Tools

Here are some of the software, tools, and services I use. I have a goal of skewing towards open source and open data formats when possible, but user experience is also a consideration.

None of the links below are affiliate linked unless they are specifically called out as such.

Personal Use

As in, not software development

• Desktop OS
  • macOS: I’m a lifelong Mac user
  • Linux: in support of open source and software freedom, and in light of my increasing concerns with Apple, I’m trying to use Linux more, especially Linux Mint
  • Shell: zsh with oh-my-zsh
• Phone: iPhone
• Email: Fastmail
• Browser
  • Modern desktop: Zen
  • Lower-powered desktop, Android: Waterfox
  • iPhone: Quiche
• Social Network: Mastodon
  • Instance: OldBytes.space running Glitch Edition
  • iOS client: Ice Cubes
• Personal info management: Riverbed (developed by me)
• File syncing: Resilio Sync
• Notes: Obsidian
• Image editing: Gimp
• Video editing: kdenlive
• Podcast client: Overcast

Software Development

• Version control:
  • Migrating most projects to GitLab to avoid MS dependency/training
  • GitHub for public OSS projects
• Frontend language: JavaScript for personal projects (avoiding MS dependency)
• Full stack framework: Ruby on Rails with Turbo
• Single-page apps: React with React Router
• Static sites
  • Jekyll
  • Docusaurus
• Native iOS apps: UIKit (I’ve been warned off of SwiftUI)
• Database: Postgres
• Editor: VS Code. Although I worry about intrusive AI features and what else Microsoft might put in there, Zed has a persistent bug where new files created outside of Zed don't show up in the sidebar and can't be opened any other way.
• Hosting
  • Frontend
    • GitHub Pages
    • Vercel for this Obsidian Digital Garden site
  • Backend: Railway