What I Use
This is my uses page inspired by uses.tech site. Just found out that I am not a minimalistic person :)
Hardware
- Desktop: Self-build PC, Intel Core i9-12900KS / 16 GB / Ubuntu 23.10
- Laptop: Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon 7. Gen / Intel Core i5-8265U / 16 GB / 512 GB SSD / Ubuntu 23.10
- Work Laptop: 1Macbook Pro (13 inc, M2, 2022) / 16 GB / 512 GB SSD
- NAS: Intel Coffee Lake i7-8700K / 16GB / 2x 500GB Samsung EVO 8x0 SSD / 6x 4TB Seagate IronWolf HDD / 2x 3TB Toshiba DT01ACA300 HDD / TrueNAS 13.0
- Phone: OnePlus 8 Pro
- Watch: Garmin Fenix 7X Solar
Monitors
I have two old Asus 27" monitors (PB278Q and PB278QR), and I’m delighted with those, even though they are over ten years old monitors.
Keyboards
My main keyboard is Vortex Tab 90 (Nordic Layout) with Cherry MX Blue switches and Glorious GPBT keycaps. When I’m away from home, I use Keychron K7 ultra-slim 65% wireless keyboard.
Network
With Ubiquiti Unifi, I had love at first sight. All our network gear is manufactured by Ubiquiti (UDM, 24 PoE Switch (and some smaller switches), G4 Bullet, and G3 Flex cameras and G4 Door Bell).
Audio & Video
I have three different headphones. In my desktop setup, I have Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 interface, where I have attached AKG K240 headphones and Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone. With my laptop, I use Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones. On the road, I use Jabra Elite 75t headphones.
Otherwise, I use old equipment. I have an old Pioneer SA-550 stereo amplifier and passive Genelec 1049A speakers attached to my desktop computer.
Photo & Video
For the unknown reason, I like Nikon cameras. Maybe it’s just that one of my favorite color combos is black and yellow. I have Nikon D750 and D7100 DSLR cameras. Most of the time I use Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 and Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM objectives.
For the video, I use GoPro Hero 8 Black. The only problem with the GoPro is that I need to be more active in editing and publishing the videos.
For remote meetings the Logitech C920 is a good choice for a webcam, and it beats almost all integrated webcams.
Software (Computer)
LLooks like I’m sliding from the Apple world back to the Linux world. Even though I have used mainly OSX / MacOS most of the time (about 2006-2023), I will keep my software palette as much as possible cross-platform.
Browser
Sadly, there is no better than the Google ecosystem. Currently, I am happy with Google Chrome. I know that I will pay for it with my privacy. I have personal and work profiles for Google Chrome. With the work profile, I use the 1Password plugin to manage my work-related passwords and other secrets.
With my personal profile, I use the following plugins:
- Bitwarden to manage my passwords and other secrets.
- Lighthouse and Checkbot to check my website performance and SEO.
- uBlock Origin to block unnecessary ads and trackers.
- Grammarly to help me to fix my grammar.
- Statshunters and Wandrer Map Overlay to find new routes for my cycling and running trips.
Editor
I have written code from the 1980s, so I have used many different code/text editors and IDEs. The last four editors I have used are Textmate, Sublime Text, and Atom, and now I am using Visual Studio Code. Of course, what makes the best editor at the time is that there are many good extensions available. There are a couple of the most usable extensions that I use:
- EditorConfig helps to keep the code style consistent between different editors. Good, especially when working with the people who use other editors.
- GitHub Copilot gives good suggestions on how to implement functions, etc.
- GitLens helps to see Git history and other information inside the editor.
- Prettier helps to format JS code.
- PHP IntelliSense helps to write future-proof PHP code.
- Better Comments helps to read and even write comments by highlighting them.
- Rainbow CSV helps to read CSV files in the text editor.
Of course, I have installed various extensions like syntax highlighting tools for different languages and templating engines.
Terminal
With my Mac, I’m using iTerm2 as my terminal. And with the Linux, I’m using Tilix. That is a new find, and I have used it for only a couple of weeks. The default shell is, of course, Zsh with plugins provided by Oh My Zsh.
Notes
The best way to keep notes and a diary is, of course, Bullet Journal. I have trusted paper and pen as my primary note-keeping system for many years. But if I have to take more extended notes and some pictures, etc. I will keep them in Obsidian stored in my private GitHub repository.
For short-term notes, I use Google Keep. It’s an easy way to keep notes and share them with other people.
Content Management Systems
It might not be a surprise that I like to use Hugo for simple sites and WordPress for more complex sites.
Software (Mobile)
I’m not a big fan of mobile apps. If possible, I would prefer web apps, but of course, there is space for native apps, too.
Health & Sport
- Withings Health Mate - I have Withings scale, blood pressure monitor, and thermometer.
- Garmin Connect - I have a Garmin sports watch and a bike computer, so I view my sports activity with this app.
- Strava - Strava is an excellent social media for sports. And many services are integrated with Strava.
- UDisc - An excellent app for keeping disc golf score. It also keeps a list of courses that I have played.
Media
- Pocketcasts - For listening to podcasts.
- YouTube - For watching videos.
- Yle Areena - For watching videos and listening to radio and podcasts.
Social Media
- Mastodon - Maybe the best social media platform. I like openness and decentralization.
- Instagram - Nowadays, I use IG less and less. I wouldn’t say I like bad algorithms and ads.
Maps & Navigation
- Maastokartat - Finnish topographic maps.
- Nautics Sailmate Classic - For finding good ice fishing spots.
Security
- Google Authenticator - For two-factor authentication.
- Bitwarden - For managing passwords and other secrets.
Homeautomation
- Ikea Home Smart - For controlling Ikea lights.
- UniFi & UniFI Protect - For controlling network and cameras.
- Ruuvi Station - For monitoring temperature and humidity.
Messaging
- WhatsApp and Telegram - For messaging with friends and family.
- Slack - For messaging with work colleagues.
- Discord - Some good communities can be found on Discord.
Services
- Gmail - All my emails are handled by Gmail.
- Github - All my code is stored in GitHub.
- Wandrer - Keeping track routes what I have cycled.
- Stats Hunters - Tile hunting game for cycling and running.
- Wakatime - Tracking time is what I have used for coding.
- Feedly - For reading RSS feeds.
- Flyk - Aviation maps.
- Komoot - Creating routes for cycling. running, and hiking.