Crypto Security and Android Development: Building an Offline Secrets Manager with Kivy

I built a secure, offline secrets manager for Android using Kivy and Buildozer, avoiding Java/Kotlin while ensuring strong encryption. Inspired by Piggydb, I designed the app to let users encrypt and export their data securely, making it portable across devices. Along the way, I tackled challenges like third-party package compatibility, encryption implementation, and database selection to create a reliable and privacy-focused solution.

Turning My SailfishOS Phone into a WiFi Hotspot with VPN Sharing

This blog post explains how I turned my SailfishOS phone into a WiFi hotspot that shares its internet and even a VPN connection with other devices. I go over how wpa_supplicant manages WiFi, how I set up a second WiFi interface, and how I built a custom DHCP server to assign IP addresses. In the end, I not only got my hotspot working but also discovered a way to route VPN traffic through it, making it even more useful for remote work and travel.

  • in python
  • 4 min read

Setting Up Buildozer for Kivy 2.3.0 with Docker: A Guide for New Users

In my free time, I explored using Kivy to create mobile applications. However, the current state of Kivy's tooling, specifically Buildozer, presents significant challenges for beginners. Buildozer relies on legacy dependencies and specific tools, which makes it incompatible with modern systems like Ubuntu 24.04 (as of December 2024). This guide aims to resolve that challenge by leveraging Docker to streamline the Buildozer setup process. We’ll use a modern Docker image containing a pre-configured version of Buildozer and walk through the steps to compile your Kivy app into an Android .apk file.

99% of the time you don't need a database. Please stop wasting your time. Learn from my pain.

Because of popular opinion in the programming ecosystem, almost all developers believe that you need to use a database offering like MySQL or MongoDB. A smaller subset of informed individuals might opt for a more simple database solution like SQLlite or UnQLite. This is a foolish belief system that i have fallen victim to myself. Let me explain why you most likely don't need a database.

Best Internet Solution for Digital Nomads

As digital nomadism has become increasingly popular over the last 5 years, the need for a travel router is more critical than ever. It can be stressful and confusing to consider network appliances (such as GL inet) and devices (random AliExpress junk) when working remotely. After traveling around the world, mostly in South America and Asia, I have identified the four most important needs for a travel router:

  1. Fast VPN Connection: 95% of travel routers have an underpowered CPU, which makes it challenging to provide a fast VPN tunnel.
  2. Hotel WiFi Authentication: The ability to interface with hotel WiFi login screens for authentication.
  3. SIM Card Support: Use a SIM card to obtain 5G / 4G LTE internet.
  4. Everything in a Single Device: You don’t look very cool in Bali, Indonesia, with multiple networking devices on the beach.

I’ve solved this problem by using a single Sony Xperia 10 III running the Linux-based Sailfish OS, which provides VPN access wherever I go. Here’s an image of my setup:

  • in python
  • 3 min read

My Favorite Developer Template For Fastapi

React has many great paradigms in place that make it a very popular and beloved way of programming modern web apps. Such things like Parent and Child Prop components (component inheritance), Hooks (and it's state), Code Maintainability, Easiness of Reading, etc all shed some light on why it is the most popular in the JavaScript Ecosystem. However, many developers have identified shortcomings and frustration with the current React Paradigm.

  • in python
  • 2 min read

Configure a fastapi application to authenticate against a domain controller

For creating internal tools in companies, as I do on a monthly basis, I am deeply in love with the fact that it is possible to hide my important applications from outside eyes unless you have a valid company login. Active Directory is the standard authentication service for most people in companies, as your employee credentials are tied to services such as Outlook and Microsoft 365. Furthermore, offloading the burden of authenticating against a domain controller actually makes your applications safer because you don't need to write your own authentication service; therefore, we minimize the chance of vulnerabilities.

Manage AWS with PowerShell Series: #01 - IAM Role Attachments to EC2 Instances Using PowerShell

In managing cloud infrastructure, especially in environments as dynamic and expansive as AWS, automation is not just a convenience but a necessity. It streamlines processes, reduces manual intervention, and enhances overall system reliability. One area where automation plays a crucial role is in managing IAM (Identity and Access Management) roles for EC2 instances.