Uses

A list of the things I actually use. Inspired by uses.tech.

Hardware

• Desk: UPLIFT electric standing desk.
• Camera: Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF35mm F1.8 macro lens is my totally over-the-top webcam setup.
  • Amaran PT2c LED tube light
  • Amaran P60x LED panel light
• E-Reader: Kobo Libra 2 with a SleepCover. I use Calibre to manage my library and sideload books. No Amazon ecosystem for me, thankyouverymuch.
• Eyeglasses: Warby Parker Gillian in Teal Tortoise with non-corrective lenses.
• Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 45 are my daily drivers; AirPods (3rd gen with MagSafe charging case) when I need something smaller.
• Keyboard: Keychron K3 Pro mechanical keyboard with RGB backlight and brown switches.
• Laptop: 13” Apple MacBook Air M1 (2020) is still fast enough, light enough, and quiet enough.
• Monitors: Two 27” LG 4K Ultra HD monitors mounted on a dual-monitor stand.
• Mouse: Logi Ergo M575 wireless trackball.
• Phone: Apple iPhone 16 Pro, in a Peak Design Everyday Case. I also have their car mount and bike mount, and they’ve genuinely changed how I use my phone while moving around.
• Watch: Apple Watch Series 10 with a Milanese Loop band.
• Writing Tablet: reMarkable 2 with a Book Folio cover and a Marker Plus stylus.

Software

• AI: Claude.
• Browser: Firefox.
  • automaticDark lets me have different themes depending on the time of day.
  • Dark Reader turns websites dark when they do not have dark mode (looking at you, Wikipedia!).
  • Stylus allows me to embed CSS or JS into websites I have to use but cannot control.
  • uBlock Origin keeps my web-browsing experience ad-free.
• Email: Fastmail, though I am still weaning myself off of Gmail.
• IDE: Visual Studio Code.
  • Flexoki
  • Todo Tree
  • vscode-pets
• Image Editor: Pixelmator Pro.
• Notes: Apple Notes for now; trying to get on the Obsidian bandwagon.
• Password Manager: 1Password.
• Screen Recording: Screen Studio for polished, engaging recordings when macOS native just won’t do.
• Window Management: Moom.

Mobile Apps

• Fitness: Strong for weightlifting; Strava for rides.
• Journal: Day One, though I’m actively looking for an exit since Automattic acquired it.
• Nutrition: Cronometer when I’m tracking calories and macros.
• RSS: Reeder allows me to keep up with the web without doomscrolling.
• Reading: Libby for ebooks and audiobooks from the library.
• Recipes: Mela is a clean, no-nonsense recipe app for iOS/macOS. Import from a URL, cook, done.
• To Do: Apple Reminders integrates nicely into the iOS ecosystem and our family, allowing us to share lists and reminders with each other.
• Wardrobe: Cladwell. A virtual closet—Cher from Clueless had the right idea!
• Wishlists: Giftster for non-Amazon wishlist management.

Bikes

• Folding: Brompton C-Line (2023 or 2024). For trains, for trips, for the times when a full-size bike is the wrong answer.
  • Saddle: Brooks Cambium C17 Special.
• Road: 2012 Salsa Casseroll. A steel commuter/road bike that has outlasted several life phases.
  • Bag: Po Campo Bedford Backpack Pannier. Clips onto the rack, wears as a backpack off the bike.
  • Bottle: Bivo Trio insulated water bottle. Absolutely worth it!
  • Lock: Kryptonite New York Standard U-lock.
  • Pedals: Shimano PD-A530 combo clipless/platform pedals, though I’m rarely riding clipless these days.
  • Rack: Topeak Explorer rear rack with a trunk bag. The rack held a BabySeat II a million years ago.
  • Saddle: Brooks Cambium C17 Carved.