, there are ready-made JavaScript libraries, and also iOS and Android SDKs for mobile apps that support Apple Pay and Android Pay respectively. Stripe supports more than 100 currencies and it offers a few methods of online payment . Apart from debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Android Pay, Stripe support Bitcoin and Amex Express Checkout.

Stripe payment gateway to use

There won't be redirection for customers from your website. Verification will be conducted on the computer and optimized for mobile devices. In 2015, Stripe added a Relay product that allows developers to create a Purchase button in the third-party apps like Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Also, only Stripe allows users to receive payment via AliPay.

Stripe offers a standard fee to all users - 2.9% from each transaction plus 30 cents per transaction. It also provides discounts for enterprises that receive more than $80.000 per month. Also, Stripe allows users to make Bitcoin payments up to 5 bitcoins per day that equal to $625. This service also charges 0.8% from the transaction amount.

Famous clients of Stripe are Lyft, Instacart, Postmates, KhahAcademy, and Grab etc.

Full research - PayPal Vs Stripe Vs Braintree

I have no doubts that each of you can recognize the brand represented on the cover picture of this article. However, what factors contribute to the fact that practically every person in the world can recognize these two words on a red background? That's all a matter of brand identity development intended to explain the company's mission to customers and bring a positive experience.

In this article, we will tell you about the importance of branding, give several examples of successful campaigns, as well as some tips on how to brand your product on a budget.

What is branding in business?

The first thing you should understand is that branding does not exactly have to do with the logo, name, trademark or any other symbol of your company. Moreover, it cannot exist within the department of marketing only. I would say that all of these are nothing more than just components of brand development strategy but not the only things affecting it.

So, what is branding actually? Commonly, it is focused on the creation of awareness for a company, as well as the products or services it provides customers. In other words, branding contributes to the creation of the brand's image in your customers' minds.

Well, if not a slogan or logo then what helps customers form this image? That's the reasonable question with a little-blurred answer. In short, your brand's image depends on the total amount of all the impressions your customers get when interacting with anything connected with your business.

This way, the impressions the customers get can be based on a bunch of factors such as interaction with your product, the company or you personally. The last point is actually the reason why entrepreneurs all over the world start blogging and being interviewed actively. They are developing personal brand that way and to be closer to their target audience at the same time.

Each interaction tells customers something about your brand. So, if they're convinced a product or a service is advanced and innovative those traits become a part of your brand in their minds. Let's say that if you have a beautiful and easy to use e-commerce website , your brand may be perceived as experienced or even world-class. In contrast, if your design is poor and inconvenient you may look cheap and amateurish for your customers.

A few words about the design importance (Source: Kinesis )

Importance of branding to an organization

Nowadays, it is hard to underestimate the influence of a robust brand since the fight for customers is getting more intense each year. So, you should pay attention to brand building strategy since this process leads to a better understanding of business objectives, as well as allows you to align your marketing strategy.

Efficient brand marketing is able to generate new loyal customers along with increased revenue. Except for customer loyalty, it also brings loyal employees since a strong brand gives people something to believe in. Nevertheless, the brand effectivity can be measured not only by the number of purchases but the experience it provides customers with as well.

Let's consider the example of Coca-Cola and Pepsi as confirmation that shows the real power of branding, as well as how to create brand awareness correctly. In 1975, the marketers from Pepsi conducted a curious campaign. They proposed to people in various public places drink two sips of cola from cups that were not marked. After, they were asked which drink they liked most of all. Almost everyone has chosen the cup with Pepsi inside, so the winner was obvious.

The thing is that despite the fact consumers considered Pepsi to be better, Coca-Cola was dominating over Pepsi in market share. So does now, over 40 years after this campaign .

Scholars decided to study physiological reasons on why that choice was made by consumers. Without going into medical details, they conducted their tests with the help of a machine, tracking brain activity.

At first, they were sticking to the original conditions - participants had no idea what they were drinking. The outcomes were exactly the same as after the campaign in 1975 - they liked Pepsi more but now it was proven by the machine.

On the next stage of their research, scientists told participants what exactly they were going to drink. Then, the machine defined that Coke was the winner. As it turned out, drinking the known beverage our brain does not evaluate the taste itself, but memories and experience connected with a particular brand. Scientists pointed out that was the consequences of branding .

Interesting, huh? That is one of the best brand stories showing the importance of branding and it seems like several new reasons to start thinking through your branding strategy. By the way, this example of brand power is applicable to any sphere, be it the digital industry with its mobile apps and games or even farming with its foodstuff.

Emotions that drive customers to purchase (Source: SMITH )

Well, today is the day.1 March 2018.  The first day of final voting. 28 February 2018 was “technically” the last day of the primary elections.  Originally, you should have already paid the fee for running for office and created you profile and platform for office.  You also should have uploaded your CV/Resume and ID Card.

On 27 February 2018, CEC Publishes Regulations on Final Voting for Members of Parliament .  This document outlines the voting for the 1 to 9 March timeframe and the fee promissory letter.  This letter must be submitted during the 1 to 9 March time frame and must be paid by April 1 ^st .  Presumably the first Parliament of Asgardia will be announced/formed on 1 April 2018.  I will have commend the CEC as they have given candidates, on a case by case basis, the option to make payment arrangements beyond the 1 April 2018 date.

Also, there is a significant new but reasonable requirement contained in the document:

“An official statement that is not older than two weeks issued by respective authorities of the country of residence that he/she has no criminal record .”  Also, Agardia reserves the right to run an international criminal background check.

I believe we have really gotten to the point where the rubber is meeting the road and this shared dream of ours is about to take its first steps. There has been plenty of surprises along the way and as I write this there may be one or two more but we must keep our eyes on Dr. Ashurbeyli’s and our collective dream.  We must keep our heads high as this is something that has never been done.  We are not putting forth career [corrupt] politicians.  We are putting forth a Parliament of, for and by the people.  It is a truly idealistic and fresh new approach to governance.

We the Parliament have much work ahead of us but together we can!

“Asgardia.  One People and One Vision.  Together We Can.”

You can read my platform here: https://asgardia.space/en/user/6562/profile/view/

The connection between a seller and a customer has always been difficult before a mobile boom. Everything has changed since weve gotten used to having everything we need in a smartphone. Now, you can acquire users just by sitting at home or from any part of the world. Some customers prefer to order used things in their area instead of paying an arm and leg for long distance shipping. And if you are interested in a mobile solution development for local customers and sellers, well try to explain how to create such a solution the best possible way.

We know that the leading applications to sell stuff locally are LetGo, Caurousell and OfferUp.

The OfferUp developers claim that their users spend approximately 25 minutes a day in their app, just like for Instagram and Snapchat. The use of mobile applications is growing in all business areas and its a great opportunity for a P2P e-commerce market to create your own marketplace mobile app . The secret to success is simple. The easier and more comfortable the way you connect a customer and a seller is, the more successful your application will be.

Best local selling apps

The common feature of the apps like Offer Up , Carousell and LetGo is that they allow a seller to give goods free of charge. Its a great way to get rid of some small items, which you cant sell on eBay because the service charges a commission for every transaction.

LetGo app allows you to sell stuff online in a particular area quickly and easily. The service is so easy to use you can sign up via a Facebook account. And because the system cares about the security of the platform, social registration gives an opportunity to check the data of all users. Customers and sellers communicate in the chat on the platform. And you can upload photos of the items you want to sell immediately using the built-in camera in the app.

Let Go app

Carousell is one of the best marketplace apps, where you can find anything from cosmetics to automobiles. The system works similar to LetGo. A user has to upload 4 photos of an item and its description. Built-in chat, convenient search options, with the help of this application you can sell not only in your area but in other areas too. The app is also integrated with social networks, so a user can share ads there. However, Carousell marketplace has one distinction, you cant pay here. A customer can either meet with seller personally or use such services as PayPal, for instance. By doing this, service allows users to use whichever payment most convenient for them.

Carousell application

OfferUp app is the biggest marketplace for local customers and sellers. The app provides security because it allows every user to build their reputation on their profile page. Just like on eBay, users can rate a person after a deal. As well as that, customers can join their service TryYou and add their ID to prove the authenticity of a profile. The system provides a security chat but the deals are conducted personally.

Offer Up app

Business model of apps like Offer Up, LetGo and Carousell

How does OfferUp work ? These services have lots of things in common and work pretty similar. And one of these similarities is a business model which, as they claim, they dont have. These selling apps dont charge the commission for registration, profile creation, and not even for the number of ads. More than that, they dont take a commission for a deal. OfferUp developers intended to earn exclusively on advertising to keep the service free and available for everyone.

Yet, if you want to create an app like LetGo, Carousell or Offerup, we suggest you taking into consideration some of these monetization strategies.

Local marketplace app monetization strategies

Online transactions

If customers can pay via your app, you can charge a fixed price or a percent of every deal. Its easy to do with some third-party services like Stripe, for instance.

In-app-purchases

What is meant here is the ability to buy some special offers, or sellers can pay to place their ads at the top.

Delivery

Your service can also be a mediator allowing sellers to expand the trading territory.

Internal ads

An opportunity to publish action offers, special offers and a system of internal recommendations.

How great it is if there are people around you with the same passion as you have? What if your passion is a game and you need a partner but all your friends either too busy or just dont like it? Well, if you are keen on golf then we have some great news for you. Because we managed to create an app that helps users not only find a competitor for a game but much much more. Let us tell you how it all started...

How it all began

Once upon a time, there was a Swiss guy who was fond of golf. He liked playing golf with his wife but he wanted to find more experienced players in his area. So he tried to find such an app. And when he realized that there is no such, he decided to make it. He hired a development team and they made an application for him. Unfortunately, our future client met men of no scruples so his software simply didnt work.

Some people would have considered it as a fail. However, our customer is a very persistent and purposeful gentleman. He hired a technical consultant and they started looking for someone experienced and reliable who they could trust. Thats how they found us.

The client wrote us in a support chat with the request to check his existing application and say if we can fix it. Unfortunately, the code of an existing app was written badly and so we couldnt use it at all. We offered to develop the app from the scratch and this is how it all began.

Functionality description

First of all, we prepared all the documentation to the projec t. The estimation was 3 500 hours because the project was going to be vast. The customer wanted to develop iOS and Android apps at the same time plus an admin panel with lots of functionality. But first things first, lets take a look at the functionality of the applications.

The app itself has three modes. The first mode allows users find competitors and arrange time and place for a game without bets. In a second mode, you find a competitor set time and place and you set a prize for a winner. It can be either money or anything else you both agreed with. And the third mode is a dating mode, where you may find a competitor you can date with.

The app has free and paid accounts. A user can register with the help of an email, Linkedin or Facebook.

MatchPlayer - app for golf players all around the world

In the app, there is a live chat to talk to a person without living the app. But the most interesting (and the most complex) feature was a search engine with multiple filters in each mode . For instance, if you are looking for a partner, you can indicate two locations - your home and a club you play in. You can also search people by age, gender, time and dates a person is available for a game and ranking (because if you are a pro, you may not want to play with an amateur). In a dating mode, there are even more filters. Among all others, here you can indicate desirable weight and height of a person you want to date with.

After you have played with your competitor you enter your score into a table. Your competitor has to the results of a game. If he or she doesnt, they appeal to admin.

Here you can also find newsfeed. It is formed with the posts from users which means that every user can post a picture, text or share an interesting link. Admin can also post here some news about the application. The application supports two languages, English and German.

Best application for golf players

In the app, you can do much more than just search for other golf fans. For instance, you can shop here. Yes, thats right, you can purchase golf items right in the app. What is more, you can even book a golf tour to another country via the app !

Travelling mode in MatchPlayer

But that was just a tip of the iceberg. The most interesting is a part which users dont see. Its an admin panel that is packed with lots of analytical and statistics functionality. An Admin can check scores of each player and see different statistics ranking tables based on a particular golf club or region or country. He also manages promo codes that allow new users to get a premium account. Ads management (admin does it by himself). Users management, news management, golf club import and export ( there are more than 24 thousand of golf clubs in the app ), users export and much more.

Read also article Golf App Development

The attempt to erase the borders between websites and mobile apps is still relevant. The feature implemented by Google that is called Instant Apps, intended to remove this obstacle. What if you could partially replace websites with apps? That's how this technology works. It allows users to use apps without installing them. Are you already intrigued? Let's find out what all that stuff is about.

What is Instant Apps technology?

Let's take a closer look at what Google Instant Apps technology is capable of. Instant Apps were announced at the conference Google I/O 2016. One-year later, at I/O 2017, the company officially declared that developers can start using this technology for their projects.

The concept that was realized in this technology allows programmers to develop applications that can be launched directly from Google Play without the necessity to be installed. When launching, the software written for this technology acts similarly to web apps. These apps are dynamically loaded, and after the work is completed -- they do not remain in the system. An ordinary link is enough to launch the software supporting Instant Apps.

Let's say you are searching for certain goods on the web by using your Android-powered smartphone or tablet. As soon as you find an attractive link in the search results and tap on it, your device will load a so-called minimal version of a full app that the website already has on Google Play. It may contain the minimum set of features like information about the product and the 'Buy' button or adopt more of a variety of features from original app.

In order to adopt your app to this technology, you should build an app with an easily detachable part that can be downloaded separately. At the same time, it is not necessary to build a new branch of code. The main thing is to call the Instant Apps Android programming interfaces to the right place. The rest is Google's magic. When the search engine decides that it is the right moment to show the app instead of a website -- it will make a query to Google Play to run the application.

Android Instant Apps example

Besides, Android Instant Apps can use the same technologies as ordinary apps that are installed on users' devices. Talking about compatibility issues, the technology supports devices with Android 4.1 and higher. In turn, they should also have the current set of Google Play services. Of course, the solution that Google provides us with does not give the full functionality of an app. Nevertheless, it allows users to dramatically save time and facilitate interaction with the Android ecosystem.

By the way, developers are willing to choose those features that will be accessible when Instant App mode is on. Moreover, you do not have to re-write the software code. It is enough to make some corrections in order to make the app run properly. With the launch of Android Studio 3.0, the company has provided mobile developers with all the necessary tools to modulate their apps. So, to get Android Instant Apps SDK you should have the version of Android Studio no lower than 3.0.

What about load time and traffic? Nowadays, a lot of websites are obese. It is not uncommon to meet a resource consuming 10MB of your users' traffic and even more sometimes. Such sizes are almost entire applications. Taking into account the fact that Instant Apps are only a part of the original app, their size tends to be smaller.

Full article - Android Instant Apps: Introduction to Cutting-Edge Technology from Google

In light of Decree 15 we are discussing how to implement a self-sustaining economy for Asgardia. As stated in my platform I am not an economist but I will offer the following idea as a piece of the puzzle to financial self-sustainability.

I would like for us to explore becoming the next Amazon. I am sure at this point you are thinking I am out of my mind but please hear me out. Also we are brainstorming at this point.

My thought here is that instead of Asgardians buying items from Amazon and other places we can buy it from Asgardia. Implementing a sales tax that is lower than other countries to incentivize purchasing from Asgardia and also will inflow revenue of the taxes plus profit on products.

An alternate version of this plan is for Asgardia to enter into partnership with Amazon or other retailers. Asgardia would get a portion of the sales to Asgardians.

Also, is NGO Asgardia eligible for smile. Amazon.com? With this a portion of purchases are returned to Asgardia. It's a small amount but it's better than a poke in the eye and doable now maybe.

So what do you think of this idea?

In light of Decree 15 we are discussing how to implement a self-sustaining economy for Asgardia. As stated in my platform I am not an economist but I will offer the following idea as a piece of the puzzle to financial self-sustainability.

I would like for us to explore becoming the next Amazon. I am sure at this point you are thinking I am out of my mind but please hear me out. Also we are brainstorming at this point.

My thought here is that instead of Asgardians buying items from Amazon and other places we can buy it from Asgardia. Implementing a sales tax that is lower than other countries to incentivize purchasing from Asgardia and also will inflow revenue of the taxes plus profit on products.

An alternate version of this plan is for Asgardia to enter into partnership with Amazon or other retailers. Asgardia would get a portion of the sales to Asgardians.

Also, is NGO Asgardia eligible for smile. Amazon.com? With this a portion of purchases are returned to Asgardia. It's a small amount but it's better than a poke in the eye and doable now maybe.

So what do you think of this idea?

What is GitHub: first source code repository

GitHub - a social repository for open source code projects that use Git for source code versions control. This host site is a distributed file version management systems. Linus Torvalds created this project for Linux kernel development control. Such projects like Chromium, jQuery, PHP, MediaWiki etc. use Git. Good news - this free software is released under GNU GPL license version 2!

The mission of GitHub is to make the development process quick and captivating, especially when a few individuals simultaneously are working on the same task. Apart from being a good tool, GitHub is a large educational source. This service includes more than 21 million of code hosts. So let's take a look at GitHub features .

GitHub benefits

GitHub is gaining the lead, in our opinion. And you should check out its strong sides to find out why.

Bug tracking

GitHub integrates this feature to simplify search and bugs fixing. To understand what should be done, a developer just opens the dashboard of each project and filters the information. Questions can also be sorted according to their popularity, update time and so forth. This software also has a convenient user interface that makes it source No.1 among the IT-developers. It can be an answer to your question 'Why should I use GitHub ?'

Find your project easily

GitHub allows finding easily open source code projects. Also, you can find an information concerning learning and searching of open source code projects and making them into groups. In addition, GitHub shows trend repositories and sort them by days, weeks, or months.

Meet new developers

Some thousands of new developers worldwide join the large network of GitHub users to share their experience and express ideas.

Share your experience

Gists allows users to share code, text fragments, or any information with other developers. It can be used for text exchange, and gists work as git repositories, therefore you can just bifurcate them and update their versions. So if you use it in open source code website , it can be a real alternative.

Coordinate your projects together

GitHub has effective and clear features for team management. Thus, that the efforts of people engaged in working on the project are easily coordinated through this source. In this case, the outcome of the work is high.

Integrated code search

GitHub supports code search whether it be from a specific project or a website. Moreover, this platform has a perfect SEO, so users can find any code string located in public repositories.

High compatibility

Most cloud hosting services perfectly match GitHub. Any project located on this source code hosting can be customized for these services within a few seconds.

Weak sides

• Only premium users can use all GitHub repositories. The price for using this service is rather high. Nevertheless, the quality of service it provides is worth the candle.
• Restrictions on file size . The repository can host information up to 1 Gb and file size cannot exceed 100 Mb.

GitHub page: find the code you need

What is GitLab: its meaning and features

Developed on the basis of Git version control system, GitLab is one of the best web platforms for hosting project source codes. Although GitLab is similar to GitHub in terms of functionality, it seems to be a better choice for teamwork than its famous counterpart and GitLab features may be different somewhat.

GitLab exists in two forms. The first one is SAAS - website with open registration, and the second one is an individual solution GitLab Community Edition. They both can be perfectly customized to any service.

GitLab benefits: reasons to use GitLab

What's interesting can you find on GitLab?

Free service

Users can find an unlimited number of private repositories in GitLab. This service is completely free. Nevertheless, there is a notification that users will have to pay for storing files that exceed 10 Gb in their size.

Open source code repository

GitLab software is available under the license with an open source code.

Free hosting

There is a Community Edition - free source code repository for Debian, Ubuntu and CentOS computers. Enterprise Edition is a paid solution that adds proprietary features over Community Edition, improving integration with other online tools, server options management, workflow management as well as authentication and integration with authorization.

Bug tracking mechanism

GitLab has an effective integrated bug tracking mechanism. Users can create tasks, comment and close them.

Files editing in the web interface

Editing of files is possible directly in the web interface and you can do it without loading of the repository. So if you need to make small changes in an open source code websites , this way is that what you need.

LDAP integration

Full integration with LDAP . Lightweight Directory Access Protocol is an app protocol for access and support of distributed directories services around the Internet. GitLab EE adds additional features such as support of several LDAP servers and group synchronization.

Its drawbacks

• The interface is rather slow - switching from one page to another takes some time.
• Technical problems with repositories are quite frequent.

GitLab platform to use source code hosting

What is BitBucket: third participant in a race

BitBucket can be called as a real worthy competitor to GitHub. Why BitBucket? Different operating systems support this platform. You just need to create to register on the official website and then you can create your personal account. In fact, it is based on a source code management mechanism. You can simultaneously use the code with integrated comments, and also make requests, manage and share your Git repositories. It is possible to create a flexible deployment model for any team. Moreover, you can get access to private and public repositories without any difficulties.

BitBucket advantages

And, finally, BitBucket comes into play!

Free for small teams

If your team includes no more than 5 individuals, you can get an unlimited number of free private repositories. So, this source code repository hosting doesn't charge a fee for each private repository, it charges a fee only for a number of repositories in total.

Query management system

BitBucket is provided with an integrated system of query management.

Authentication via GitHub

BitBucket supports social media and authentication via GitHub.

Integrated JIRA tool

Bug tracking tool JIRA is developed by Atlassian. You may be acquainted with the previous result of their work - BitBucket service. When the components of bug tracking are integrated, JIRA automatically updates information about problems when a new commit is performed in a BitBucket repository and here BitBucket benefits are obvious.

Repositories importing

Importing of existing repositories. Great feature, isn't it?

Discounts for students and teachers

Atlassian suggests student licenses for students and teachers for Atlassian products developed for educational purposes. BitBucket is included, therefore students and teachers can have unlimited private repositories with an unlimited number of participants.

Disadvantages

• Private repositories are free for a team with 5 members and fewer. If the team is larger, it will be necessary to pay for each additional team member.
• The only way of search is to launch repository and find it locally or use external apps.
• Not so stable as GitHub. Some problems during a work session may slow down the process.

Use Atlassian BitBucket for team work

GitHub vs BitBucket vs GitLab

I want to ask the question about your family's reaction to you embracing Asgardia?  My wife thinks I am crazy and this weekend when I was filling out the paperwork to renew my passport so that if elected to parliament I can travel to Vienna, Austria.  Her mom asked she is going with me to which my wife quipped, "No, somebody has to be here to contact the State Department when my husband gets kidnapped."  I responded, "well, you are my emergency contact with the State Department."

She has also admonished our kids to not mention to their classmates that daddy is running for parliament.

On a more serious note, I have explained to her the vision behind Asgardia.  She still thinks the whole idea of Asgardia is crazy talk even though she passively supports me in that she does not try to interfere with me pursuing this "dream."  She see that this idea is important to me and out of love she lets me pursue the dream.

So my question for you the reader, how has your family responded to your pursuit of this dream of Asgardia?  Are they supporting you, indifferent or actively trying to get you to stop?  What do you think it will take for them to see it as real?  Will the first Parliament meeting in Vienna be enough or will it take recognition by another country?  What do you think?

The digital evolution has touched many spheres of activities and the legal industry is not an exception. The popularity of mobile devices is increasing rapidly and has already surpassed desktops, so it is almost impossible to find a person who doesn't use a smartphone. The latest research conducted by Hootsuite shows that mobile phones make up 50% of global traffic having increased 30% in the last year, while desktops take 45% with a decrease of 20% .

Respectively, being the demanded product, mobile app developers provide these devices with tons of useful applications intended to solve a wide spectrum of problems. In other words, mobile apps can be used for any industry, it is only a matter of finding the right approach.

In this article, we will consider some reasons for legal companies to create their own law apps, as well as features it should have.

Benefits of having a law firm software

At the first glance, the creation of a mobile solution for your law firm may seem to be senseless. However, let's just look at things from a different angle. A mobile app is not just a way to improve your customers' experience but a solution with powerful marketing potential as well.

Let's consider several main points in favor of having a software for law firms.

It is a global standard nowadays

Just look around, there are thousand of world-known companies from different industries that already use mobile apps as a mean to build loyalty, advertise a brand or provide their customers with a cutting-edge experience.

Companies that already have mobile app strategies

You may say that the companies listed above have unbelievably huge budgets, so they can afford to have an app. However, the IT market is growing and it is not as difficult nowadays to find affordable app developers as it was during some time after the introduction of Android and iOS.

The law firms that have got law apps already are on their way to learn how to deal with the opportunities that bring mobile solutions efficiently. That means they are one step ahead of their competitors that have no app.

Apps are perfect for content

There are dozens of activities that law firms are faced with daily. All of them can be optimized for an app to conveniently access a certain type of a content. Such content can be guidebooks, charts for law comparison, various calculators, recruitment and client training tools etc.

Your customers want an app

According to statistics, over 76% of adult Internet users within the US are searching for a lawyer with the help of online resources and 36% of them search via their smartphones or tablets. Studies show that users prefer using mobile apps over mobile-friendly websites .

We can see that they spend 86% of the time on mobile apps and only 14% on searching the web. Moreover, the average time that users spend on apps is increasing from year to year, unlike browsing that is decreasing.

Time spent on different app categories

As it was already mentioned, the core of a successful law apps is a well-thought out approach to customers, including features and information they would like to have access to.

This way, many branded apps of law firms are providing their users with an opportunity to get updates concerning their case right in the app in order not to let their customers drown in an ocean of emails. Moreover, if there is something urgent to say, your iOS/ Android developers can set up push notifications.

Types of legal mobile apps

Now, when you are aware of some advantages of creating law apps, it is high time to decide on a type of application depending on your preferences, mobile strategy and/or sphere of activity. Generally, law apps can be divided into ones needed for a company's inner processes or for ones that are more customer-oriented.

Building an app for lawyers

Obviously, the functionality of law firm software may vary and depend on a company's needs. However, you should remember that the cost to develop an app for lawyers is fully based on features you expect to see there. Underneath, you can find several variants of utilization that your lawyer application can be applied for:

• Promotion of a firm
• Generation of referrals
• Customers retention and loyalty encouragement
• Efficient time and money management

In order to help you determine the appropriate functionality and type of your software for lawyers, we turned to research conducted by Fliplet to provide you with more statistics of your possible competitors.

So, according to the study, event apps take the leading position having 59% of the total law firms apps developed in 2016 or 2017. Reference/content marketing applications take 27.4% and they are followed by interactive tools that have 10.9% . The client support apps take only 9.6% .

Moreover, in the same research, we have found some curious figures concerning law firms and legal apps for lawyers , you can look through them on the picture below.

Statistics showing the growth of legal apps (Source: Fliplet )

As you can see, the types of legal apps are not limited to solutions for customers. A high percentage of apps are focused on being used by the company's employees.

Creation of software for attorneys

Around 91% of all attorney specialists apply apps for their professional needs. Generally, the main features intended to facilitate the daily duties of legal sphere workers are the following:

• Communication with colleagues
• Recruiting tools
• Organizers (e.g. calendar, meeting scheduling, bookings and so on)
• Transformation of voice into the text
• Storing, sharing and managing documents

Besides, these types of law apps for iPhone and Android can be used to give your partners access to certain information or the company's services. Additionally, you can implement a feature that allows you to sign contracts in electronic format. That feature is able to save a lot of time and increase efficiency.

Another feature contributing to increasing efficiency is a document library. By implementing it in your app, you allow your employees to work on documents on the go.

Also, to avoid long searches of particular laws in heavy books, you can simply integrate them into your app and look through them every time you need, having the device at hand.

Creation of legal apps oriented to customers

Basically, law firm apps were just a kind of brochures and could not propose many really valuable features and opportunities for their users. However, with the development of the IT industry, it became understood that apps have the great potential for providing better service.

In our time, when the quality of service has become one of the main ways to win the competition, mobile apps unleashed their potential driving more loyalty and credibility to brands.

The multiple studies conducted over recent years show that it is more convenient for modern customers to set up a meeting in written form rather than pick up a phone. So, if you want your application for lawyer or user to be valuable for users, this feature is a must.

However, not only scheduling appointments may be useful for your users. You can also provide them with an opportunity to access all the relevant information about their case.

The list of basic features for legal apps for lawyers and users oriented to customers is the following:

• Synchronization between an app and website
• Push notifications for keeping customers informed In-built chat
• Support of cloud storages for sending files (e.g. Dropbox)
• FAQs and different supporting materials
• 
  

Full article about law apps

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