There was a discussion about what software and hardware people use and people have made “/uses” pages for that purpose. And inspired by Wes Bos /uses from “Syntax” Podcast here’s my /uses page.
Editor + Terminal
- Visual Studio Code for (Web) development (JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js) with Dark+ (default dark) theme and default font (yep, boring)
- IntelliJ IDEA for JVM related development like Java and Kotlin
- TextMate for random notes
- iTem2 for terminal with bash shell
- Config files comes from my .dotfiles repo
- I init my MacBook with osx-dev-playbook Ansible script
Desktop apps
- Raycast for launching apps and clipboard history.
Alfred (with Powerpack) for just the clipboard history part (previously used CutBox). PasteBot would be also a good choice. - Backup with 2 external HDDs, iCloud, Dropbox and Drive for most files, and BackBlaze for my entire hard drive. Considering Arq.
- Main browser is Firefox, Chrome as second
- Password manager is 1Password
- FTP client is Cyberduck
Evernote (Premium) for notes- Obsidian for notes with iCloud storage
- GIMP for occasional image and photo editing
- iMazing HEIC Converter for converting HEIC image to jpeg
- LibreOffice and Microsoft Office tools
- NameChanger for renaming batch of files
- Open in Code shortcut for Finder to open in VS Code
- Rectangle for managing window locations in MacOS
- Slack for communications
- SoundSource for managing volume on Dell monitor from Magic Keyboard
- Kap for recording the screen
- TweetBot for tweeting
Software development specific tools
- Fork for Git GUI, also you could try Tower and GitKraken
- DBeaver for viewing PostgreSQL databases
- Postman for API endpoint testing and development (or Insomnia)
- Draw.io for diagrams
- Robo 3T for MongoDB
Toggl for time keeping- Docker for containerized builds and apps
- Dev Cleaner to clear everything from Xcode
- Boop for encoding and decoding text stuff
Communications
- My webcam for video conferences is Logitech StreamCam as it has USB-C connectivity
- Often though I use just the Macbook Pro 16″ Web Camera.
- Using the mic from the StreamCam or Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones
Development services
Desk setup
- My monitor is Dell UltraSharp 38 U3818DW with 3840 x 1600 at 60 Hz on AmazonBasic Desk Mount
I currently use a 2019 13″ MacBook Pro 2,8 GHz Quad-Core i7 with 16GB memory (and it’s not quite enough sometimes)retired 06/2022I currently use a 2021 16″ MacBook Pro 2,6 GHz 6-Core i7 with 32GB memory- I currently use a 2023 14″ MacBook Pro, M3 Max, 16 CPU, 40 GPU, 48 GB memory and 1 Tt SSD.
- MacBook is powered by the Dell monitor by USB-C cable which also distributes the picture (one cable rule)
- MacBook sits on a Griffin Elevator stand but will be moved to a laptop arm
Between MacBook and Dell is Raspberry Pi 3 running Pi-HoleI filter ads and other trash with Raspberry Pi 4 running Home Assistant with AdGuard Home- My home automation and other stuff is run on Lenovo ThinkCentre m702q running Proxmox with containers for Home Assistant and Pi-Hole
- For optical disks there’s Asus ZenDrive SDRW-08U9M external DVD+/-RW drive
- Sounds are provided by Genelec G One active speakers and managed by iFi nano iDSD Black Label
- I sit on Salli SwingFit saddle stool
- Light is by Eyocean LED Desk Lamp
- My desk is an used Isku classic electric table
- The keyboard is Apple Magic Keyboard and mouse is Apple Magic TrackPad 2
- Off the picture there’s a custom built mini-ITX HTPC (Finnish writeup)
- I use Fujitsu LIFEBOOK U904 for occasionally Windows related development and testing
Other gear
- For occasionally commuting to the Metropolitan area I use the Boundary Errant pack
- I listen Podcast with Apple AirPods or Apple Airpods Pro (2nd gen) when on the go.