Yes, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram can be used for OTP (One-Time Password) authentication, though their implementation and capabilities differ significantly. Below is a detailed breakdown:

1. WhatsApp OTP for Authentication

WhatsApp is widely adopted for OTP delivery due to its end-to-end encryption, global reach, and user-friendly interface. Here’s how it works:

• Security: WhatsApp OTPs are encrypted, making them more secure than traditional SMS or email OTPs, which are vulnerable to phishing or interception .
• Delivery: Businesses use the WhatsApp Business API to send OTPs via pre-approved message templates. Users receive the code directly in their WhatsApp app, often with auto-fill functionality .
• Use Cases:
  • Account registration and login verification .
  • Password resets and transaction confirmations .
  • Appointment confirmations and secure document access .
• Advantages:
  • Higher engagement and read rates compared to SMS .
  • Cost-effective for businesses, especially in regions with high SMS costs …

To stream your MP4 video file to Owncast using FFmpeg, follow these steps:

1. Locate Your Owncast RTMP Credentials

• In your Owncast admin dashboard (http://your-server:8080/admin), go to Configuration → Stream Keys.
• Copy the Stream URL (e.g., rtmp://your-server/live) and Stream Key (e.g., abc123-secret-key).

2. Basic FFmpeg Command

fffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -i video.mp4 \
       -map 0:v -map 0:a \
       -c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 2500k -maxrate 2500k -bufsize 5000k -g 60 -pix_fmt yuv420p \
       -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 \
       -f flv 'rtmp://localhost:1935/live/key'

Explanation of Flags:

• -re: Read input at native frame rate (avoids streaming too fast).
• -stream_loop -1: Loop the video infinitely (remove this to stream once).
• -c:v libx264: Use H.264 video codec.
• -preset veryfast: Balances speed and compression efficiency.
• -b:v 2500k: Video bitrate (adjust based on …

Here's a bash script that automates the deployment process based on your guide. This script will handle user input, install dependencies, configure services, and set up your Django project with PostgreSQL, Gunicorn, and Nginx:

 #!/bin/bash

# Ensure script is run as root
if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
    echo "This script must be run as root. Use sudo." 1>&2
    exit 1
fi

# User Input
read -p "Enter project name (e.g., myproject): " PROJECT_NAME
read -p "Enter GitHub repository URL: " GITHUB_URL
read -p "Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com): " DOMAIN
read -p "Enter server IP address: " SERVER_IP
read -p "Enter PostgreSQL database name: " DB_NAME
read -p "Enter PostgreSQL username: " DB_USER
read -sp "Enter PostgreSQL password: " DB_PASS
echo
read -sp "Enter Django secret key (leave empty to generate): " SECRET_KEY
echo
if [ -z "$SECRET_KEY" ]; then
    SECRET_KEY= …

Introduction
In an era where data privacy and control are paramount, self-hosted media platforms empower users to manage their content without relying on third-party services. Whether you’re a developer, a small business, or a content creator, hosting your own media ensures full ownership, customization, and scalability. This guide explores the top free, open-source solutions to transform your server into a powerful media hub for videos, images, audio, and live streams.

Why Choose Self-Hosted Media Hosting?

1. Privacy & Control: Keep sensitive content off public platforms.
2. Cost Savings: Avoid subscription fees and paywall restrictions.
3. Customization: Tailor the platform to your brand or workflow.
4. Unlimited Storage: Scale based on your server’s capacity.

Top Free & Open-Source Media Hosting Platforms

1. MediaCMS: The All-in-One Media Powerhouse

Overview: Built with Django and React, MediaCMS is a modern, feature-rich platform for hosting videos, audio, images, and documents. Think of it as …

Below is a step‐by‐step guide to install Owncast on Ubuntu 24.04. You can choose either the manual installation method (using the official installer script) or the Snap package method. Both methods are effective; pick the one that best suits your needs.

Prerequisites

1. Update Your System:
   Open a terminal and run:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
   

2. Install Required Tools:
   Ensure you have curl installed:

   sudo apt install curl -y
   

3. Optional – Firewall Setup:
   If you use UFW, you’ll need to allow ports:

   sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp   # For the web interface
   sudo ufw allow 1935/tcp   # For RTMP streaming
   

Method 1: Manual Installation Using the Official Installer

1. Download and Run the Installer Script:
   This script downloads the latest Owncast release (including FFmpeg if needed) and sets up a new owncast directory.

   curl -s https://owncast.online/install.sh | bash
   

   This command will:

   • Create an owncast folder.
   • Download the …

Manipulating images is a crucial skill, especially for those who work extensively with graphics, web design, or digital art. While there are numerous tools and software available for image manipulation, Linux users often find the command line to be a powerful and efficient way to handle these tasks. Let's dive into some essential image manipulation commands in Linux.

1. ImageMagick

ImageMagick is one of the most popular and versatile command-line tools for image manipulation. It supports a wide range of image formats and offers various commands for different tasks.

Installation

sudo apt-get install imagemagick

Basic Commands

• Convert: Convert images between different formats.

convert input.jpg output.png

• Resize: Resize an image.

convert input.jpg -resize 800x600 output.jpg

• Crop: Crop an image to specified dimensions.

convert input.jpg -crop 800x600+0+0 output.jpg

• Rotate: Rotate an image by a specified angle.

convert input …

The rise of no-code development platforms feels like history repeating itself. Everywhere I look, I see tools promising to democratize software creation with drag-and-drop interfaces, instant previews, and claims of “building apps without writing a single line of code.” While these platforms empower non-developers to prototype ideas quickly, they also stir a familiar unease in me—one rooted in my own journey as a programmer in the late 1990s.

The Allure of Visual Basic 6: A False Sense of Mastery

When I first started learning to code, Visual Basic 6 (VB6) was my gateway. It felt like magic. I’d drag buttons, text boxes, and menus onto a blank form, wire them together with snippets of code, and—voilà—I had a working application. The immediacy of results was intoxicating. For a moment, I believed I’d unlocked the secrets of software development.

But that confidence was short-lived. While VB6 made it easy to build …