Planting a Flag: My Quest to Build the Ultimate Auth & Billing Solution in Go

This is one of those posts that’s part declaration, part personal reminder, and part manifestation. I’m putting this out into the universe because I’m embarking on an ambitious journey: I plan to write the world's best authentication and billing tools, and I'm going to build them in Go.

Why Go? Because I want these tools to be blazingly fast, incredibly secure, and highly efficient, attributes that Go excels at providing.

Let's talk about the "why" behind this. In the current landscape, while there are many players, I see a persistent gap. For authentication, fantastic services like Auth0, Clerk, Kinde, and libraries like Lucia exist. For billing, we have platforms like Lago and others. They all offer valuable features, but I believe there's a need for something more.

What's missing, in my view, is a solution that is easy to use, exceptionally fast, fully self-hostable (giving you complete control over your data and infrastructure), and seamlessly integrated. That’s the core problem I want to solve.

My vision is to create a unified system where developers can:

• Effortlessly set up and integrate: Think minimal configuration and straightforward SDKs.
• Offer comprehensive authentication options: This means robust support for traditional email/password, alongside social logins via Gmail, GitHub, and other popular OAuth providers.
• Implement flexible and powerful billing: The system will handle various payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, and yes, even embrace cryptocurrency payments. Billing models will be versatile, catering to monthly subscriptions, hourly rates, usage-based charges, and more.

The ultimate goal? You, the developer, can focus entirely on building your amazing application. When it comes to figuring out how users log in or how you get paid, you simply connect to this system, and the auth and automated billing flows just work. Smoothly, reliably, and securely.

This is more than just a side project. It's a conviction that we can do auth and billing better, make it more developer-friendly, more performant, and more empowering by offering a truly self-hosted, comprehensive option.

So, consider this post my public commitment. It’s a reminder to myself of the mountain I intend to climb and a manifestation of the solution I aim to bring to life. There's a long road ahead, filled with challenges, learning, and a whole lot of Go code. But the vision is clear.

Stay tuned.

Bridging the Gap: Why a Little Sign Language Can Be a Traveler's Superpower

The other day, someone I know found themselves in a bit of a communication pickle. They were trying to talk to someone, but there was a complete language barrier and they just couldn't understand each other. They ended up calling me, hoping I could somehow bridge the gap. It got me thinking about the tools we have for these situations, and perhaps, some we often overlook.

Of course, modern technology is incredible. We have tools like Google Translate with voice support, and AI-powered apps like Gemini are getting remarkably good at live translation, even handling various accents with increasing finesse. These are fantastic resources, and I use them myself. When you have a good internet connection, they can be absolute lifesavers, turning potentially frustrating encounters into smooth interactions.

But what happens when technology isn't an option? Picture this: you're exploring a remote area, your phone has no signal, or maybe your battery has just died at the most inconvenient moment. Suddenly, those amazing translation apps are out of reach. This is where knowing even a little bit of sign language can be incredibly valuable.

I'm not suggesting everyone needs to become fluent in a specific sign language overnight. That's a significant commitment, and there are many different sign languages around the world, just like spoken languages. However, learning a few basic, universally understood (or easily adaptable) signs for common needs – "hello," "thank you," "help," "water," "food," "yes," "no," "bathroom," or even simple gestures for pointing or numbers, can make a world of difference.

Imagine being able to communicate a basic need or offer a simple courtesy without uttering a single word that's understood. It can ease tension, build a moment of connection, and in some situations, even be crucial for safety or getting assistance. It’s about having another tool in your communication toolkit, one that doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi or battery life.

While spoken language translation apps are powerful, sign language operates on a visual and gestural level, offering a different mode of connection. It’s a fundamental human way of communicating that transcends spoken word barriers in a very direct way.

So, next time you're prepping for a trip, alongside downloading offline maps and packing your charger, consider looking up a few basic signs. It might just be the skill that helps you navigate an unexpected situation or connect with someone in a way you hadn't anticipated. You might be surprised at how helpful even a rudimentary understanding can be when you're truly off the beaten path.

A Little Domain Adventure: The Tale of .ch domain (and KYC)

Just a quick update on a little administrative adventure I had over the past weekend. I was hoping to snag the domain sayem.ch for this very blog, thinking it had a nice ring to it.

It all started on Saturday, May 17th. I went through the registration process with a provider called Crazy Domains, whom I found via tld-list.com because their renewal rates seemed competitive. I got an email confirmation saying "sayem.ch - Domain Registered Successfully!" which initially felt great.

However, the plot thickened shortly after. It turns out that registering .ch domains can come with specific requirements. I soon received a notification, originating from registry@nic.ch (the official Swiss domain registry), stating that I needed to provide Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation. The notice indicated that if the required KYC was not submitted, the domain sayem.ch would be deleted within a month.

This KYC requirement wasn't something I was prepared for or wished to go through for this particular domain at this time. So, I decided the best course of action was to request a refund from Crazy Domains.

I contacted their support on the same day, May 17th. I'd seen some mixed reviews about them on Reddit, so I was a little apprehensive, but my experience was actually quite positive. They responded pretty quickly, offering to process the refund as "Member Credit" , essentially e-money tied to my account with them, with no expiry.

On Sunday, May 18th, I replied confirming I'd like the refund processed back to my original payment method if possible. They then got back to me promptly, advising that the refund had indeed been processed that way. The full refund was already back with me by the next day, May 18th!

So, while sayem.ch wasn't meant to be for now due to the unexpected KYC hurdle, I did have a smooth and efficient customer support experience with Crazy Domains when it came to the refund. It’s a good reminder that domain registration, especially for certain country-code TLDs, can have specific compliance steps.

For now, we'll continue happily at blog.sayem.eu.org! Just a small peek into the sometimes surprising behind the scenes happenings of setting up a little spot on the internet.

My eDreams Prime Saga: A Cautionary Tale of "Free Trials" and Customer Service Labyrinths

I recently had an experience with the online travel agency eDreams that I feel compelled to share. It’s a story about seemingly good deals, the allure of "prime" subscriptions, and a customer service journey that felt more like an obstacle course designed to keep you subscribed.

It all started on May 5th. I created an account on eDreams, lured by promises of cheap flight tickets. The offers looked tempting.

Fast forward to May 6th. I decided to book my flights from Dhaka to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Interestingly, the initial price I saw seemed to inflate slightly at the booking stage. However, a shiny banner advertised a much cheaper price if I opted into their "Prime" subscription. There was an option for a 2-week free trial, and thinking I could easily cancel it later through the app if I didn't find it valuable, I opted in. With the Prime trial activated, the flight price was indeed better, so I went ahead and booked. Later that same day, still riding the wave of my "Prime" benefits, I booked another flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, again securing what seemed like a good deal.

My initial satisfaction soon began to wane. When I started looking for hotels, the "Prime" deals were anything but, prices were consistently higher than what I could find elsewhere. Then, I searched for a flight from Kuala Lumpur back to Dhaka. To my surprise, eDreams was more expensive, even with my Prime trial. I found a significantly better deal on Skyscanner and booked that flight on May 8th. This was the first major red flag, the Prime benefits weren't consistently delivering.

The real adventure began on May 12th, when I decided it was time to cancel the Prime trial before I was charged. I logged into the website, but couldn't find a straightforward cancellation option in my profile. Their support FAQ suggested I could cancel via the mobile app or through the profile section on the web. However, the profile section on the web merely provided a contact number to call. No simple "click here to cancel" button in sight.

I then tried their live chat. My initial interactions were with an AI bot. I repeatedly requested to be connected to a human agent to cancel my Prime subscription, but the bot seemed determined to deflect and avoid connecting me. It was an incredibly frustrating loop.

Reluctantly, I called the provided number. After about a 3-minute wait, a female agent picked up. This call, in total, lasted a staggering 55 minutes. Instead of a quick cancellation process, the agent began what I can only describe as a sales pitch, peppered with an uncomfortable amount of what felt like flirting. She extolled the virtues of Prime, trying to convince me not to cancel.

I politely but firmly stated my intention to cancel. She then offered free flight cancellation add-ons as an incentive to stay. I declined again. After putting me on hold for a few minutes, she returned with another offer, a discounted Prime membership at $3.99 USD per month for a year, down from the standard $7.99 USD per month. Throughout this, the flirtatious tone continued. Exhausted and frankly worn down by the lengthy call and persistent upselling, I reluctantly agreed to the $3.99 per month plan just to end the conversation.

Immediately after the call, I received an email asking me to rate the agent. I gave her a 1-star rating. My gut told me I needed to persist with the cancellation. I had managed to trick the chatbot earlier by asking different questions and had found an email address: serviceclientprime-uk@contact.edreams.com. I immediately sent an email to this address, clearly stating my desire to cancel the Prime subscription I had just been pressured into keeping.

Finally, on May 13th, I received a confirmation that my Prime subscription had been cancelled.

This entire ordeal was a stark reminder of how some companies make it incredibly easy to sign up for trials and subscriptions, but create a labyrinth of obstacles when you try to opt out. The lack of a simple online cancellation option, the unhelpful AI chatbot, and the lengthy, manipulative customer service call felt designed to wear customers down. While I eventually got the cancellation I wanted, it came at the cost of considerable time and frustration.

If you're considering eDreams and their Prime subscription, especially the "free trial," be aware of the potential difficulties you might face when trying to cancel. My advice? Proceed with caution and be prepared for a battle if you decide it's not for you.

Welcome to My Corner of the Internet!

Hello and welcome to my brand new blog! I'm excited to finally have a space online to call my own, a little corner of the internet where I can share my random thoughts, stories, and the occasional idea that pops into my head.

You might be wondering, "Why start a blog now, in this age of endless social media feeds?" That's a fair question, and the answer is pretty straightforward. Lately, I've found the landscape of mainstream social media to be... well, a bit chaotic. It feels increasingly like a place where authentic expression is stifled. You often have to tiptoe around certain words or topics for fear of your "score" going down, which can lead to frustratingly low reach or even the dreaded shadowban. It can feel like you're constantly curating your thoughts for an algorithm rather than genuinely connecting with others.

That's why I created this blog. I wanted a platform where I can speak freely, explore ideas without the pressure of virality, and share my perspectives without worrying about an invisible hand censoring or limiting my reach. Here, the focus will be on genuine expression and, hopefully, some interesting conversations.

So, what can you expect to find here? A bit of everything, really! From musings on daily life and observations about the world around us, to deeper dives into subjects that pique my interest, and perhaps even a fictional story or two. Think of it as a digital journal, open for you to read and reflect upon.

I'm looking forward to filling these pages and sharing this journey with you. Feel free to look around, and I hope you'll stop by again soon!