Things I Use

Last updated: 20260608 # Changelog at bottom

People ask me all the time, “What are you using for ___?” Well, here you go. This list will stay updated.

  • 2 Factor (2FA)
  • 3D Printing
  • AdBlock
  • AI
    • Claude Code   # Amazing code helper buddy
    • ChatGPT   # Great all-purpose AI
    • Gemini   # Mostly for work, but also good for random stuff
    • Kagi Assistant   # Private AI with many models available
  • Analytics
    • Umami   # Self-hosted, open-source webpage metrics
  • App Stores
  • Backup & Storage
  • Bookmarks
  • Browser
  • Calendar
    • Radicale   # Self-hosted CalDAV server. It pulls shared Google calendar events into SQLite, and python scripts do the rest.
  • Chat
    • Signal   # the only true End to End Encrypted (E2EE) chat
    • Rooms: I’ll post on this in a bit.
  • Desktop OS
    • Linux Mint   # Daily driver. I just love Cinnamon.
    • Windows 10   # Clean and heavily modified and used exclusively for gaming / CAD. See Windows Annoyances
  • Domains
    • Porkbun   # Low-cost, no-bullshit registrar
  • Email
    • Tuta   # with custom domains; $3/mo fully encrypted and private
  • Entertainment
    • Music
      • Navidrome   # self-hosted music server
      • Streaming
        • Rekt.Network   # Streaming chillsynth, synthwave, cyberpunk, etc.
        • Radio Paradise   # curated radio by people that love music
        • SomaFM   # chill background music
    • Video
      • TV
        • SmartTubeTV   # Ad free YT with amazing features like SponsorBlock
        • Jellyfin   # free and private selfhosted media player
        • SoundTV   # The best Twitch frontend with a lot of customization
      • Desktop/Mobile
        • Xtra   # Ad free Twitch; I don’t know how people use the vanilla Twitch apps
        • Hush   # I’ll post on this in a bit - selfhosted YouTube front-end
  • Fitness / Health
  • Gaming
  • Images
    • PhotoPea   # web based replacement for Photoshop
  • Investing
    • Mint   # I made a free, self-hosted stock portfolio dashboard
  • Keyboard
    • (Android) gBoard   # Yes, it’s Google. But you can block network access to the app. Use what works.
    • (Desktop) Keychron   # K1 Pro & B1 Pro: Open source, custom keyboards with RF, Bluetooth, and USB-C
  • Mouse
  • Navigation & Maps (Android)
    • Magic Earth   # this app is amazing December’s update turned it into total garbage!
      • Download the version from August. If you can’t find it, I saved a copy here. This copy is from APKMirror and is in APKM format. You’ll need an apkm installer - which there are plenty available.
  • News
    • Echo.   # I’ll post on this in a bit. Likely next on my list.
  • Notes
    • Mark   # Self-hosted note-taking app
  • Notifications
    • Ping.   # Built my own notification site with Python and enhanced it with ntfy. I’ll post about this soon.
  • Passwords
  • Phone
  • Podcasts
  • Search
    • Kagi   # It’s worth paying IMO because all other search is garbage
  • Smart TV
    • Nvidia Shield   # Been using the same Android box since 2017. There’s nothing better - yet.
  • Social
  • Tasks
    • Focus.   # Built a self-hosted task manager.

 

  • 20260608
    • Added Mint
    • Added health metrics and devices
  • 20260606
    • Added link to Focus (Task Manager)
    • Removed Reddit Enhancement Suite Browser Extension
    • Removed Discord in favor of Rooms
    • Added Desktop Operating Systems
    • Added Umami website analytics
    • Removed DeepSeek - not used very often
    • Removed Twitter - sidebar link too
  • 20260521
    • Added Extensions Squeak and Word.
    • Added Rooms under chat.
  • 20260514
    • Replace VSCode with Claude Code
    • Added DeepSeek and Gemini to AI
    • Removed CleanURLs extension
    • Removed LinkedDing Injector extension
    • Removed AirSonic Refix
    • Replaced FlatNotes with Mark
  • 20260327
    • Replace Cursor with VSCode
  • 20260223
    • Replaced PeerTube with LibreTube
    • Swapped Bromite with Cromite (again)
    • Added Obtanium as an AppStore
  • 20251219
    • Replaced Emby with Jellyfin. Turns out Emby kinda sucks.
    • Added the Anbernic RG353V for mobile retro gaming.
    • Removed LibRedirect.
    • Added Logitech Pebble mouse.
  • 20251216
    • Replaced Plex with Emby. Plex has far too many issues.
  • 20251212
    • Updated Magic Earth (Maps)
    • Switched mobile browser back to Bromite
    • Switched to Verizon pre-paid
    • Removed Perplexity AI
  • 20251124
    • Added AirSonic Refix
    • Removed Tempo - open source AirSonic app
    • Added Rekt.Network - streaming music site
    • Replaced TT-RSS with Echo.
    • Replaced Slack with Ping.
    • Removed PocketCasts
    • Replaced TickTick with Focus.
    • Replaced rsync mention with shell backup scripts
  • 20251020
    • Mass update replacing Slack, Music, Podcasts, RSS, YT, and more.
    • Removed F-Droid over far left-wing political drama.
  • 20250816
    • Removed ChatGPT and added Gemini-CLI from AI section
    • Removed Navidrome and added AirSonic Advanced under Music
    • Bolded topic headers
    • Replaced mobile adblock with VPN
  • 20250702
    • Added Gaming section
  • 20250609
    • Added Navidrome
    • Added Cursor
    • Added SomaFM radio
    • Added Discord
    • Added Podcasts section
    • Removed Music > Plex
  • 20250504
    • Added AI section
  • 20250330
    • Changed my mouse
  • 20250324
    • Removed Pi-Hole
  • 20250225
    • Added Keychron B1 Pro
  • 20250110
    • Removed OrcaSlicer due to Bambu drama
    • Replaced self-hosted libreddit with Reddit Enhancement Suite and LibRedirect
  • 20250110
    • Switched mobile browsers
    • Switched mobile adblock
    • Removed GWMaps for mobile Google maps via webview
    • Switched out blood pressure tracking
    • Removed RiMusic (YTMusic replacement)
    • Replaced Futo with gBoard
    • Removed Energize food tracker

Questions or comments?

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