DEV Community: SaidiAli

DollarSite, a minimalistic browser extension

SaidiAli — Sat, 30 May 2020 14:41:15 +0000

What I built

I am building a minimalist browser extension that tells a user if the site they have visited is web monetized and which content does it offer for their money. Some what you might say it’s like the coil extension but not really, this will have a few more far turns to it as I’ll be updating along the way.

Submission Category:

Creative Catalyst

Demo

demo link coming soon .. 🔜

Link to Code

https://github.com/SaidiAli/DollarSite

How I built it

I am going to use react and react materials for the UI

Additional Resources/Info

I was lagged behind by some errors I couldn’t figure out in time and I was caught up but I’ll continue working on the project even after the hackathon and I’ll update you as I go along.

Final Update ⚠️: WhatsApp Covid-19 auto-response helper bot

SaidiAli — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 19:36:48 +0000

What I built

This project is finally complete. I have successfully managed to build a WhatsApp auto response bot that gives updates on covid-19, provides news articles and also answers questions like what the symptoms are, how to prevent the disease and some helpful contacts to get help on times of need.

The project runs in the WhatsApp messenger app using the twilio WhatsApp api.
The project runs on the laravel php framework and deployed on Heroku.

I am very grateful to the twilio team for the great job of making this hackathon happen, I have enjoyed it and am proud of my work. I have learned a tonne of things and got to appreciate how wonderful twilio apis are. Hoping to continue using it even after the hackathon☺️

Here are some of the screenshots of responses.

Category Submission:

The project is categorized in Covid-19 applications as it gives aid in line with the pandemic.

Demo Link

You’ll require to have WhatsApp messenger app installed the click this link and send the pre-filled message to join my sand box.
Send a hi to get a helper menu.

Link to Code

This is the link to the github repo, all contributions are welcome.
https://github.com/SaidiAli/covid-19-autoresponse-whatsapp-bot

How I built it (what's the stack? did I run into issues or discover something new along the way?)

The project was built on laravel framework and plain html and css for the frontend. The whole project was majorly centralized on the twilio WhatsApp api as it’s the only way I could use the WhatsApp api without a verified business account.

One major issue I faced was how to get new users who joined my sandbox, there is no way am notified about it so I constantly keep checking if anyone joined and add them to the application so they get updates as well.

Additional Resources/Info

For coronavirus data - https://corona.lmao.ninja/docs/#/Default
News api - https://newsapi.org/

Update⚠️: WhatsApp Covid Auto-response bot

SaidiAli — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:07:28 +0000

What I build:

If you’ve been following with series you know what am up to. The app is now up and running, be sure to check it out here.

Here are some screen shot of the responses.

Demo Link

This is the WhatsApp link to the bot.
Send the prefilled message and you’re all set.

Link to Code

https://github.com/SaidiAli/covid-19-autoresponse-whatsapp-bot

How I built it (what's the stack? did I run into issues or discover something new along the way?)

I did run into some issues for sure, I needed a way to get all contacts from my sandbox in twilio. At first I thought there is an endpoint that twilio provides to give such info but no. So I manually do it.
I also wanted a way to be notified when someone joins my sandbox and I trigger a welcoming message but that is also not supported by twilio. If am wrong about this please help and correct me.

Additional Resources/Info

The app is deployed on Heroku.
The bot is majorly centralized to Uganda as a country but the updates and information is general.
Am open for any suggestions and feedback.
Please try it and technical criticism is welcomed.

Update⚠️: Official government communications through WhatsApp bot.

SaidiAli — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:43:29 +0000

What I built

If you haven't been following, start from here then fall back ...
Link to first post
I’ve now put some functionality to the app. You can now ask for helplines, check for how to prevent the disease and it’s symptoms. It’s quite very basic but it’s a step to something bigger.
I’ve also applied for a twitter developer account so I can integrate it in the app to fetch tweets from the twitter account of the Ministry of Health Uganda since this is where official communication is passed.

Demo Link

whatsapp link to the bot
Click on the link and send the pre-filled message to connect to the bot. Then send ‘help’ to get started and get instructions on how the bot can help you.

Link to Code

https://github.com/SaidiAli/covid-19-autoresponse-whatsapp-bot

How I built it (what's the stack? did I run into issues or discover something new along the way?)

Laravel for backend services
twilio WhatsApp api

Additional Resources/Info

I deployed the app on heroku for free ☺️.
Great platform for deploying apps.

Official Government Communications on WhatsApp.

SaidiAli — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 17:25:43 +0000

What I built

I have created a web app that uses the twilio WhatsApp api to communicate with its users on WhatsApp messenger in these tough times of the corona virus pandemic. The user can ask questions and be answered like “Where can I get tested from covid-19?”
The app also sends official communications from the government on vital information like supply of resources and condition of patients.
This solves the problem of miscommunication and wrong information to the people.

I will also integrate the twitter api so that I can pull tweets from the ministry of health which are most obviously correct information. This is also very helpful since WhatsApp does not have channels to get such first hand information.

Demo Link

🔜 Coming soon ..⛔️🚫

Link to Code

🔜 coming soon .. 🚫

How I built it (what's the stack? did I run into issues or discover something new along the way?)

I am using laravel php framework for the backend.
Twilio WhatsApp API

Additional Resources/Info

Twitter API