What things do you use?

I work mostly :digitally, but sometimes use :analog solutions.

Software

Obsidian

Most of my work I do through Obsidian. I will write a few guides on my workflow and theory behind it, but if you value building understanding, I highly recommend it.

Zotero

Zotero is where I do my digital reading of PDFs and ePubs. I annotate them from within the app and use various plugins to get them into :Obsidian. Zotero is mainly a citation manager, and I use it for that as well.

Things

I use Things to manage my tasks. It works as all my daily :electronics are from apple, and I paid for this app a while ago. It is very polished and nice to use.

Music

Since my family is subscribed with a family plan, I use Spotify. I value it especially because of the ability for me to discover new music. I also download music and listen to it with Jellyfin. Stalk my listens at ListenBrainz.

MacBook Software

My web browser of choice is LibreWolf, although I do not use many of its privacy features. My browsing experience significantly improved by Sidebery, which replaces my tab organization. In fact, I have removed the horizontal tabs from display.

For my programming I use VS Code through VSCodium. My theme of choice shifts between GitHub and Gruvbox.

Raycast replaces Spotlight on my MacBook.

iPhone Software

My phone browser is Orion. Opening Safari to search for things was very slow, but Orion is quite responsive.

I am an avid listener of podcasts, and do so through Snipd. I do use its snipping features, which I upload to :Obsidian, but the interface is also really good!

Analog

I used to use :paper and :pens for most of my affairs. I still use them occasionally, but my work now is mostly digital.

Writing

I use a charcoal-colored Lamy Safari with a fine nib for most of my writing. I am not an ink connoisseur, and use a Black Document Ink.

I usually write with only one color, but occasionally I will use three TUL Gel Pens.

red, blue, and green tul gel pens resting on an index card

I’ll use a whiteboard for working problems out or mapping concepts that would require much iteration rather, working things out that would require a lot of erasing. These days, I often use Obsidian’s Canvas feature instead.

I have ultra-fine dry erase markers in black, blue, red, and green. Their writing size is great, especially for the small cards I write on. I also have fine wet-erase markers of the same colors.

Notebooks

My main notebook at the moment is a classic medium-sized Leuchtturm1917 notebook, which I highly recommend. I much prefer it to the moleskin I used to use.

the moleskine notebook, open to a blank spread of lined paper. there is ghosting from the previous page, unintelligible writing in black ink

I tend to think of my :voice recorder as a notebook as well. It is great for stream-of-consciousness, or for recording things on the go!

Electronics

I mostly use two devices: a :Macbook and an :iPhone, although I have two other laptops, one for work and one to run programs for my classes.

MacBook

I use a 2020 M1 MacbookPro.

a space-gray macbook, closed shut. the metallic apple logo has a few scratches

iPhone

I use an iPhone Xs Max.

Voice Recorder

I use a Sony IC Recorder as my primary tool for expressed thinking. I will write more about my process, but this device has catalyzed my realization of many of my real passions.

Earbuds

I use Beats Fit Pros on a daily basis, received as a very generous present.