Tools and equipment 2016

This is a snapshot of the tools that I was using in 2016. A more up-to-date version can be found on the tools and equipment page.

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Everyday I use a series of tools and equipment that make my life easier. These tool change and morph each year. This is my list of recommended tools and equipment.

Inspired by UsesThis.com - A collection of interviews asking people from all walks of life, what they use to get the job done.

What software do you use?

IDE and Text Editor

• Visual Studio Code - A Extensible and customizable text editor. I tend to use this text editor more then I use visual studio’s these days. Free.
• Visual Studio 2015 - A fully-featured, extensible IDE and compiler for C/C++, etc…
• ESP8266 for Arduino - A library that allows the popular ESP8266 chipset to be programmed from the Arduino IDE.

Development tools

• Wireshark - A widely-used network protocol analyzer. I use this every single day.
• Gitlab - A alternative to github. git repo, issue tracker, CI, etc..
• GitKraken - A Git client. NOT free for commercial use.
• Beyond Compare 4 - A file/folder comparison tool.

CAD

• Autodesk fusion 360 - A modern CAD application. Effectively an unlimited trial.
• Cura - Cura prepares your model for 3D printing.

Communication

• GSuite - GMail, Drive, Calendar, etc…
• Skype - There are a lot of problems with Skype but its still the clearest VOIP tool that I have found.
• Google handout - Used by a lot of my friends.
• Signal Private Messenger - Private secure, end to end communications. My prefered form of communication. Chrome
• Github pages + Jekyll - Main blogging platform.

Media

• Google play - My main source for music.
• Netflix - TV and movies.

Other/boring

• Lastpass - A password database.
• Chrome - A web browser.
• Bitlocker - Full disk encryption.

What hardware do you use?

• Microsoft surface pro 3 - This is my primary mobile computer. i7, 8gb RAM, 512GB storage.
• Logitech MX Master - Best mouse I have ever had. Wireless, adaptive scroll wheel auto-shifts from click-to-click to hyper-fast scroll.
• Galaxy S6 Edge - Android phone. I do not recommend this version, I suggest getting the non Edge version.
• Wanhao Duplicator i3 - Solid 3D printer that just works.
• X-Carve CNC - 1000mm wood and plastic CNC.
• Maker’s Notebook - When I do make paper notes, this is my goto book. Grid paper with, useful reference material.

What would be your dream setup?

I am happy with what I have.