Steam is powerful, hot, and painful. It can move trains, boats, and has driven minds crazy with the power of invention. And now, the power of steam has come to Linux. That’s right, Linux. Until recently Linux users were the most unloved members of the gaming world. They have been the outcasts, the rejects in the corner who preferred an operating system, which quite frankly, is the most logical of all of them. They are Linux users. And now, they have arrived.

Ok, enough with the dramatics; Portal is available if you’re running Valve’s Linux Steam client, you’ve got it. If you don’t have it, get it, because the Steam Box is coming. While PC, Xbox, Play Station, and Mac users have all had a gaming advantage, the love for Linux users has never been there. Until now.

Linux gamers now have access to Valve’s Half-Life,Half-Life: Blue Shift, and the just-released beta Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2). And that’s good news.

For all the mega super awesomeness that this news could potentially be, it’s not quite the best. Valve’s current catalog for Linux is still quite sparse. With only 13 titles as of this article, it’s barely a scratch against the wall of Mac and PC game titles out there, but hey, it’s a start. I mean, Portal is a game from 2007, and the original Half-Life was first published in 1998.

This padding of the Linux library is likely part of preparations for the Steam Box console, which is expected to run the OS. Valve’s entire catalog will probably be available for Linux before long. The question is whether any other big-name developers will follow suit. There are over 100 Linux titles on Steam right now, but most of them are smaller games from indie developers. The Steam Box may have to stream games from a Windows-equipped PC if it wants to offer a similar selection of blockbusters to next-generation consoles.

Now, Remember that Valve utilizes a Direct3D -> OpenGL layer for its ports. It takes the D3D9 with extensions and dynamically created oGL calls. Not only does have to call oGL but it also has to deal with that translation overhead. Despite that, it still ends up being faster than native DX where no translation is done.They still use d3d9 but go through live translation to oGL calls and still they outperform the native DX9 implementation despite having the same limitations. Faster than native despite having additional translation overhead is nothing short of impressive especially when you consider Valve had next to no oGL experience when they started this ( although then basically then hired an all-staroGL team to carry out the endeavor.

It’s hard to talk about the Linux OS without talking about the Steam Box, which, if you believe Valve head Gabe Newell, is the console killer. Newell has confirmed that Valve’s own Steam Box will come packaged with Linux. The OS is anathema to the walled gardens of Windows, being both free and open-source. It’s just as alien to the Xbox and Playstation front-ends. Where they curate content and load up with adverts, the Steam Box is as open as an average PC.

Newell says you’re free to install Windows on Valve’s Linux box, and download whatever you fancy. Imagine a console with Adblock. Imagine a console that isn’t hamstrung by its components half a decade down the line, a console that doesn’t force its creator to make a loss on each sale or to devote a gigantic chunk of budget half way through its life cycle to make its successor.

The Steam Box should scare console makers. 2012 was a monster year for PC gaming, the portents of doom that dogged the platform for years finally shaken off as the once dominant consoles felt their teeth grow too long.

 

With the upcoming Steam Box, and Portal and Left for Dead 2 coming to Linux, the rise of the few should be a concern to all.

 

Author Bio: The article is written by Jason Phillips, a freelance writer and an enthusiast. His passion about gaming inspired him to write gaming articles, blog about gaming and starting an online gaming site Zombie Games 365.

I received a Swekey in the mail this week. What’s a Swekey you ask?

Like regular keys protect your car and your home against thieves and burglars, the swekey protects your internet accounts against any kind of piracy

Any swekey protected web site will never accept to log you in if your swekey is not plugged into your computer… Read more

So I am going to start off by stating that there is a WordPress plugin to enable this handy little USB key on WordPress powered sites. For information on the plugin you can visit it on the plugin directory.

Hopefully you’re using the latest WordPress install (2.7.1), in which you can head to the plugins menu and click on Add New. Do a search for Swekey and install the latest version (which at the time of writing this was version 1.0.7).

Once you’ve got the latest version installed head into your settings and find the Swekey setting page which will look like:

I’m going to have to do some research on the first three options in the setting page, which I am not sure what other server URL I’d use or if needed be outside the localhost (which I am assuming is default — or left blank as it states).

The fourth option asks you whether you want to accept regular login’s without the swekey (in cause of misplacement) or to only allow login access with the swekey. For the most part I would not choose the latter option as the swekey isn’t that popular. This also might only be handy at the current state to the people inside the development of the Swekey, but a good idea none the less.

The next option inside the setting panel will either allow or disallow your users to attach/detach there profiles with the swekey to your site. If you’re site doesn’t allow users to register and you hand register everyone, you may want to do the same with this option.

Second to last, you can edit the Supported Brands: 8 chars hexadecimal upper case value. Which at this time am not sure what it does..yet.

The last option is simply a placement for the swekey logo if you choose to upload one.

So now we’ve got the plugin installed, I guess I better get to using and testing it before continuing anymore.. 🙂

React js

There is no denying the fact that the IT world is dominated by a plethora of programming languages and libraries. React js is considered among the top javascript framework that has given a new meaning to front-end development and the open-source community. I guess it’s the perfect time to revisit the technology and understand why it’s so popular in the first place.

Right from simplicity to reusable components, dynamic web apps, fast rendering, SEO support, testability, and so forth are certain reasons the javascript library is used to create robust and dynamic user interfaces for web applications. Of course, the following post is not about what is react js and why the javascript library is so much in use. I am pretty sure you must have covered this part already. The post emphasizes the top skills React js developers in India must take into consideration. You see the technology itself is so popular that every budding programmer aims to excel at it. As a result, it does require a certain level of expertise, skill, and maturity to offer the best of development work. So yes eventually we will be covering the top react developer skills.

Now many of you have this misconception that Reactjs and React Native are the same. Well, Reactjs and react-native both are different. Reactjs is a Javascript library mainly used to create highly functional and complex interfaces whereas React Native offers a native feeling to your mobile applications. However, this one needs separate space and it’s a vast topic. Now without any further ado, it’s time to hire ReactJS developers tagged with a certain set of predefined skill sets and duties.

What Skills Needed to Become a Good React.js Developer? (Silo)                                         1

React js Developer Skills – These Ingredients Make a Skilled Developer                               1

ReactJS Developer – Roles And Responsibilities towards the React Library                          3

What are the Skills Required to Become a Good React Developer                                          4

Technical/Functional Programming Skills                                                                            5

JavaScript Fundamentals + ES6                                                                                    5

GIT                                                                                                                                  5

HTML + CSS                                                                                                                  5

Soft Skills                                                                                                                              6

Great communication skills                                                                                            6

Acceptance                                                                                                                     6

Problem-solving approach                                                                                              6

Constructive feedback                                                                                                    6

Team player                                                                                                                    6

Conclusion                                                                                                                                  7

ReactJS Developer – Roles And Responsibilities towards the React Library

Those who aspire to become React js developers must be well-acquainted with the fact that Dropbox, Khan Academy, Yahoo! Mail, New York Times, Netflix, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Codecademy, Uber, etc are some of the best use case examples when it comes to React js. And as from the developer’s perspective, it comprises numerous crucial features such as:-

• Learn once, write anywhere
• Easy to create interactive UI
• Predictable and easy to debug code
• Building encapsulated components
• Creation of new code without rewriting code
• JavaScript Syntax Extension (JSX)
• Virtual DOM and one-way data binding

Who is a React js developer? Much like any other professional a React js developer is solely responsible for designing and implementing UI components for Javascript-based web applications and mobile applications with the help of open-source library infrastructure. A developer is entirely responsible for accomplishing the entire development process starting from conception to the major testing process and following popular ReactJS workflows like Flux.

Commonly known as front-end developers, React js developers build modern-day UI components to improvise application performance. They leverage their knowledge about JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React library and work closely with testers, web designers, and project managers to create a robust and effective application.

Also, ReactJS developers enable business owners to focus on their core business areas, without having to bother about other IT-related activities. This has helped big time in enhancing client satisfaction. Before you even think about the cost to hire React developers, it’s time to focus on their basic Day-to-day tasks:-

• Keeping a constant track on the latest trends
• Meeting the client’s expectations
• A Reactjs developer tend to build intuitive and simplistic design
• Creating apps that are extremely scalable and flexible and that appeal to the masses
• SEO friendly
• A react developer helps in increasing the popularity of the application and product through effective UI/UX

Further below I would like to mention certain roles and responsibilities react developers are often asked to follow.

• He or she must be well-known with the javascript fundamentals.
• A react developer must have the potential to leverage the toolkit for creating frontend features.
• Next a Reactjs developer must be capable enough to create data visualization tools, libraries, and reusable code for prospects
• Integrate designs and wireframes within the application code
• Other than creating, a react developer must enhance application performance by keeping a constant eye.
• Optimize components to work seamlessly across different browsers and devices
• A react js developer must have a good understanding of CSS libraries, GIT, Sigma, Adobe XD etc
• By following responsive web principles, a react developer creates responsive web-based UI

Apart from these a react js developer must be able to translate wireframes and designs into good quality code by using array methods. He must consider thorough reviewing of applications needs and interfacing elements. Lastly, a react js developer must stick to the concept of proper documentation.

What are the Skills Required to become a Good React Developer

Today it has become very crucial to up your development game and nothing works wonders than choosing a high-end functional programming framework from your arsenal for the upcoming web application development projects. However using such a development framework eases the task of development but to ensure that framework is used at its best and true potential, one does require to consider reputable react js application development companies across the globe who have a proven track record of developing high-end, scalable applications.

Further below I would like to mention what are the essential skills required to become a Good Reactjs Developer. More or less these are the top react developer skills worth taking into consideration.

Technical/Functional Programming Skills

JavaScript Fundamentals + ES6

Without having a firm understanding of these javascript fundamentals ES6, it is next to impossible for one to become a successful reactjs developer. Let us delve into the details:

The first and foremost aspect is Variables and Scoping. Here a js developer must understand when and where you have access to the data. Now, what are these variables? Basically, they are mechanisms built into Javascript enabling programmers to hold onto data in memory and access that data later on within our applications.

Second, we have Array methods. One of the crucial aspects offered by React technology is that it has the capability to store data and access it within arrays and objects. The built-in JavaScript array methods are essential tools in every developer’s toolbox.

Next is DOM manipulation. Here manipulating the actual DOM elements can be a tricky task. Well, now we have the JSX abstraction at our disposal. Things have become easier than before.

Functions and arrow functions, here each component acts as a lego brick. It all depends on your smartness and spontaneity. How do you as a developer fit all these together?

GIT

Almost all coders who keep themselves busy during the development process are asked to be acquainted with the Git toolkit. Apart from this, by using Git, developers have the flexibility to add as well as update projects on different coding forums such as GitHub, Gitlab, and BitBucket. Some of the common tasks here include: merging strategies, handling conflicts, interrogating changes using push and pull options.

        HTML + CSS

Another basic but crucial technical skill React developers must take into account is HTML + CSS. I mean you aren’t called a front-end developer especially if you aren’t acquainted with HTML and CSS. So what exactly does this mean?

First, he must be able to work with and write semantic HTML tags and CSS selectors.

Second, he must implement a CSS reset.

Third, Understand the box model and how to reset to border-box and flexbox.

• Node + NPM

Having a high-end knowledge of javascript is a must but if a developer has knowledge of nodes then it could be an added advantage. Businesses often prefer Reactjs developers who have a decent knowledge of nodes. At least, he could effectively exhibit the development needs of the client-side.

In addition to all these, developers must be skilled at different tools and technologies. For example, using sentry to fix crashes and real-time monitoring, Bitrise for increased automation, in case of crash reporting, managing testers, beta distribution – the developer must be able to use the hockey app, Redux to manage the application state, jest – a Ready-to-use tool for testing JS code and so forth.

Soft Skills

Now, do you think an ideal front-end developer must be limited to technical skills? Absolutely not, the right programmer is said to be the one who comprises exceptional soft skills. Let us unveil what exactly kind of soft skills they must possess?

Great communication skills

Building an app is no one-man show. It requires a team and to effectively manage the team it is very crucial to communicate well. So an ideal programmer is expected to communicate fluently.

Acceptance

Apart from strong communication, React developers are open to ideas and solutions proposed by others. They cannot be blinded by their own egos.

Problem-solving approach

Attitude matters the most! Of course, when you are creating something mistakes are bound to happen. It’s the way that makes a developer a cut above. How he handles the problem. This approach not just affects the developer but also the entire team as well.

Constructive feedback

There are no failures, there is always significant feedback. Every suggestion and piece of criticism should be backed by matter-of-fact arguments. And if you are the kind of person who goes by emotions and personal differences then the field is absolutely not meant for you.

Team player

Last but certainly not least, react js developers always tend to work in a team. Henceforth, they must be a team player – capable enough to consider every aspect of the team and then proceed further. A team of people gets things done. A good team player plays a crucial role in agile teams, where cooperation and working together on a common goal are crucial to finish the sprints.

 

Conclusion

So this is it! I do agree with the fact that hiring a skillful react developer could be a stressful experience but by following the above-mentioned traits it becomes way easier. In case you have any doubt or queries regarding the same, feel free to mention that in the comment section below.