This is a “uses” page, which lists the gear and software I use daily. This is all based on the trend originating with uses.tech where you can see what all us nerds are using.

Hardware

  • NixOS mini pc lab
  • Debian home server
  • Mint work desktop
  • macOS work Laptop
  • macOS desktop for music
  • Raspberry Pi for Pi-Hole
  • A small army of Raspberry Pi for PlexAmp headless home audio
  • Media PC w/ pci-e nics for PfSense

Making & Shipping Software

I am a very terminal based person, and like to have a portable configurations I use across many types of systems. You can check out my dotfiles here

  • Firefox: I prefer to not use chrome based browsers
  • Homebrew/Linuxbrew: No matter what Linux or macOS I use, I have access to all the latest cli tools. Homebrew has changed how I install most things.
  • WezTerm: I wanted a powerful and fast terminal I can use on all OS. It’s lua config is also great for having some dynamic changes between linux and macOS.
  • Zsh: I keep trying to switch to fish but it’s lack of shell expansions keeps driving me back.
  • NeoVim w/ LazyVim: No matter how often I try to break into using VSCode I keep coming back to my fully terminal based setup. Check out my configs here
  • tmux: All keyboard navigation
  • Yazi: how I navigate and manage files.

Languages & Tools

  • Golang: It’s not without it’s flaws but multi-threading is lightweight, it is mostly strongly typed, and compiles down to a single binary that is easy to deploy
  • Rust: A whole different set of tradeoffs but I love the typing in it, the lack of nil, and serde is so fun.
  • Bash & ZSH: I write shell scripts constantly. If I type it, it can be scripted.
  • Just: I replaced all my makefiles with justfiles
  • PostgreSQL: From work to Play and everything in between, my favorite DB engine. I can’t go back to MySQL.
  • Python: I wrote this for so many years it still pops up when I need to prototype something.
  • Ansible: How I manage owning so many computers without manually configuring/
  • Chef-Infra & Ruby: I mostly only write this for work now.

Productivity & Notes

I still like to process my thoughts through writing. I have a discbound notebook customized with printable trackers and daily task & note pages. I also manage all of my projects and tasks with “basic” GTD-style lists over a heavyweight software system.

  • Discagenda Discbound discs (24mm daily notebook, 33mm archive): After trying out so many different discs the metal Discagenda ones are the smoothest page turn, look great, and are not too heavy.
  • Lined Letter 120gsm paper: I know dot grid is in vogue but I still like lined sheets in a heavy paper for my daily tasks and notes.
  • Frienda Rolling Ball Pen 0.5mm: These Japanese pens are super quick drying and have thicker & darker lines when writing quickly than my second favorite pen, the Sakura Micron PN. They do have a smidge of bleed though.
  • Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm: I never know if the rotating lead is much more than a gimmick but I really adore the feel of their lead more than far more expensive drafting pencils I have tried.
  • Zebra Mildliners: Awesome Highlighters with little smear. I use these to make a quick bit of a “daily spread”
  • Post-it 100% Recycled Super Sticky Lined Notes: These are the best sticky notes I can find and can be reused and moved daily for weeks.
  • MyLifePlans Templates: Elegant and useful printable templates for trackers and goal setting
  • Obsidian: For notes I want to save for later, archives, logs, and reference materials I love this markdown based note taking with a git based plugin for private sync!
  • PomoFocus: A very basic pomodoro timer that has auto-progression, ticking, and very long and loud alerts. I don’t use the tasks, just the timer.

Making Music

  • Ableton Live
  • N-I Komplete
  • Polyend Tracker+
  • Roland SP-404Mk2
  • Touche
  • Artura MicroFreak
  • Eventide Blackhole
  • A big pile of cheap Amazon pedals
  • SOMA Rumble of Ancient Times
  • iZotope Mix & Master

Self Host Stack

I like to run most of my own software on my self host server in a big Docker Compose stack

  • Plex: Being able to archive all my media and stream it from my own server was life changing, especially for my 400GB music collection. PlexAmp is 😻
  • Bliss: Managing my music through a web interface since Plex doesn’t edit
  • Komga: Hosting all of my Itch.io and Patreon books
  • Grocy: Home maintenance & chore tracking
  • FreshRSS: I never gave up on RSS, this is a recent transition from NewsBlur.
  • Readeck: Really nice read it later article storage
  • NextCloud: Hosting most my records and documents
  • Syncthing: Syncronizing some misc files and settings
  • Wireguard: Always a way back home

Quality of Life

Some things just make my life that much more fun

  • Kindle Paperwhite Signature: I miss the Oasis but the new Paperwhite Signature is so blazing fast. I read a lot, like ~100 books a year, so having a fast light e-reader and access to so many books is a solid tradeoff.
  • Aiko Edition Yoyogi Messenger: Chrome Industries made a huge purse. The Aiko edition spray paint and bunny theme makes me smile every time I look at it.
  • Steelcase Gesture Office Chair: When work and play is both computer based, having a comfortable adjustable and ergonomic chair is a must for our health.
  • Shure SE215 Pro Wired Earbuds: I went back to wired and have been so happy for it.
  • Bandcamp: I don’t run Bandcamp or anything, but I buy the majority of my music through it, and it’s just a delightful experience for fans of music.

Beverages

I often joke about how boring I am when it comes to beverages as I only care to drink water, coffee, & tea; but I put a lot of effort into what I drink.

  • RTIC 20oz Ceramic Lined Tumbler: This large “starbucks style” straw tumbler helps me get down a lot of water.
  • St Anthony’s Industries Cup: A special ceramic cup designed to keep my coffee & tea hot for a long time without imparting taste
  • V60 02 Brewer: I have a classic clear glass and Stardust purple from the Night Sky Series
  • Blue Bottle Flat Bottom Brewer: It works better than I expected when used with their filters
  • Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle: Love it or hate it, it’s the staple now
  • 1Zpresso K-Max: An very high end burr and grind range without paying a fortune
  • Acaia Pearl Scale: Honestly, I would buy a timemore if I had to replace this
  • Locally Roasted Coffee: We have a lot of local roasters here!
  • white2tea: I am looking for a new way to get quality loose leaf tea without ordering directly from China due to changes in shipping. I will miss their “Natural Redhead” series.