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    <title>DEV Community: Oleksandr Dehtiarov</title>
    <description>The latest articles on DEV Community by Oleksandr Dehtiarov (@alex_deg).</description>
    <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg</link>
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      <title>DEV Community: Oleksandr Dehtiarov</title>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg</link>
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    <language>en</language>
    <item>
      <title>Why Developers Should Care About Access Control</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:35:38 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/why-developers-should-care-about-access-control-31b2</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/why-developers-should-care-about-access-control-31b2</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We live in a time where almost every business has an online presence. It is the developers who build business websites using coding techniques and interactive designs. So, with every business on the network, it is important to secure your platform and infrastructure from online scams, breaches, and hackers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This is where access control comes in handy. It serves as a critical layer of security that defines who can access what within a system. In this article, we will discuss compelling reasons why developers should focus on access control.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Focus on Access Control&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access control is one of the most important parts of any online business that gathers information and data. It protects all devices within your IT infrastructure, reduces the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The main aim of access control is to regulate and control who can view or use the data within your network. In addition, it has implications regarding legal compliance regulations that vary from industry to industry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Here are more reasons why you should care about access control:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Effective audit control&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access control tells who did what, when, and how. Therefore, by logging access events, developers can enable audit control, which is important for both security investigations and compliance reporting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://specopssoft.com/active-directory-auditing-tools/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;span&gt;free Active Directory audit tools&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; that you can use to strengthen audit capabilities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;These can address security flaws to improve IT infrastructure. In addition, an audit tool can scan weak, compromised, or reused passwords by comparing them against a database of over 1 billion leaked credentials.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;It helps you maintain accountability and meet regulatory requirements for transparency and data governance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Prevent cyber threats&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You know access control also works as a deterrent. It not only controls who can access your system or data, but also implements needed barriers to make unauthorised access difficult. In this way, it protects developers’ projects from both outside and internal cyber threats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;By enforcing role-based permissions and tracking all actions via audit logs, access control reduces the blast radius of insider actions and ensures accountability.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stay legal and compliant &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Now, there are many laws in every country for online security that every business needs to follow. And, as a developer, you can help build a secure website for your client to make them compliant with local data protection law.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;It is especially best for websites that collect or store any personal information of users, such as names, emails, phone numbers, payment details, etc. Access control with proper &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://dev.to/alex750/the-future-of-authentication-thought-and-emotion-fingerprints-1fjk"&gt;&lt;span&gt;authentication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; helps protect data from unauthorised access.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Access Control Works?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access control can be discussed under two control systems: one physical and the other logical.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Physical access control involves giving access to the physical assets of your business. It includes security cards, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://science.howstuffworks.com/fingerprinting1.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;span&gt;fingerprints&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;, face recognition, and more. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;On the other hand, logical access control limits access to your digital infrastructure, which includes computers, files, online data, logins, and more. This access control is important for developers to focus on. It includes implementing strong passwords to prevent unauthorised access.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The first step in access control is authentication, which defines who you are and what you want. After this, there is authorisation, which checks what permissions you have for website pages, data, files, etc. Depending upon it, your access request can be approved or denied. It means if you have authorisation to access some content, you can see it; otherwise, you can't. It helps in protecting against unauthorised access to user data and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://dev.to/exadra37/browser-based-cyber-threats-2pi8"&gt;&lt;span&gt;browser-based cyber threats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Closing Words &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Now you know that access control directly impacts security, usability, and scalability. So, it is very important for developers working on various projects, building business websites, and more. No matter if you are building a small &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cyberchimps.com/blog/e-commerce-websites/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;span&gt;e-commerce site&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; or a large enterprise portal, every project should have access control for both employees and customers. It helps protect sensitive data while making your clients worry-free from hackers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Being a developer, you should treat access control as a core development task to create websites that are not only functional but also secure, compliant, and ready to grow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>security</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The five rules I would follow to find a startup idea in 2025</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:01:32 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/the-five-rules-i-would-follow-to-find-a-startup-idea-in-2025-149d</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/the-five-rules-i-would-follow-to-find-a-startup-idea-in-2025-149d</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;At the end of 2022, I launched neural frames after what felt like a decade of searching for the right idea. I'd explored countless VC-backed concepts before landing on something I could build myself, bootstrap, and transform into a profitable business—all while having the time of my life.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Even back in 2022, the startup ecosystem was already incredible. Between Stripe handling payments, analytics tools tracking everything, and social media making promotion accessible, building had never been easier. But 2025? This is the golden era. The barrier to entry has practically vanished, and AI has blown open doors we didn't even know existed. There's an ocean of opportunities just waiting for someone to dive in.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you're starting now, you've got multiple chances to find your thing. Here's my playbook:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;1. Pick a problem you know&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Great ideas come from lived experience. You either need to immerse yourself in a specific field—talking to dozens of people, understanding their pain points—or better yet, solve a problem that's been bugging you personally.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;2025 is wild because AI can revolutionize almost any manual task: data migration, content creation, SEO optimization, invoice processing, research and analysis—if humans used to do it manually, AI can probably help.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;When you've experienced the problem firsthand, you're more likely to care about solving it. This matters more than you think. Success means countless hours working on this thing, and while motivation often grows with competence, starting in a field that bores you is a recipe for burnout. You need enough interest to fuel innovation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Ask yourself: Does my background give me unique insight into this problem?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For me, years of making music meant I understood the frustration of needing &lt;a href="https://www.neuralframes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;compelling visuals for my tracks&lt;/a&gt;. Plus, I'd spent countless hours tweaking synthesizer knobs just to see what would happen - both experiences shaped neural frames. Steve Jobs called this "connecting the dots," though honestly, these connections usually reveal themselves looking backward, not forward.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;2. Pick a good problem&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Here's the counterintuitive truth: a severe problem for a small group beats a minor inconvenience for millions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VCs chase billion-dollar markets - if they can't see that potential, they're out. This creates a perfect opportunity for bootstrappers. Find something genuinely painful for a specific niche.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Keyword research is your friend here. Tools like Ahrefs reveal what people are actually searching for. When I researched neural frames, "AI animation generator" showed 1,000+ monthly U.S. searches with minimal competition. That's validation—real people actively seeking solutions. Find similar signals for your idea and start ranking for those terms immediately.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;3. Try to sell as soon as possible&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Let's be clear: you're building a business, not a nonprofit. Making money isn't just okay - it's essential. Without revenue, you can't keep improving your product or serving your customers. When people pay for your solution, everyone wins.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Early monetization is also your best validation. Talk is cheap; payment is proof. When people pull out their credit cards, you know you're solving a real problem.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Some indie hackers even pre-sell before building anything. If you can manage that, fantastic—but at minimum, start charging as soon as you have something functional.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;4. Think problem first, technology second&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I cringe when developers say they want to "build something with XYZ technology." Save that for hobby projects while you're still punching the clock.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Building a business means obsessing over customer problems, not tech stacks. Your users don't care if you're using the latest framework—they care if you make their lives easier.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Stay problem-focused and use whatever tools get the job done. You'll be too busy actually building to chase every shiny new technology. Companies that put tech before problems always lose to those who do the opposite.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The right question about technology is: "What does this newly enable that wasn't possible before?"&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;5. Pick something you don't need external money for&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Hot take: Only raise money if you absolutely need it. Dreams of becoming the next Zuckerberg are fine, but for most builders in 2025, VC funding is a distraction.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Investment comes with obligations, board meetings, and pressure to target "sufficiently large" markets. I've watched profitable companies shut down because their steady growth didn't fit VC expectations of exponential returns.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The beautiful thing about 2025 is how little you need to start:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;AI coding assistants help you build MVPs at lightning speed&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Hosting costs are negligible (Vercel, Heroku, Hetzner)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stripe makes payment processing trivial&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;AI tools handle much of your marketing heavy lifting&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;All you really need is time, focus, and willingness to experiment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Consider this: if you can't build a basic MVP with minimal resources, it might not be the right idea—or the right time. Bootstrapping means total freedom to pivot, pause, or change direction without asking permission. In those crucial early days, that autonomy is priceless.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>startup</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>How Two Mentorship Programmes Helped Me Rethink My Tech Career</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:46:30 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/how-two-mentorship-programmes-helped-me-rethink-my-tech-career-52l6</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/how-two-mentorship-programmes-helped-me-rethink-my-tech-career-52l6</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;When I look back at the last eighteen months of my professional life, I can see a clear shift — not in the job title on my CV, but in the way I approach my work, my learning, and even my sense of belonging in tech. That shift didn’t happen overnight. It came through mentorship.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;I was lucky enough to be part of two very different, but equally formative, programmes: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span&gt;Beyond Boundaries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span&gt;Bridge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt;. Each one offered me something I didn’t even know I needed. And the mentors I met along the way — well, I’m still processing how much they changed things for me.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Starting with Beyond Boundaries: Permission to Take Up Space&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;I joined the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span&gt;Beyond Boundaries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt; programme at a time when I was questioning whether I even belonged in tech. I didn’t have a computer science degree, I wasn’t working at a FAANG company, and I felt like everyone around me spoke a language I hadn’t learned.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Beyond Boundaries was the first space where I felt seen &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span&gt;as I was&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt;. The application process alone asked me questions that made me reflect deeply on what I’d already achieved. Once I was matched with my mentor, a senior UX researcher who had also taken a non-traditional path, everything started to shift.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We met monthly and worked on tangible goals: improving my portfolio, preparing for a role transition, and navigating some difficult feedback at work. But it was more than just guidance. She challenged me to articulate my value clearly and repeatedly reminded me that my voice mattered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The community aspect was just as powerful. There were peer review sessions, Q&amp;amp;As, and workshops where I could ask “stupid questions” without feeling stupid. By the time the programme ended, I had a clearer sense of direction and — maybe more importantly — the confidence to pursue it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Bridge: Structure, Momentum, and Technical Growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A few months later, I applied to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span&gt;Bridge Mentorship Programme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt; after coming across the Bridge Tech Contest online. I didn’t win, but I must have caught someone’s attention, because I got an email inviting me to join their next mentorship cohort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Bridge had a different feel. It was faster-paced and more structured, and it pushed me hard. My mentor was a backend engineer who had worked at multiple high-growth startups, and from day one, he treated me like a peer. He gave me brutally honest feedback, handed me design challenges that were way above my comfort zone, and reviewed every pull request I sent him like it was production code.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;It was exactly what I needed. In that short time, I rewrote parts of my old projects, improved my system design skills, and learned how to advocate for better processes in my team. Bridge gave me technical clarity and professional momentum. It helped me level up in ways that showed up in my next job interview — and my next offer letter.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Two Programmes, One Clear Outcome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;What I appreciated most is how the two programmes complemented each other. Beyond Boundaries grounded me; Bridge pushed me forward. One gave me the language and space to reflect, the other gave me tools and speed to grow. Both gave me mentors who genuinely invested in my development.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;To anyone considering applying to either programme: do it. Not because it will magically solve your problems, but because it will give you a mirror and a map. You’ll meet people who challenge you, cheer you on, and quietly change your trajectory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;And if you’re already in a place where you can give back — consider becoming a mentor. I’m not there yet, but I hope to be soon. Because if there’s one thing these programmes taught me, it’s that no one builds a tech career alone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>mentorship</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Send Automated SMS Alerts Using Net2Phone and Python</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:59:46 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/send-automated-sms-alerts-using-net2phone-and-python-28ej</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/send-automated-sms-alerts-using-net2phone-and-python-28ej</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In today’s world, where speed and accessibility to information are crucial, automated SMS alerts have become an essential tool for businesses. Whether you're building a customer-facing platform or an internal monitoring system, SMS remains one of the most reliable communication channels — especially when using a trusted solution like the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.net2phone.com/products/small-business-phone-system" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;net2phone phone system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this guide, you’ll learn how to quickly set up SMS notifications using Net2Phone’s API and Python — from basic setup to event-based automation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;🧰 What You'll Need&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Before we dive in, make sure you have the following:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Net2Phone account&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; with API access&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Net2Phone API token&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Python 3.7+&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;requests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; library installed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;These components will allow you to connect to the Net2Phone API and send SMS messages programmatically.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;📦 Step 1: Install Dependencies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Python offers a simple way to make HTTP requests using the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;requests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; library. Let’s install it:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;bash&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Copy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Edit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;pip install requests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Also, ensure that Python and pip are properly configured on your system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;🔐 Step 2: Set Your API Credentials&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You’ll find your API token in your Net2Phone dashboard, typically under &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Developer/API Settings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;To keep your token secure, store it in a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;.env&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; file:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;NET2PHONE_API_TOKEN=your_api_token_here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Install and use the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;python-dotenv&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; library to load environment variables:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;bash&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Copy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Edit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;pip install python-dotenv&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;python&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Copy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Edit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;from dotenv import load_dotenv&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;import os&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;load_dotenv()&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;API_TOKEN = os.getenv("NET2PHONE_API_TOKEN")&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This method helps you avoid hardcoding sensitive data into your scripts and makes your code more portable and secure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;📤 Step 3: Send an SMS Message&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Net2Phone’s API allows you to send SMS messages via a simple POST request. Here’s a basic function to get you started:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;import requests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;def send_sms(to_number, from_number, message):&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    url = "https://api.net2phone.com/v1/sms"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    headers = {&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        "Authorization": f"Bearer {API_TOKEN}",&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        "Content-Type": "application/json"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    }&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    payload = {&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        "to": to_number,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        "from": from_number,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        "text": message&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    }&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    if response.status_code == 200:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        print("✅ SMS sent successfully!")&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    else:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        print(f"❌ Failed to send SMS: {response.status_code} - {response.text}")&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This function can serve as the foundation for any alert system — from server monitoring to customer notifications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;✅ Example Usage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;To send a message, just call the function with the required parameters:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;send_sms(&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    to_number="+15551234567",&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    from_number="+15557654321",&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    message="🚨 Server CPU usage is above 90%. Check immediately!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You can trigger it from:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A cron job&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A server monitoring script&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A webhook in your application&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This flexibility makes it easy to incorporate SMS alerts into your existing workflow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;🤖 Bonus: Automate with Alerts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Here’s a basic example where an SMS is sent if a simulated CPU usage threshold is exceeded:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;import random&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;def check_cpu_and_alert():&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    cpu_usage = random.randint(10, 100)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    print(f"Current CPU usage: {cpu_usage}%")&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;    if cpu_usage &amp;gt; 90:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        send_sms(&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;            to_number="+15551234567",&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;            from_number="+15557654321",&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;            message=f"⚠️ High CPU Usage Detected: {cpu_usage}%"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;        )&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;check_cpu_and_alert()&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You can easily scale this logic for different thresholds and systems — from new lead notifications to suspicious activity alerts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;🛡️ A Note on Security and API Limits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Before deploying to production, keep these best practices in mind:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Net2Phone enforces API rate limits — review their developer documentation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Never hardcode your API tokens directly in code.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Always use HTTPS and handle exceptions gracefully.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you plan to scale your integration, consider implementing logging, retry logic, and request throttling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;📌 Final Thoughts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Integrating SMS alerts using the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;net2phone phone system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; is a fast, scalable, and secure way to keep your team or users informed in real time. With just a few lines of Python, you can streamline alerts and improve your response time dramatically.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Ready to give it a try? Plug it into your project and see how easy it is to boost communication with instant SMS alerts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;📚 Useful Resources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Net2Phone Developer Docs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Python Requests Documentation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;span&gt;python-dotenv on PyPI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

</description>
      <category>python</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Reflecting on Our Win at the AI for Peer Inclusion Hackathon</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2025 11:23:04 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/reflecting-on-our-win-at-the-ai-for-peer-inclusion-hackathon-3mlc</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/reflecting-on-our-win-at-the-ai-for-peer-inclusion-hackathon-3mlc</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;It’s been a few months since the AI for Peer Inclusion hackathon wrapped up in February, and as a member of the SceneFlow team, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the experience and what our project has meant since then.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What We Built: SceneFlow&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;SceneFlow is an interactive social story generator designed specifically to support neurodiverse children as they prepare for everyday social situations. Our goal was to create a tool that simulates scenarios like joining new groups, responding to teasing, or apologising, offering a safe and engaging way to build social confidence.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What made this project truly special was how deeply we worked with autistic participants during development. Their insights helped shape everything - from the storylines to the interface - ensuring the tool was genuinely useful and respectful.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Hackathon Experience&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The hackathon itself was a whirlwind of creativity and collaboration. Over 48 hours, teams from around the world came together with a shared mission: to develop AI tools that promote inclusion and social connection for neurodiverse youth.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://theitcircle.org/news/ai-for-peer-inclusion-hackathon-winners-announced" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Winning the Impact Award – Best User-Centred Design&lt;/a&gt; was a proud moment for us. It recognised the emphasis we placed on co-design and the real needs of the community we wanted to serve.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Progress Since February&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Since the hackathon, we’ve been focused on refining SceneFlow further. We’ve expanded the scenarios, enhanced the AI to better personalise stories, and started conversations with schools and neurodiversity organisations about piloting the tool. The positive response has been encouraging and energising.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gratitude and Looking Forward&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;A huge thank you to Livia Oboroceanu for organising such a meaningful event and for providing a platform that goes beyond competition to foster real social impact. The hackathon brought together incredible talent and dedication, and it was inspiring to be part of it.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We’re excited about SceneFlow’s future and remain committed to creating technology that supports and uplifts neurodiverse communities.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>hackathon</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Telegram Mini Apps: Key Trends and Business Opportunities for 2025</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:08:52 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/telegram-mini-apps-key-trends-and-business-opportunities-for-2025-53am</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/telegram-mini-apps-key-trends-and-business-opportunities-for-2025-53am</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;In 2025, Telegram Mini Apps have quickly become one of the most innovative features within the Telegram ecosystem, offering businesses and developers an efficient and engaging platform to reach their target audiences. These web-based applications work directly within the Telegram interface, allowing users to complete tasks such as shopping, gaming, or managing cryptocurrency wallets without needing to download separate apps. In this article, we will explore the key trends surrounding Telegram Mini Apps and how businesses can leverage these trends to stay ahead of the curve.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h4&gt;Key Technological Features Shaping the Future of Telegram Mini Apps&lt;/h4&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. AI-Driven Personalization&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing the functionality of Telegram Mini Apps. From smarter chatbots that offer real-time assistance to personalized content recommendations, AI enables businesses to deliver tailored experiences to their users. By analyzing user behavior and preferences, AI algorithms ensure that users are shown content that resonates with them, increasing both engagement and satisfaction. For businesses, this means higher conversion rates and a better user experience, creating a win-win scenario for brands and users alike.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Integration with Web3 Technologies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;As the adoption of blockchain and decentralized technologies continues to grow, Telegram Mini Apps are embracing Web3 capabilities. This allows businesses to offer secure and transparent solutions to their users, including the ability to conduct cryptocurrency transactions, mint NFTs, and interact with decentralized platforms directly from within Telegram. For businesses targeting tech-savvy consumers, this integration presents new opportunities to engage users in the emerging Web3 ecosystem, providing a cutting-edge experience that stands out in the market.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. E-commerce and Seamless Shopping Experiences&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;The retail and e-commerce industries are capitalizing on Telegram Mini Apps to provide a frictionless shopping experience. These apps allow users to browse products, make purchases, and track their orders—all without leaving Telegram. The integration of payment gateways and geolocation services further enhances the shopping experience, providing convenience and accessibility. For businesses, Telegram Mini Apps offer a unique opportunity to engage with customers in an environment they are already familiar with, eliminating the need for users to switch between different apps to complete their transactions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Gamification and User Engagement&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;Gaming has been one of the most popular use cases for Telegram Mini Apps, with games like &lt;em&gt;Hamster Kombat&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Catizen&lt;/em&gt; becoming viral sensations. The use of gamification elements such as challenges, rewards, and progress tracking keeps users engaged and encourages them to return. This gamified approach not only enhances the user experience but also provides businesses with opportunities to monetize their Mini Apps through in-app purchases, ads, and sponsorships. As users continue to enjoy these interactive experiences, brands can leverage this trend to build deeper relationships with their audience.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Rapid Development and Cost Efficiency&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;One of the key advantages of developing Telegram Mini Apps is their speed and cost-effectiveness. Unlike traditional mobile apps, which require extensive resources and time for development and approval in app stores, Mini Apps are built using standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This allows developers to launch their apps quickly and at a fraction of the cost of building standalone apps. For startups and small businesses, this means they can rapidly prototype, test, and scale their products without significant upfront investment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6. Innovative Advertising Formats&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;As the Telegram Mini App ecosystem expands, innovative advertising formats are emerging. &lt;a href="https://telega.io/?r=UFg3xszp" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Telega.io&lt;/a&gt;, for example, allows businesses to integrate various ad formats within Mini Apps, such as rewarded ads, interactive banners, and gamified sponsorships. These ad formats are designed to blend seamlessly with the user experience, ensuring they are not intrusive while still offering brands an effective way to reach their target audience. By focusing on user engagement and delivering value, these new ad formats promise to increase both ad effectiveness and user satisfaction.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h4&gt;Why Telegram Mini Apps Are a Game-Changer for Businesses&lt;/h4&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Scalability for Growing Businesses&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;One of the most significant advantages of Telegram Mini Apps is their scalability. Businesses can reach millions of Telegram users without the need to invest in new infrastructure. As your audience grows, Telegram Mini Apps seamlessly integrate with the Telegram platform, allowing businesses to scale their operations without requiring substantial additional resources. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, Mini Apps provide a flexible and scalable solution for expanding your reach.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cost-Effective Advertising with Telega.io&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;Telega.io simplifies the process of advertising within Telegram Mini Apps. Through its powerful platform, businesses can promote their Mini Apps to targeted audiences at a fraction of traditional advertising costs. With access to a catalog of verified channels and advanced targeting options, businesses can ensure their ads reach the right audience at the right time, all while keeping costs under control.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cross-Industry Versatility&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;Telegram Mini Apps cater to a wide range of industries, offering businesses the ability to target specific user groups based on their behaviors and preferences.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;E-commerce&lt;/strong&gt;: With integrated payment systems and seamless order tracking, Mini Apps provide an ideal solution for retailers looking to enhance their shopping experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gaming&lt;/strong&gt;: Games within Telegram Mini Apps continue to gain traction, offering monetization through in-app purchases, ads, and sponsorships while allowing for advanced targeting by platform, user activity, and subscription status.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Education&lt;/strong&gt;: Educational institutions can utilize Telegram Mini Apps to manage courses, track progress, and provide interactive learning experiences, all while segmenting users based on engagement and behavior.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fma8zn6nl6dflx2o4zpn8.jpeg" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fma8zn6nl6dflx2o4zpn8.jpeg" alt="Image description" width="800" height="452"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h4&gt;Conclusion: Unlocking the Potential of Telegram Mini Apps for Your Business&lt;/h4&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Telegram Mini Apps represent a revolutionary shift in the way businesses can engage with their audiences. By leveraging the latest trends such as AI-driven personalization, Web3 integration, and gamification, businesses can create innovative, highly engaging experiences that resonate with users. Whether you're an e-commerce company, game developer, or educational institution, Telegram Mini Apps provide a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable platform to meet your business objectives.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As Telegram's user base continues to grow, so too does the potential for businesses to expand their reach. By incorporating these cutting-edge features into your marketing strategy, you can position your brand at the forefront of the digital transformation and stay ahead of the competition in 2025 and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>opensource</category>
      <category>telegram</category>
      <category>api</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Best Scanner Apps: Top 7 Picks for Document Scanning</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:30:58 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/best-scanner-apps-top-7-picks-for-document-scanning-12hf</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/best-scanner-apps-top-7-picks-for-document-scanning-12hf</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Scanning documents used to mean hunting for a bulky machine and praying for no paper jams, but now? Everyone can carry a scanner right in their pocket. With just a tap, that homework, contract, or old family recipe is saved—no special equipment needed.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The best scanner apps make it easy to capture, organize, and share important documents anytime, anywhere.&lt;/strong&gt; That means students, business pros, even people managing home paperwork can skip the hassle and keep everything digital. And honestly, isn’t it nice to know you’ll never lose that stray receipt at the bottom of your bag again?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;1) Adobe Scan&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Adobe Scan stands out for being simple, effective, and free. People on both iPhone and Android can grab it from their app stores. Once installed, it turns a phone or tablet into a handy scanner that creates PDFs in just a few taps.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The app uses smart text recognition, making scanned documents searchable. That’s a tiny detail but super useful when hunting for an old receipt or report. It seems like every office has a spot where paperwork piles up—imagine shrinking that mess right into your phone.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Some folks like how fast it scans, especially when you’re in a rush. Adobe Scan works well for forms, letters, notes, and even odd shapes. It connects easily with other tools, which streamlines things for busy professionals and students.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;2) Scanner App by Municorn&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://scanner.biz/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Scanner App&lt;/a&gt; turns a regular phone into a pocket-sized scanner, making paperwork easier than ever. Users can quickly scan receipts, homework, or handwritten notes, then turn them into neat PDF files—pretty handy when time's short or there's a mountain of papers to organize.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It's not just about snapping photos; it handles multi-page documents too. People juggling home and remote work, or even students with last-minute assignments, really appreciate having everything saved in one tidy file.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There's also smart text recognition, which helps when someone needs to find a keyword or pull out important info later. And for those who care about storage space (because who doesn't?), Scanner App keeps file sizes reasonable. It fits smoothly into just about any daily workflow.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;3) Microsoft Lens&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Microsoft Lens feels a bit like the multi-tool everyone wishes they had on hand at the office or at home. It takes photos of receipts, whiteboards, or documents and quickly turns them into clean PDFs, Word files, or even Excel sheets—pretty handy for anyone juggling paperwork.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Users can send documents directly to OneDrive, OneNote, or email, saving a few steps in the process. The handwriting recognition might surprise you; it's smart enough to make scanned scribbles readable text most of the time.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;4) Google Drive Scan&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Google Drive Scan makes grabbing a quick scan feel almost like snapping a photo—just point, tap, and you’re off to the races. It comes built right into the Google Drive app, so there’s no need for another download cluttering up your phone’s screen.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The simplicity is a real draw. Just open Google Drive, tap the camera button, and let your device capture the page. The scan saves directly to your Drive, and you can share the PDF with a tap—handy for work reports, receipts, or even the odd permission slip.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There’s not much flair here, but sometimes less really is more. Anyone who’s done office admin knows: reliability counts. And while it may not have fancy editing features, it’s quick, secure, and connects straight to the cloud.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;5) CamScanner&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;CamScanner’s been around for ages, and that’s probably why people mention it when they talk about scanner apps. It turns a phone’s camera into a handy document scanner—think receipts, contracts, handwritten notes, even quick whiteboard sketches after a meeting. It snaps, crops, and turns those photos into PDF, Word, or Excel files that are easy to send or save.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One thing users like is how it can scan multiple pages and put them together in the right order. That’s actually useful if someone works with reports or stacks of invoices. Some folks love that instant OCR (optical character recognition), making text searchable—no more scrolling aimlessly through long files.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;6) Abbyy FineReader&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Abbyy FineReader really stands out for those who scan all sorts of documents—receipts, contracts, even old birthday cards tucked in a drawer. It's known for quick scans and sharp text recognition, which feels like magic when turning paper into digital files on the fly.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;People appreciate how it plays well with both iPhones and iPads, making life smoother for anyone going back and forth between devices. It doesn't just stop at scanning, either; editing text directly in your PDF or sharing it with a team is pretty much a couple of taps away.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Strangely enough, some folks use FineReader not just for work but for personal stuff—saving recipes or archiving school notes. It helps that its organized storage keeps files neat and easy to find, almost like a trusty digital filing cabinet.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;7) TurboScan&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;TurboScan stands out for people who want a scanner app that just works, without the clutter. It turns a phone into a handy tool for scanning documents, receipts, or even whiteboards in a matter of seconds. Users mention how the interface is clean and practical—no extra fluff.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For those working remotely or managing paperwork on the go, TurboScan’s ability to handle multipage scans can genuinely make life easier. It’s great for anyone dealing with contracts, invoices, or any day-to-day business stuff—especially when fast, reliable results matter.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Though it’s not loaded with advanced editing tools, the app nails the core job: quick, clear scans. Plus, sharing PDFs via email or cloud storage feels straightforward, which means less hassle and more time to focus on actual work.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Inside Easylab AI: The Company That No Longer Writes Its Own Code</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:47:35 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/inside-easylab-ai-the-company-that-no-longer-writes-its-own-code-36b8</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/inside-easylab-ai-the-company-that-no-longer-writes-its-own-code-36b8</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;In an era where AI-assisted development is becoming the norm, one company has taken the leap further than most. Since October 2024, &lt;strong&gt;Easylab AI&lt;/strong&gt;, a Luxembourg-based firm specializing in applied artificial intelligence, has ceased writing production code manually altogether. Instead, the team relies entirely on &lt;strong&gt;a system of AI agents&lt;/strong&gt; powered by large language models like &lt;strong&gt;Claude 3.7&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;DeepSeek GPT 4.1&lt;/strong&gt; to build, test, and iterate on software projects—end to end.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The decision wasn’t taken lightly. Easylab AI develops intelligent systems for clients in sectors like logistics, customer service, and financial services. Reliability, security, and development velocity are all critical. But according to the company, the shift away from manual coding has not only improved output quality but also allowed engineers to focus on higher-level tasks such as architecture, validation, and system orchestration.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;“We realized that our bottleneck wasn’t technical anymore—it was cognitive. There was too much low-value work being done manually,” explains a lead engineer at Easylab AI. “We had access to extremely capable models, but we weren’t using them to their full potential.”&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The company’s current development workflow is based on a stack that includes &lt;strong&gt;bolt.new&lt;/strong&gt; for initial codebase generation, &lt;strong&gt;Cline&lt;/strong&gt;, a VS Code-integrated assistant for structured dialog with AI agents, and a proprietary &lt;strong&gt;agent orchestration layer&lt;/strong&gt;. Rather than relying on a single model, Easylab AI uses multiple LLMs depending on the task. Claude 3.7 is preferred for reasoning-heavy or planning-oriented work, while DeepSeek GPT 4.1 is used for clean, modular code generation at scale.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What makes the setup unique is the company’s use of &lt;strong&gt;role-based agents&lt;/strong&gt;. Tasks are distributed to agents with specialized responsibilities—API architects, backend builders, QA validators, and even security reviewers. These agents operate independently or in sequence, producing and refining components before a human orchestrator steps in for final validation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This isn’t about removing engineers, the team insists. It’s about &lt;strong&gt;redefining the role of a software engineer&lt;/strong&gt; as an orchestrator rather than a line-by-line coder. Engineers at Easylab AI now spend their time writing specifications, crafting structured prompts, debugging agent logic, and guiding workflows—what the company refers to as “building the builders.”&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The results are notable. Internal tools and MVPs are delivered in a fraction of the time it used to take. Codebases are more consistent. And engineers report increased engagement, as they can focus more on problem-solving than boilerplate.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The company shared a typical use case: when building a reporting module, the process starts with a natural language spec. bolt.new generates a base skeleton. A backend agent writes business logic and integrates data models. Claude 3.7 refines the API layer and produces test cases. A QA validator agent checks for edge cases. Finally, a human reviews and deploys. This entire process typically takes one to two days.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What they’ve gained:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• 10x faster delivery of internal tools and MVPs&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• Consistent, modular code structure&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• Focus shifted from syntax to architecture&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• Scalable workflows through agent reuse&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What remains challenging:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• Prompt engineering still requires expertise and iteration&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• Poorly scoped instructions lead to hallucinations or logic errors&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• Orchestrating multiple agents requires careful sequencing&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;• The company had to build internal tools to trace agent decisions&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As AI tooling continues to mature, Easylab AI sees its model as an early but scalable version of what may become standard practice across the software industry. “We’re not saying this works everywhere,” the team notes, “but we’re convinced that orchestration-first engineering is the future of software development.”&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;More on their approach can be found at &lt;a title="Easylab AI" href="https://www.easylab.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;www.easylab.ai&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>ai</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The largest account marketplace with unbeatable prices and guarantees</title>
      <dc:creator>Oleksandr Dehtiarov</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:37:20 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/alex_deg/the-largest-account-marketplace-with-unbeatable-prices-and-guarantees-1kb1</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/alex_deg/the-largest-account-marketplace-with-unbeatable-prices-and-guarantees-1kb1</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In the fast-growing world of digital goods, finding a reliable and secure marketplace for gaming and social media accounts can be a challenge. That’s where &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://lzt.market/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;https://lzt.market/&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span&gt;comes into play. As the largest platform for buying and selling accounts, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lolzteam Market&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; has earned its place as the go-to hub for users looking to purchase accounts for popular services like Steam, Fortnite, Telegram, CS2, Genshin Impact, Valorant, and many others.While there are countless platforms offering accounts, Lolzteam Market dominates the scene for several key reasons: variety, security, automation, and pricing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fi.ibb.co%2FLdVzZ7y7%2Freal-4f266735-1460-4791-8ef1-3785023964a4.jpg" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fi.ibb.co%2FLdVzZ7y7%2Freal-4f266735-1460-4791-8ef1-3785023964a4.jpg" alt="real-4f266735-1460-4791-8ef1-3785023964a4" width="640" height="366"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;Huge variety of accounts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Lolzteam Market hosts thousands of listings across a wide range of platforms. Whether you're looking for a competitive Fortnite account, a high-level Genshin Impact profile, or a rare Steam inventory, you’ll find it here. The marketplace is designed for both casual buyers who want to enhance their gaming experience and resellers looking to stock up on valuable accounts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;From CS2 skins to verified Telegram accounts, Lolzteam Market caters to a wide audience. The diversity of products makes it one of the most versatile marketplaces in the industry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;Security and buyer protection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Buying an account online can often feel risky. Will the account be as described? Is there a chance of a scam? Lolzteam Market tackles these concerns head-on by offering buyer protection guarantees on every transaction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Each account listing goes through an auto-validation system that checks the account’s credentials and activity before the purchase is completed. This system significantly reduces the chances of receiving an invalid or compromised account. In addition, Lolzteam provides escrow services, so your funds are held securely until you confirm that the purchase meets your expectations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fi.ibb.co%2FtMFHs31t%2Freal-f3ef5699-12e0-4b62-aadb-7aeb0a92feab.jpg" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fi.ibb.co%2FtMFHs31t%2Freal-f3ef5699-12e0-4b62-aadb-7aeb0a92feab.jpg" alt="real-f3ef5699-12e0-4b62-aadb-7aeb0a92feab" width="640" height="366"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;Automated validation – no surprises&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;One of the biggest frustrations buyers face is purchasing an account that turns out to be inactive or already taken. Lolzteam Market solves this issue with automated validation, which checks accounts in real-time. Before you finalize your payment, you’ll know the account has been verified and is ready to use.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This level of automation creates a smoother and more transparent experience for buyers. Instead of manually verifying each purchase post-payment, Lolzteam Market ensures everything is handled upfront, minimizing disputes and refund requests.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;The lowest prices in the market&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;It’s no secret that pricing plays a huge role when choosing where to buy accounts. Lolzteam Market boasts some of the most competitive prices in the business. Thanks to its massive user base and healthy competition between sellers, buyers can often find accounts at prices far below those of other marketplaces.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Additionally, Lolzteam Market frequently features deals, bulk discounts, and promotions, giving users even more ways to save. Whether you’re buying a single account or sourcing inventory for resale, the platform offers unbeatable value.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;Trusted by thousands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;With years of operation and a rapidly growing community, Lolzteam Market has built a solid reputation among gamers, resellers, and digital enthusiasts worldwide. Its feedback system allows buyers to rate sellers and share their experiences, fostering a transparent environment where trust is a top priority.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Lolzteam Market isn’t just another marketplace; it’s a one-stop shop for secure, validated, and affordable accounts across a variety of platforms. Whether you need a new Valorant profile, a Telegram account for business, or Steam accounts packed with games, you’ll find them here — all with guarantees and prices that are hard to beat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In a crowded market full of uncertainties, Lolzteam Market sets the standard for reliability, automation, and affordability.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>marketing</category>
      <category>community</category>
    </item>
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