Uses
Last Updated: December 14, 2024
A listing of hardware, software, and other tools I use in my work and creative endeavors on a day-to-day basis. See other people’s uses
Hardware
- MacBook Pro 2021, 16 inch, Apple M1 chip, 16GB memory, 500 GB SSD – named “Surfboard Deux”
- Dell U2415 monitor
- Apple keyboard (2009)
- Magic Mouse (battery-powered)
- Airpods (gift for LGND)
- Samsung Galaxy A23 refurbished phone, 64GB, black
- FNTCASE for Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Case (Navy Blue)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A running Android 11
On my desk
- Mainstays LED Architect’s Lamp (Black)
- KU Jayhawk YouTheFan NCAA Logo Series Desk Pad
- Yeti Rambler 20 ounce Tumbler with MagSlider lid – special order with LGND logo
Writing/sketchnotes
- Black and Red Notebook, Spiral, 8-1/4″ x 5-3/8″
- Zebra F-301 Black Ballpoint Pen, Fine Point
- Strathmore 500 Series Visual Mixed Media Journal, 5.5″x8″ Vellum, Wire Bound for sketchnoting
- Pentel EnerGel Deluxe RTX Retractable Liquid Gel Pen, 0.7mm, Black Ink
- Amazon Basics Classic Notebook, Line Ruled, 240 Pages, Black, Hardcover, 5 x 8.25-Inch for journaling
Software
- Email Server: Google
- Notes: Obsidian – I switched over from Evernote in October 2024. I have not been happy with how Evernote has evolved and I did not feel like I was getting the value for what I was paying for. I had been an Evernote user since 2009. It was very easy to import all my notes into Obsidian.
- Calendar: Google Calendar
- Time tracking: Toggl Track
- Code editor: VS Code
- Browser: Firefox (desktop), Chrome (mobile)
- CMS: WordPress, Craft CMS – I reacquainted myself with Craft in November 2024.
- Git: GitHub Desktop
- Access Design Mockups: Figma
- Code Snippets Library: SnippetsLab
- Photo editor: Affinity Photo
- Chat: Slack and Discord
- Meetings/Video calls: Zoom and Huddles in Slack
- Password management: Bitwarden
- Music: Spotify
- Local Web development: Local, DDEV
- Inspiration library: Eagle
- FTP Client: Transmit
- SVG creation/editor: Affinity Designer
- RSS: feedly
- Read it later: Pocket
- Bookmarks: Raindrop (October 2024)
- Image optimization: Squoosh
- SVG optimization: SVGOMG
- Social: Bluesky (November 2024), Mastodon, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
- Track book reading: Goodreads
- Contacts: Google Contacts
- Word processing: Google Docs
- Screenshots and Videos: CleanShot X
- Accessibility testing: Lighthouse and axe DevTools browser extension
- Backup: Time Machine and SmartBackup. I finally started using Time Machine this year. I am not sure why it took me so long to get on board. It would have been incredibly helpful two years ago when my computer crashed. It would have made life much easier to be able to restore from Time Machine on my new computer.
Tablet software
- Kindle – I read my ebooks on this app almost every day.
- feedly
- Hoopla
- Goodreads
- Spotify
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Movies Everywhere
- Amazon Music
- Amazon Shopping
- YouTube
- Bluesky
- Mastodon
- ReadEra
The AthleticSlack- Readwise
Phone software
- Bluesky
- Mastodon
- Strava
Slack- Bitwarden
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Maps
- Photos (Google)
- Spotify
- Authenticator
- Every Dollar
- Venmo
- Local Weather app
- Goodreads
Vehicles
- 2006 Toyota Sienna
- 2001 Toyota Camry (son uses at school)
- 2007 GMC Envoy (my mother-in-law’s vehicle, use as backup)