Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.

I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software and stay productive. Here’s a growing list of all of my favorite stuff.

Workstation

  • M1 Mac Mini, 16GB RAM (2020)

    I am using an M1 Mac Mini and I am super impressed by the performance and how quiet it is even at heavy processing workloads.

  • ViewSonic, 32-Inch, VX3276-2K-MHD

    A reasonably priced diplay that I've been using for years and works really well with Macs. The 32 inches provide enough resolution to have multiple windows open, especially with VS Code and the terminal.

  • Logitech MX Keys

    Really great keyboard which allows you easy switching between machines. The keys feel good and the backlight is very useful during evening coding.

  • Logitech MX Ergo wireless trackball

    Took me only a week to get used to the trackball but since then I've been super impressed with the accuracy and flexibility this mouse gives you. I can switch between different machines easily with a click of a button.

  • Herman Miller Sayl Chair

    Really the best chair out there if you want to spend hours in front of your monitor and work comfortably. I've had mine for years and never looked back even though it was expensive to begin with.

    • Development

  • VS Code

    I've tried different IDEs and text editors over the years but I always felt very comfortable with VS Code. The extensions and ease of use across multiple languages are my favourite features.

  • iTerm2

    I’m honestly not even sure what features I get with this that aren’t just part of the macOS Terminal but it’s what I use.

    • Productivity

  • Github

    This is the standard for me in terms of source control and code management. I use it periodically for personal development but it's the main tool we are using at work.

  • Notes

    Using a daily notes system instead of trying to keep things organized by topics has been super powerful for me. And with Notes, it’s still easy for me to keep all my thoughts organised.

  • Teamgantt

    Great tool for planning and for creating development roadmaps. I've tried other tools but this stands out. It is easy to use, doesn't crash and I can track multiple development streams with no effort.