A list of things I use, inspired by /uses, along with a list of my app defaults, inspired by Hemispheric Views 097 — The Duel of the Defaults.

Computer

My daily driver.

Desk setup

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6-Core Processor
  • CPU Cooler: be Quiet! Dark Rock TF v1
  • Motherboard: MAG B550M MORTAR (MS-7C94)
  • Memory: G.Skill Aegis F4-3200C16D 48GB DDR4
  • PSU: Corsair HX850W (2009)
  • GPU: ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition 8GB GDDR6
  • Monitor: LG 34WR50QC-B 100Hz, 34 inch 21:9 widescreen
  • Case: NZXT H510 Flow
  • Wi-Fi Adapter: TP-Link Archer TXE75E (Intel WiFi 6E AX210 160MHz)
  • Keyboard: GK64 RGB Mechanical (Tweakers version)

Tweakers Keyboard

  • Mouse: Logitech G305
  • SSD: Samsung 980 1TB
  • HDD: Hitachi 2TB (Hitachi HDS5C3020ALA632)
  • HDD: WD VelociRaptor 300GB 10K RPM (WDC WD3000HLFS-01G6U0)
  • Webcam: Razer Kiyo Pro
  • Microphone: Razer Seiren Mini
  • Soundcard: Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 (oldie)
  • Speakers: Edifier R1280T
  • OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 23H2
  • Desk Charger: UGREEN Nexode 65W GaN USB-C
  • Security Key: YubiKey & Key-ID FIDO2

I am still using pieces of old hardware from my previous computers, as you may have noticed. There is no reason to replace them as long as they are still in great working conditions and meet my demands.

Home Network

  • Homelab: Raspberry Pi 5 8GB (headless)
  • Remote Access: Tailscale
  • Internet Connection: Odido 1Gbps/1Gbps Fibre
  • Mesh Wi-Fi Routers: Asus RT-AX86S, Asus ZenWiFi XD6S (with 1Gbps Ethernet backhaul)

These two routers cover the entire house (2-under-1 roof) from the ground floor to the attic and the backyard.

The Asus RT-AX86S Wi-Fi router is about 3.5 meters away from my computer, and I’m getting superfast connections, while connected to a VPN. The speed of Wi-Fi varies from 600 to 800 Mbps per second when connected to an VPN.

Mullvad VPN Speed

The following is a speedtest from a Raspberry Pi 5 (Ethernet).

Raspberry PI 5 Speed

EDC: Every Day Carry

Essential items that I bring with me.

  • Bag: Modern Dayfarer Sling
  • Camera: Sony RX100 III
  • Phone: Google Pixel 6a 128GB
  • Wallet: Alpaka UP Cardholder v2
  • Keyholder: Orbitkey Clip v2
  • Earphones: Nothing Ear 2
  • Earplugs: Loop Earplugs Switch
  • Powerbank: Anker 533 PowerCore 30W 10K mAh
  • Charging Cable: Rolling Square inCharge X
  • Watch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Occasionally, I also carry the Insta360 X3 camera, which is a 360-degree action-camera.

App Defaults

I added additional things to the list because I felt inspired.

  • Mail Client: Proton Mail
  • Mail Server: Proton Mail (with custom domains)
  • Mail Aliasing Services: SimpleLogin
  • Notes: Obsidian
  • Android Photo Shooting: Google Pixel Camera
  • Photo Management: Ente
  • Photo Editing: Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop
  • Calendar: Proton Calendar
  • Cloud File Storage: Proton Drive, Filen (always smart to have multiple backups)
  • Cloud Photo Storage: Ente
  • Contacts: Google Contacts
  • Browser: Librewolf (PC), Firefox Mobile (mobile)
    • LanguageTool (Grammar Checker & Paraphraser)
    • Proton Pass (Password Manager)
    • StreetPass for Mastodon (Find people on Mastodon)
    • uBlock Origin
  • Bookmarks: Firefox Sync
  • Search Engine: Kagi (Professional)
  • Real Time Communication: Signal, WhatsApp (because people don’t get privacy)
  • Word Processing: Microsoft Word
  • Word Checker: LanguageTool
  • Spreadsheets: Google Sheets
  • Music & Podcasts: Google Podcasts, Spotify
  • Password Management: Proton Pass (BitWarden as backup)
  • Terminal: PowerShell 7
  • VPN Service: Tailscale with Mullvad exit node.
  • DNS Resolver: AdGuard DNS
  • Encryption Software: Cryptomator, BitLocker (Windows)
  • BitTorrent: Tixati
  • Screenshots: Flameshot
  • YouTube: FreeTube (PC), LibreTube (mobile)
  • Broadcasting: NVIDIA Broadcast