Uses

(Last updated: February 2023)

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Its getting common for personal blogs to have a section outlining the various hardware and software used on a day to day basis, so here's my list.

Hardware

Macbook Pro

I've used Mac since around 2012 after the company I worked for moved everyone onto them. After a few years saving I've upgraded from a 2011 MBP and got a new Macbook Pro 14 Inch M1 Pro which absolutely flies!

Monitor

I have a Viewsonic VX3211-2K-MHD 2K WQHD 32 inch monitor. Nothing fancy, but it's a good monitor for the price.

Keyboard & Mouse

I use a Satechi Wireless Bluetooth keyboard. I like this as it allows me to pair with up to three devices. Mouse is a Logitech MX Master 2S.

Desk & Chair

I've fitted an old kitchen worktop to the wall which gives me a perfect height and depth to work from. I have a LUKRACER gaming chair which I bought when working from home during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Its comfortable enough.

Other

I have a large vinyl record collection and listen to them on a red Pro-ject Essential III turntable hooked up to an ART-PRO Phono Pre-amplifier. This is then fed into a pair of Moukey Studio Bookshelf Speakers which sound really good.



Software

I use the following tools for web development and writing (some links may be affiliate programs):

Notes and Documentation:

  • Notion - Awesome for notes, organisation, and just about anything else that involves storing information.
  • Obsidian - As well as Notion, I also use Obsidian for keeping local notes or notes related to specific projects.

Sytem Tools:

  • Raycast - immensely helpful omni-search. I used to use Alfred but found Raycast to be easier and cheaper.
  • Bartender - to manage the ever growing menu bar on the mac.
  • Cleanshot - for screen grabs

IDE / Text Editor:

  • PHPStorm - for work.
  • Vim - for most things - coding, writing, administration etc.

Development Environment:

  • Laravel Valet - for local development. Used in conjunction with Docker.
  • Docker - for MySQL and other software on mac
  • iTerm3 with ZSH / Oh My ZSH - the best terminal and shell combination there is

Productivity:

  • Todoist - I manage my life with this - projects, renewals, birthdays/anniversaries, shopping etc

Graphic Design:

  • Affinity Designer - for any vector work I need to do. I also use it for basic mock ups.
  • Affinity Photo - for image work. Usually resizing, cropping, and enhancing.

Service Clients:

  • Tableplus - for database access and management (when not using cli)
  • Cyberduck - for SFTP / AWS S3 remote access

Other:

  • Gmail - for, erm, email
  • Slack
  • Spotify

Browsers:

  • Google Chrome - as my main browser
  • Firefox / Brave / Safari / Edge - for testing and debugging
  • Internet Explorer 6 - just kidding :)