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What Are Resident Proxies and How Do They Work: A Detailed Guide for Beginners

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time5 min
Reach and readers807

Often at work, I encounter services that provide offerings such as resident proxies. Yet, I have never delved deeply into the topic. I have always simply consumed the product “as is,” as some lazy authors like to say.

I have a general understanding of how this type of service works at a layman’s level, and I became interested in exploring the topic more deeply and attempting to share the conclusions I reached through a deeper understanding of what resident proxies are. Let’s see what comes out of it. No recommendations here—just the subjective, evaluative opinion of yet another “specialist.”

Proxy servers are intermediaries between your device and the internet, allowing you to hide your real IP address and alter the appearance of your connection. Think of it as a white camouflage coat in snowy weather, if we speak in very simplistic terms. Let’s start from that—options for camouflage. However, comparing with camouflage coats would be rather dull; instead, let’s recall animals and insects that use camouflage and try to draw a parallel. In fact, I’ve already done so.

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The Future of PostgreSQL: How a 64-bit Transaction Counter Solves Scaling Issues

Level of difficultyMedium
Reading time5 min
Reach and readers531

For many years, the PostgreSQL community was skeptical about using this database management system (DBMS) for high-transaction environments. While PostgreSQL worked well for lab tests, mid-tier web applications, and smaller backend systems, it was believed that for heavy transactional loads, you’d need an expensive DBMS designed specifically for such purposes. As a result, PostgreSQL wasn’t particularly developed in that direction, leaving a range of issues unanswered.

However, the reality has turned out differently. More and more of our clients are encountering problems that stem from this mindset. For example, in the global PostgreSQL community, it’s considered that 64 cores is the maximum size of a server where PostgreSQL can run effectively. But we’re now seeing that this is becoming a minimum typical configuration. One particular bottleneck that has emerged is the transaction counter, and this is a far more interesting issue. So, let’s dive into what the problem is, how we solved it, and what the international community thinks about it.

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Get Started with Gemini Code Assist in VS Code — Easy Tutorial

Reading time3 min
Reach and readers2.9K

Have you ever heard of Gemini Code Assist? It’s an AI-powered coding assistant from Google that helps with writing, completing, and debugging code. The best part? It’s now free for individuals, freelancers, and students!

In this article, I’ll show you how to set up and use Gemini Code Assist inside VS Code. Whether you’re new to coding or an experienced developer, this tool can save you time and make coding easier. Let’s get started!

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HTTP or SOCKS Proxy: Which One to Choose?A Dilettante’s Analysis of the Differences between HTTP(S) and SOCKS Proxies

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time10 min
Reach and readers1.2K

Proxy servers have long become an integral part of the modern network. They are used to enhance anonymity, bypass blocks, balance loads, and control traffic. However, not everyone understands that there is a fundamental difference between HTTP(S) proxies and SOCKS proxies. In this article, I will attempt to examine in detail the technical aspects of both types, review their advantages and limitations, and provide examples of configuration and usage – though this part is more of an elective (optional, if you will, but I really feel like including it).

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Equivalence Classes for QA from the Perspective of Mathematical Analysis

Level of difficultyMedium
Reading time4 min
Reach and readers423

This article explores the concept of equivalence classes from the perspective of mathematical analysis and their application in QA testing. The author explains how properly defining equivalence classes helps optimize test design, reducing the number of test cases while maintaining thorough verification.

Using the example of currency conversion from rubles to euros, the article demonstrates how to construct equivalence classes, verify their compliance with mathematical properties (reflexivity, symmetry, transitivity), and identify errors in data partitioning.

This article is useful for QA engineers, developers, and analysts who want to gain a deeper understanding of logical testing principles and improve the efficiency of their test strategies.

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The myth of error-free programming

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time3 min
Reach and readers718


There have been many discussions about which programming language is better in terms of security and correctness of source code (by "correctness and security" we mean the absence of various errors in the program that manifest themselves at the stage of its execution and lead to the issuance of an incorrect result or unexpected behavior). And some programming languages, such as SPARK or OCaml, were even specially developed to facilitate the proof of program correctness.


Is it possible to write programs without errors at all?

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What's New in Postgres Pro Enterprise 17: From Proxima to Intelligent Data Management

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time5 min
Reach and readers387

Postgres Pro Enterprise 17 introduces major improvements in performance and scalability. The key feature of this new release is the proxima extension, which combines connection pooling, proxying, and load balancing within the database core. Developers also gain improved tools for managing message queues, optimizing queries, enhancing security, and utilizing smart data storage. Want to know how these and other features can impact your applications and simplify database administration?

This article provides a brief overview of the release, accompanied by the links to more detailed information.

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HuggingChat from Hugging Face: A Free ChatGPT Alternative

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time3 min
Reach and readers779

Are you looking for a free alternative to ChatGPT? If so, you’re in the right place! In this article, I will introduce you to HuggingChat, an open-source AI chatbot from Hugging Face. Unlike other AI models like ChatGPT or Gemini, HuggingChat runs on various open-source models that you can explore, modify, and even fine-tune according to your needs. Let’s dive in!

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How to make a valuable UX Designer portfolio: 5 components to add, 5 mistakes to avoid

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time4 min
Reach and readers432

Portfolio is one of the most important things a UX designer should have - it plays a defining role during the job application process. In professional circles it is even called a designer’s “calling card”. Portfolio is not just a collection of your work - it’s your way to present yourself, your problem-solving skills and your talent. No matter whether you’re a freelance designer who posts their portfolio online to attract clients, or if you prepare a portfolio for the HR team at a job interview, you should try to make it look both serious and interesting, while not overloading it with too much information. In this article we’ve collected a list of components that a good portfolio should contain and mistakes that should be avoided when compiling it - let’s discuss them.

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PostgreSQL 18: Part 2 or CommitFest 2024-09

Level of difficultyMedium
Reading time14 min
Reach and readers485


Statistically, September CommitFests feature the fewest commits. Apparently, the version 18 CommitFest is an outlier. There are many accepted patches and many interesting new features to talk about.


If you missed the July CommitFest, get up to speed here: 2024-07.

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How to Sync Obsidian Notes Across Devices for Free Using GitHub

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time4 min
Reach and readers6K

Obsidian is one of the best note-taking apps available today. It provides a powerful, Markdown-based experience with local-first storage. However, there is one problem: the official sync feature costs around $8 per month. What if I told you there’s a way to sync your notes across multiple devices completely free? In this guide, I will walk you through a method using GitHub and Git that allows you to keep your notes in sync without spending a dime.

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Beyond the Engine: The Six Levels of Software-Driven Car Evolution

Reading time7 min
Reach and readers630

Cars are among the most technologically advanced consumer-level devices on the market. They have been shaping lifestyles, laws, supply chains, and many other aspects of human society's evolution.

But today, we’re witnessing a silent revolution – one driven not by hardware, but by software. Modern cars are no longer just machines; they’re dynamic, evolving platforms powered by code. This transformation is reshaping every aspect of the automotive industry, from design and manufacturing to ownership and recycling.

In my latest article, I explore six levels of evolution brought about by software’s growing role in vehicles and related fields:

Capabilities - Over-the-air updates and digital twins unlock new features and extend hardware lifespans.
Design - Digital platforms replace manual processes, enabling faster innovation.
Architecture - Modular systems open doors to new partnerships and revenue streams.
Engineering - Agile, feature-centric paradigms align hardware and software development.
Manufacturing - Factories become dynamic, software-driven ecosystems for flexibility and sustainability.
Lifecycle - Software extends vehicle lifecycles, from supply chains to closed-loop recycling.

This transformation isn’t just about technology – it’s about reimagining the industry itself. Do we need a revolution to achieve a better, more sustainable future, or do we already have the tools to evolve?

The automotive industry is at a crossroads. For engineers, it demands fluency in code. For industries, it requires agility. For the planet, it offers a roadmap to reconcile mobility with sustainability.

The road ahead is coded, but the destination is open-ended – shaped by collaboration, innovation, and the choices we make today.

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The Reasons Why Your Pre-sales are Broken

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time3 min
Reach and readers526

The Reason Your Presale is Broken 

I’ve been asked by the men that I work with in Russian IT companies to write down the reasons pre-cell meetings are not succeeding. 

What classically happens is that the company does very well in the:

- initial contact of the client

- Looking professional and gaining the trust of the client

- Having the client open up and discuss their pain points

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Run DeepSeek R1 Distilled Locally (Web Interface)

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time3 min
Reach and readers8.5K

DeepSeek R1 is an exciting AI model that you can run locally without relying on cloud services. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to set up and run DeepSeek R1 Distilled using Ollama and Open WebUI. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional local AI chatbot accessible via your web browser! If you are ready, then let's get started! ;-)

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Eco-Methodological Sustainability

Reading time6 min
Reach and readers620

In recent years, discussions about the environmental impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have largely revolved around hardware — data centers, electronic waste, and energy consumption. However, an equally important factor has been overlooked: the software development methodologies themselves.

When I read the UNCTAD “Digital Economy Report 2024, I was struck by the complete absence of any mention of how programming methodologies impact sustainability. There was no discussion of whether developers use algorithm-centric or code-centric methodologies when creating software, nor how these choices affect the environment.

This realization led me to introduce the concept of Eco-Methodological Sustainability — a new approach that highlights the role of structured software development methodologies in shaping an environmentally sustainable future for the digital economy.

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Image Recognition – Why AI is Still Not the Perfect Assistant in This Task, and How image captcha solver Helped

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time7 min
Reach and readers724

Up to a certain point, I sincerely believed that in today’s world manual CAPTCHA recognition was gradually becoming an anachronism, especially when it came to such simple CAPTCHAs as image-based ones—where one merely needs to read text off a photograph and input it as plain text. But as it turns out, things aren’t quite so straightforward (no matter how it may sound).

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How to Use DeepSeek-R1 LLM in Obsidian: The Ultimate Guide

Level of difficultyEasy
Reading time3 min
Reach and readers6.1K

Do you want to use a local LLM inside Obsidian, similar to ChatGPT, completely free? If yes, then this guide is for you! I'll walk you through the exact steps to install and use DeepSeek-R1 Model in Obsidian, so you can have an AI-powered second brain right inside your notes.

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Self-assessment of the quality of OKRs planning

Level of difficultyMedium
Reading time3 min
Reach and readers931

Intro:

This document is designed to assist managers and teams in crafting high-quality OKRs that maintain focus on executing the company's strategy and achieving ambitious results.

It is recommended to use these quality checklists during quarterly planning when formulating OKRs for the new period.

They will help you find potential areas of improvement and strengthen your OKRs.

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