When WhatsApp changed their privacy features back in the peak of lockdown I took it personally, I took it upon myself to build an alternative for me and my friends which lead to the development of TheUnderGround, the first cli software of TheGrounds.
Over time it has developed several features. Initially it was a very basic software, with hit enter to update messages and http get based messaging, but later I hosted a python server in my raspberry pi 4 and using TCP sockets achieved real time messaging additionally, using a multithreading approach I was able to achieve a CLI curses style input so messages can be printed at the same time as input was entered.
TheUnderGround gave me a much deeper understanding of messaging, data encryption, and account management.
Part of TheGrounds
TheAboveGround too was created in response to a rumoured privacy infringement during the pandemic, it is a CLI voice chatting software, since it’s so lightweight it’s great to use to chat with friends while gaming, multi-tasking or even just for casual chatting.
It can handle up to 10 people or more concurrently in a call, limited only due to sever bandwidth, server being a Raspberry Pi 4 at home, Additionally, people can text chat during the call.
This project was great to learn about UDP sockets, implemented with python.
Part of TheGrounds
TheMusicGround as the name suggests is a CLI software to listen to music (makes use of YouTube as a source).
It takes the help of several different music-based API’s to facilitate it’s many features. The python-vlc module helps in playing the audio seamlessly.
Part of TheGrounds