# Uses

938 words
ORIGINAL: https://brennan.day/uses/

Note: I prioritize open‑source software where possible and try to choose tools that respect privacy and portability.

## Development

• Editor: Sublime Text 4
• Terminal: macOS Terminal / iTerm2
• Browser: Firefox / Chrome (DevTools)
• Version Control: Git + GitHub, transitioning over to Source.tube and GitLab
• Timekeeping: Wakatime
• Static Site Generators: Eleventy (11ty) (primary), Astro, Hugo, Jekyll
  • Comments: webmention.io
  • POSSE: Bridgy (see [posse][/posse])
• AT Protocol: Cross-posting to Bluesky via Standard.site and a custom publishing pipeline built on Sequoia, with a Sharp-based image compression workflow
• Styling: Tailwind CSS and classless stylesheets like Sakura CSS and Tufte CSS
• Hosting/Deploy: Netlify (primary); also NearlyFreeSpeech and PikaPods; homelab self-hosting for Folk Zone (Cloudflare Tunnel dropped in favour of port forwarding)
• Transactional Email: Resend
• Domain Management: Namecheap, transitioning over to Porkbun.
• Email: Private Email via Namecheap, unsure of transition process

Why: simple, static-first stack that's fast, accessible, and cheap to run; fits IndieWeb values.

## Media

• Libby: Digital library app for borrowing e-books and audiobooks
• Storygraph: Book tracking and social reading platform
• Pocket Casts: Podcast listening app, see Podroll for my recommeded shows
• Kanopy: Streaming service for movies and documentaries
• Calibre: E-book management and conversion software

## Learning

• Duolingo: Language (French) and chess learning app
• Clozemaster: Language (French) learning app
• Anki: Spaced repetition flashcard system
• Lichess: Open-source Chess platform for games and puzzles

## Writing & Notes

• Daily journaling: 750words
• Knowledge base: Bear
• Longform writing: Ulysses
• Format: Markdown + YAML/TOML front matter
• CLI Publishing: writer-cli
• Publishing: Medium
• Reading: Kobo Nia eInk reader

Why: Markdown-first workflow, portable formats, plain text survives. Daily 750-word practice maintains writing discipline. Medium monetization successful.

## Design

• UI/Assets: Figma / Canva / RawPixel Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
• Image editing: GIMP, Inkscape, Krita, Pixlr

Why: fast iteration for assets; more open‑source tools when possible.

## Productivity & Ops

• Project management: Todoist
• Scheduling: Calendly
• CRM: HubSpot (free) / Capsule
• Invoicing: Wave; Payments via Stripe
• Community: Discord; Membership via Patreon
• Commitment & focus: Beeminder (17 goals fed by Apple Health, Fitbit, StoryGraph, Duolingo, Clozemaster, Lichess, Tumblr/IFTTT, Medium, Bearminder, GitHub, Todoist, WakaTime, and Bluesky), RescueTime
• Analytics: Privacy‑focused first: Plausible, Umami, NeatStats; optionally Netlify Analytics

Why: lean tools with generous free tiers and client-collab friendly workflows.

## Hardware

• Main Computer: Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

  • 16GB RAM; 256GB SSD; Touch ID
  • Sky Blue; French Keyboard
  • MacOS Sequioa 15.7.1

• Keyboard: Keychron C3 Pro QMK/VIA (TKL)

  • 87‑key programmable; red LED backlit

• Keycaps: Happy Balls PBT Keycaps

  • Side/front print; OEM profile; Gray/White combo

• iPad: Apple iPad (A16) 128 GB

  • Accessories:
    • ESR Keyboard Case--floating stand, backlit keys, trackpad
    • ESR Paper‑Feel Magnetic Screen Protector--good for drawing; anti‑glare
    • Metapen A8 Pencil

• Phone: Apple iPhone 14

  • Midnight black; 128GB storage

• Monitor: HP P224 21.5" Full HD LED LCD

  • 1920×1080; HDMI/DisplayPort; Black

• Desktop: ACER Nitro 50 N50‑640‑ER11

  • Debian distro BunsenLabs; Intel Core i5‑12400F (6‑core, 2.5 GHz)
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB; 12GB DDR4
  • Storage: 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD

### ThinkPads

• Lenovo ThinkPad X270

  • OS: BunsenLabs
  • Display: 12.5" 1920×1080 IPS
  • CPU: Intel Core i5‑7200U (2.5-3.1 GHz)
  • GPU: Intel HD 620
  • Memory: 8 GB DDR4‑2400
  • Storage: Toshiba NVMe 512 GB
  • Weight: 1.37 kg

• Lenovo ThinkPad W520 (Donated)

  • OS: Lubuntu
  • CPU: Intel Core i7‑2860QM
  • GPU: NVIDIA Quadro 1000M (2 GB)
  • Memory: 8 GB DDR3
  • Storage: 500 GB (7200 rpm)

• Lenovo ThinkPad X200t

  • Use: WriterDeck: writerDeck.org
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600 (2.1 GHz)
  • GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD
  • Memory: 4 GB DDR3‑1066
  • Display: 12.1" 1280×800
  • Storage: 320 GB (7200 rpm)
  • Notes: classic ports and digitizer pen
  • Terminal-only distraction-free stack: file browsing with ranger, reading/writing in glow/mdcat/Micro/WordGrinder, email with NeoMutt/Alpine, IRC with WeeChat/Irssi, feeds with Newsboat, tmux + fish + Starship for the shell

### For Gaming: Retroid Pocket 2S

• Released: Aug 2023: OS: Android 11: Screen: 3.5" 640×480 IPS (4:3)
• Performance: Best for Saturn, Dreamcast. Compare · Puinguin Main
• Specs: UNISOC Tiger T610; 8‑core CPU (A75); Mali‑G52 MP2; 3 GB LPDDR4X; 32 GB storage; 4000 mAh; Wi‑Fi 5; BT 5.0

### eReader: Kobo Nia

Small and light; excellent public library integration; no audiobooks or subscription reading services.

### Stationery

• Field Notes
  • Expedition
  • Pitch Black
  • National Parks: Yellowstone
• Blackwing Pencils
  • 602 (firm)
  • Pearl (balanced)
  • Matte (soft)
• Midori Traveller's Notebook
  • Passport size; Dark Brown
• LEUCHTTURM1917
  • Black Grid
• Bleswin Leather Hardcover Planner
  • Sticker tabs; weekly goals; habit tracker
• Campus Notebook
  • Kokuyo Campus; lined; A5
• Zebra Pens
  • Sarasa Clip 0.5: black, blue‑black
  • Mildliner highlighters
• Sakura Pigma Micron
  • Size 03
• Pilot Drawing Pen
  • Size 02
• Stabilo Highlighters
  • Pastel set

### Wearables

• Apple Watch Series 4
  • GPS + Cellular; 44mm case; Midnight Black Aluminum
  • Band: Magnetic Apple Band (Midnight Black)
• Fitbit Inspire 3
  • Activity tracking; heart rate monitoring; sleep tracking
  • Water resistant; 7-day battery

This page is inspired by uses.tech