Setup v2

Like any self-respecting nerd, I’m particular about my tech: computers, devices, software, you name it. Here’s the rundown of my setup. If you’ve got suggestions for better alternatives, I’m all ears! Maybe this is just like a GQ series of Top 10 Samy Can’t Live Without™ type of list, surfing on social media marketing (no).

About Work

I’ll only discuss my personal tech stack, not due to NDAs or legal constraints but because I have a very specific mindset at work: stick to the defaults. Using the same configuration, the same keyboard layout, the same hard-drive organization, the same software as your colleagues, you can help or be helped way more easily. Sticking to defaults isn’t trendy or “hacker culture,” but it positions you to improve those defaults for the whole team, rather than isolating yourself with custom setups.

Editors

• Visual Studio Code. I use it extensively for C# development, previously with Unity and now with Godot. Microsoft only ships the debugger of this language with the official build of VS Code despite their Open Source rhetoric. I cannot develop without a proper debugger. With its countless plugins (web/games/embedded), it’s a one stop shop.
• NeoVim with LazyVim. I started this blog solely to learn this editor!
• I use Ghostty (any fast terminal works) with fish shell. It is better than Zsh or Starship.

Desktop App

• I am a Firefox man. I extensively use PWA for Notion and Whatsapp.
• For any setup, you need to be able to locate your files fast. fzf. Of course fzf is amazing because you can fuzzy find anything, files, commands, it will just completely change the way you experience your machine.
• I use Pinta. It is a multiplatform fork of the famous Paint.Net, thought I haven’t found a Linux equivalent as lightweight as IrfanView.
• Spotify’s universal compatiblity across my home cinema, phones and computers/Os is excellent despite relative sync issues.
• Gitea: I try to self-host everything, including this blog. It’s compatible with GitHub and its CI/CD system, without feeding Copilot. Just cool.

Phone App

• Apple Ultra Watch 3. I use it for running and swimming. It just track any of my biometrics. You need a watch, any works certainly but the Apple environment just works. Look at one of my fitness reports to see what I do with it.
• Withings Body Smart + Withings BPM Connect. I weight myself religiously every morning. The app will keep track of all the trends, body fat, hydration and so on. Tracking your blood pressure is actually a fun indicator of stress. In short, I am a big addict to connected smart health devices.
• I am learning Traditional Chinese using Pleco and their flash card system. It is very cheap, no subscription. I used to be on skritter but it is too expensive, and slow.

Audio

• For the last 10+ years, I had a pair of Cabasse MT3 speakers with a Denon receiver connected via HDMI to my TV and computer.
• For travel, I use a pair of Sony WH1000-XM4, just awesome.
• For home, I use a pair of Audeze Maxwell. The sound quality is amazing (both headsets are wireless with built-in amps) but they are so heavy it strains my neck.

Mouse & keyboard

• I have used the Razer DeathAdder forever. So much so, I could not play Counter Strike without one. I tried lighter mice like a Glorious Gaming but wasn’t convinced. To get good O should invest in a real gamer mouse pad.
• I have so many keyboards. My daily driver is a Ducky One 3. I usually only buy white keyboards now and I love its old aesthetic. I only use Cherry MX Blue switches. I need the click and the feedback. I do have a Wooting, and a Razer Huntsman Mini for travel but those keyboards do not spark joy. My Duckies collection is my favourites.

Computers

• My home desktop is a AMD Ryzen 7 3700X with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER. It should perform well, but a faulty USB controller (likely the motherboard) causes lag and overheating. I am too frugal to replace it but I should.
• This blog is self-hosted on a Beelink EQR6 powered by a AMD Ryzen 5 6600U. Heat management is amazing, makes no noises and has 24GB of Ram, swell.
• A Steam Deck used as a dev kit for Linux compatibility and low performance testing, plus occasional Balatro.
• I have a dual monitor setup. My work monitor is a 4K LG 27GN950 (144Hz, G-SYNC). My gamer monitor is a Lenovo Y25-25 (244Hz, G-SYNC). It is a prototype version that this dude gave me. Both do their job.

Linux

• I use Arch Linux with CachyOS which provides sane default and a solid base to expand on. Hyprland with Wayland is fantastic with those settings. My workspace setup: first monitor has workspaces 1-4 (games on 4), second monitor has 5-8 (7 for steam, 8 for Godot) and 9 is for the TV. When developing with Godot, I spawn multiple clients that tile neatly on workspace 4. Windows would requires twice the power to do the same. Linux needs better defaults for mainstream adoption. The “suffer to join the club” mentality holds it back. I do not use Windows anymore.