DEV Community: Demetria Darjean The latest articles on DEV Community by Demetria Darjean (@demetria_darjean_c3f29c59). https://dev.to/demetria_darjean_c3f29c59 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3677518%2Fdb86503b-9df2-46f3-b051-7db56ce6303b.jpg DEV Community: Demetria Darjean https://dev.to/demetria_darjean_c3f29c59 en I Built a Privacy-First Currency Converter in 2 Weeks Demetria Darjean Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:08:53 +0000 https://dev.to/demetria_darjean_c3f29c59/i-built-a-privacy-first-currency-converter-in-2-weeks-1gmp https://dev.to/demetria_darjean_c3f29c59/i-built-a-privacy-first-currency-converter-in-2-weeks-1gmp <p>Last week I launched <a href="https://www.quickcurrency.net" rel="noopener noreferrer">QuickCurrency.net</a> after getting frustrated with existing currency converters that track everything.</p> <h2> The Problem 🤦‍♀️ </h2> <p>Every currency converter I tried had issues:</p> <ul> <li>❌ Forced sign-ups and email collection</li> <li>❌ Tracked user behavior with cookies</li> <li>❌ Loaded slowly with bloated scripts</li> <li>❌ Bombarded users with ads</li> <li>❌ Required registration for basic features</li> </ul> <p>As someone who travels and shops online internationally, I just wanted a simple tool that <strong>respects privacy</strong>.</p> <h2> The Solution ✅ </h2> <p>I spent 2 weeks building QuickCurrency with these priorities:</p> <p>✅ <strong>30+ world currencies</strong> (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, DOP, and more)<br><br> ✅ <strong>Real-time exchange rates</strong> updated hourly<br><br> ✅ <strong>Zero registration required</strong> - just visit and use<br><br> ✅ <strong>100% free forever</strong> - no premium tiers or paywalls<br><br> ✅ <strong>Privacy-first</strong> - no tracking, no cookies, no data collection<br><br> ✅ <strong>Lightning-fast</strong> - loads in 2-3 seconds, then instant with caching<br><br> ✅ <strong>Works offline</strong> after first visit </p> <h2> Tech Stack 💻 </h2> <p>I kept it simple:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Vanilla HTML/CSS/JS</strong> - no frameworks, no bloat</li> <li> <strong>Exchange Rate API</strong> for real-time data</li> <li> <strong>LocalStorage caching</strong> for instant repeat visits</li> <li> <strong>Responsive design</strong> - works on any device</li> </ul> <p>The entire app loads in 2-3 seconds on first visit. After that? <strong>Instant (0.1 seconds)</strong> thanks to smart caching.</p> <h2> The Launch 🚀 </h2> <p>I launched simultaneously on multiple platforms:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Product Hunt</strong> - Scheduled launch</li> <li> <strong>Hacker News</strong> - Show HN post</li> <li> <strong>Reddit</strong> - r/SideProject community</li> <li> <strong>Twitter</strong> - Announcement thread</li> </ul> <h3> Results in 24 hours: </h3> <ul> <li>📊 <strong>68 active users</strong> at peak</li> <li>👥 <strong>400+ total visitors</strong> </li> <li>🔄 <strong>253 currency conversions</strong> </li> <li>🔝 Front page of r/SideProject</li> <li>⭐ Listed on Product Hunt</li> </ul> <h2> Lessons Learned 📚 </h2> <p><strong>1. Privacy messaging resonates</strong><br><br> People are genuinely tired of being tracked. Multiple users commented specifically about appreciating the "no sign-up" approach.</p> <p><strong>2. Simplicity wins</strong><br><br> Users loved that they could just visit the site and start converting. No friction, no barriers.</p> <p><strong>3. Multiple platform launches create momentum</strong><br><br> Posting on 4 platforms simultaneously created cross-pollination. People saw it in multiple places, which built credibility.</p> <p><strong>4. Responsive engagement drives traffic</strong><br><br> I replied to every single comment within minutes. This drove more upvotes and visibility.</p> <p><strong>5. Community-driven features work</strong><br><br> A user on Facebook asked for Dominican Peso. I added it the same day. That responsiveness earned loyalty and word-of-mouth.</p> <h2> What's Next 🎯 </h2> <p>Planning to add:</p> <ul> <li>More currencies (taking requests!)</li> <li>Historical rate charts</li> <li>Currency conversion alerts</li> <li>API access for developers</li> <li>Dark mode</li> </ul> <h2> Try It 🌍 </h2> <p>🔗 <strong><a href="https://www.quickcurrency.net" rel="noopener noreferrer">QuickCurrency.net</a></strong></p> <p>It's live, it's free, and it respects your privacy.</p> <p><strong>I'd love feedback from the dev community!</strong></p> <ul> <li>What features would make this more useful?</li> <li>What other "simple tools" need privacy-focused alternatives?</li> <li>Any bugs or issues you encounter?</li> </ul> <p>Drop a comment below! 👇</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong></p> <ul> <li>⚡ 2-3 sec first load, 0.1 sec after</li> <li>🌍 30+ currencies supported</li> <li>🔒 Zero tracking or data collection</li> <li>💯 100% free forever</li> </ul> <p>Let's build tools that respect users! 🚀</p> webdev javascript showdev privacy I Built a Privacy-First Currency Converter in 2 Weeks Demetria Darjean Wed, 24 Dec 2025 23:02:13 +0000 https://dev.to/demetria_darjean_c3f29c59/i-built-a-privacy-first-currency-converter-in-2-weeks-42cm https://dev.to/demetria_darjean_c3f29c59/i-built-a-privacy-first-currency-converter-in-2-weeks-42cm <p>Last week I launched <a href="https://www.quickcurrency.net" rel="noopener noreferrer">QuickCurrency.net</a> after getting frustrated with existing currency converters.</p> <h2> The Problem 🤦‍♀️ </h2> <p>Every currency converter I tried had major issues:</p> <ul> <li>❌ Forced sign-ups and email collection</li> <li>❌ Tracked user behavior with cookies</li> <li>❌ Loaded slowly with bloated scripts</li> <li>❌ Bombarded users with ads</li> <li>❌ Required registration for basic features</li> </ul> <p>As someone who travels and shops online internationally, I just wanted a simple tool that <strong>respects my privacy</strong>.</p> <h2> The Solution ✅ </h2> <p>I spent 2 weeks building QuickCurrency with these priorities:</p> <p>✅ <strong>30+ world currencies</strong> (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, DOP, and more)<br> ✅ <strong>Real-time exchange rates</strong> updated hourly<br> ✅ <strong>Zero registration required</strong> - just visit and use<br> ✅ <strong>100% free forever</strong> - no premium tiers or paywalls<br> ✅ <strong>Privacy-first</strong> - no tracking, no cookies, no data collection<br> ✅ <strong>Lightning-fast</strong> - loads in 2-3 seconds, then instant with caching<br> ✅ <strong>Works offline</strong> after first visit</p> <h2> Tech Stack 💻 </h2> <p>I kept it simple:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Vanilla HTML/CSS/JS</strong> - no frameworks, no bloat</li> <li> <strong>Exchange Rate API</strong> for real-time data</li> <li> <strong>LocalStorage caching</strong> for instant repeat visits</li> <li> <strong>Responsive design</strong> - works on any device</li> </ul> <p>The entire app loads in 2-3 seconds on first visit. After that? <strong>Instant (0.1 seconds)</strong> thanks to smart caching.</p> <h2> The Launch 🚀 </h2> <p>I launched simultaneously on multiple platforms:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Product Hunt</strong> - Scheduled launch</li> <li> <strong>Hacker News</strong> - Posted in Show HN</li> <li> <strong>Reddit</strong> - r/SideProject community</li> <li> <strong>Twitter</strong> - Announcement thread</li> </ul> <h3> Results in 24 hours: </h3> <ul> <li>📊 <strong>68 active users</strong> at peak</li> <li>👥 <strong>400+ total visitors</strong> </li> <li>🔄 <strong>253 currency conversions</strong> </li> <li>🔝 Front page of r/SideProject</li> <li>⭐ Listed on Product Hunt</li> </ul> <h2> Lessons Learned 📚 </h2> <p><strong>1. Privacy messaging resonates</strong><br> People are genuinely tired of being tracked. Multiple users commented specifically about appreciating the "no sign-up" approach.</p> <p><strong>2. Simplicity wins</strong><br> Users loved that they could just visit the site and start converting. No friction, no barriers.</p> <p><strong>3. Multiple platform launches create momentum</strong><br> Posting on 4 platforms simultaneously created cross-pollination. People saw it in multiple places, which built credibility.</p> <p><strong>4. Responsive engagement drives traffic</strong><br> I replied to every single comment within minutes. This drove more upvotes and visibility.</p> <p><strong>5. Community-driven features work</strong><br> A user on Facebook asked for Dominican Peso. I added it the same day. That responsiveness earned loyalty and word-of-mouth.</p> <h2> What's Next 🎯 </h2> <p>Planning to add:</p> <ul> <li>More currencies (taking requests!)</li> <li>Historical rate charts</li> <li>Currency conversion alerts</li> <li>API access for developers</li> <li>Dark mode</li> </ul> <h2> Try It 🌍 </h2> <p>🔗 <strong><a href="https://www.quickcurrency.net" rel="noopener noreferrer">QuickCurrency.net</a></strong></p> <p>It's live, it's free, and it respects your privacy.</p> <p><strong>I'd love feedback from the dev community!</strong></p> <ul> <li>What features would make this more useful?</li> <li>What other "simple tools" need privacy-focused alternatives?</li> <li>Any bugs or issues you encounter?</li> </ul> <p>Drop a comment below! 👇</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong></p> <ul> <li>⚡ 2-3 sec first load, 0.1 sec after</li> <li>🌍 30+ currencies supported</li> <li>🔒 Zero tracking or data collection</li> <li>💯 100% free forever</li> </ul> <p>Let's build tools that respect users! 🚀</p> webdev javascript showdev privacy