Automation (Bot creation)

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK

This project combines the power of Python and Selenium to automate monotonous and repetitive interactions on the internet. This is a fun and practical automation project that can be useful in automating repetitive tasks while you focus on other tasks. For this particular interaction with X, Selenium is used to interact with both Speedtest.net and X, automating the entire process of running the test and sending out the tweet to the internet provider should the internet speed from Speedtest not reflect the promised service provider speed. 

AI powered bots can run tasks more efficiently and autonomously, this reduces prolonged computer usage and electricity consumption. The automated process also reduces redundacy and minimizes data processing which then optimizes server usage. This cuts down on energy waste. For journalism, these AI bots can be used to schedule and release news articles, engage in advertisement, and reduce the need for manual marketing campaigns. It also creates increased efficiency in data management as it can better analyze large datasets and identify trends that can be missed by humans.

Twitter bot (Automation)

Key Features

• Internet Speed Test: The bot runs a speed test to measure the download and upload speeds using Speedtest.net.

• Automated Tweet: Once the speed test is complete, the bot logs into X and posts a tweet with the speed results. This can be used to alert your internet provider about slow speeds.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Setting Up the Environment

I used Python’s Selenium package to automate the browser interactions. The bot logs into X using stored credentials (from environment variables) and posts the results of the speed test. You’ll need to set up environment variables to securely store your Twitter email, password, and other sensitive data.

Running the Speed Test

Selenium is used to navigate to Speedtest.net, accept any cookies or terms, and start the speed test. Once completed, Selenium extracts the download and upload speeds, which are then formatted into a message for the tweet.

Automating the Tweet

The bot logs into X using Selenium and posts the message about your internet speed. It uses XPath to interact with login fields and tweet buttons, ensuring the process is smooth and automatic.

Python Skills Utilized

• Web Scraping and Automation: Selenium is used for both web scraping (getting speed test data) and browser automation (tweeting).

• Handling Environment Variables: Sensitive information like your Twitter credentials and API keys are stored in environment variables using the dotenv package to prevent accidental exposure.

Real-World Use Cases

• Automating speed tests to ensure your internet provider delivers the promised speeds.

• Posting automatic alerts on X when your speeds drop below a certain threshold.

• Creating a log of your internet speeds over time for comparison.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how Python can be used for automating routine tasks, like checking your internet speed and posting updates on X. It’s a useful tool for anyone who wants to monitor their internet connection without manually running tests and reporting issues.

If you want to check out the full code and learn more, the GitHub Repository can be found here.

This is a video demo of how the bot works.

Stay tuned for more Python projects coming soon!
 

SKILLSET REQUIRED

1. Technical skills

- Python programming and the use of Selenium

- Browser automation

- Web scraping

- Environment management

- XPath and HTML DOM manipulation

- API understanding

2. Writing and communication skills

- Clarity and structure

- Technical writing

- Engaging tone

- Call-to-action

3. Analytical and problem solving skills

- Project overview

- Use case identification

4. Research skills

- Tool familiarity

- Exploring alternatives

5. Content marketing skills

- Github repository management

- SEO awareness

- Multimedial integration

6. Storytelling and contextual skills

- Relating technology to real life problems

- Personal connection

7. Design and formatting skills

- Content layout

- Aesthetic appeal

8. Teaching and demonstration skills

- Step-by-step explanation

- Highlighting features

9. Multimedia skills

- Video production

- Responsive media integration

10. Ethical and Security awareness

- Credential management

- Data usage