Uses

What I Use

My approach to tools is simple: fewer commitments, more depth, and digital autonomy. I favor systems that respect my privacy, encourage deliberate focus, and stand the test of time.

Here is a curated look at the hardware, software, and systems that power my daily life.

Hardware & Longevity

I believe in extreme hardware longevity. Keeping laptops running for over a decade is a conscious choice to resist modern OS bloat and reduce electronic waste.

Laptops

• MSI GT70 (2012): My primary workstation. An absolute tank of a "desktop replacement" that remains snappy under Linux.
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-3610QM | GPU: NVIDIA GTX 675M | RAM: 8GB | Storage: Dual SSD (120GB) + 750GB HDD
• ASUS Zenbook UX305 (2014): Fanless, silent ultra-portable laptop for travel, reading, and distraction-free writing.

Mobile

• Google Pixel 10 Pro: Clean, high-performance mobile hub for reading, spaced repetition, and secure communication.

Operating System & Environment

My desktop environment is designed for distraction-free, keyboard-driven productivity.

• CachyOS: Performance-optimized, Arch-based Linux distribution. Aggressive optimizations make decade-old hardware feel modern.
• i3: Minimalist tiling window manager. Eliminates window clutter and maximizes keyboard-driven focus.
• fish: Shell featuring excellent out-of-the-box syntax highlighting and smart history autosuggestions.

I also maintain a list of useful command line tools that keep my terminal workflow efficient.

The AI Toolchain & Cognitive Leverage

Rather than relying on a single general assistant, I use a specialized suite of LLMs, choosing each based on privacy, context, and reasoning demands.

• Venice.ai: My primary AI tool and sanctuary for private computing. A privacy-first gateway to top-tier open-source models, used for daily brainstorming, coding, and sensitive writing without data harvesting.
• NotebookLM: A powerful synthesis engine for reading. I upload books, papers, and logs here to query cross-document connections and generate custom study guides.
• Gemini: Used for long-form planning, structured research, and tasks requiring real-time web search or integration with Google services.
• Grok: A fast, logical sparring partner for complex code and raw technical analysis that benefits from a direct, no-nonsense reasoning style.

AI CLI & Agentic Assistants (Testing)

• Antigravity CLI: Google DeepMind's agentic coding assistant.
• OpenCode: Open-source terminal AI coding agent.
• Pi: Terminal-based AI coding agent.

Desktop Software & Second Brain

My desktop suite centers on deep reading, writing, and long-term knowledge retention.

• Neovim: Deeply customized modal text editor, highly tailored to my writing and coding habits.
• Obsidian: My local-first digital second brain for organizing, connecting, and synthesizing thoughts.
• Anki: Spaced repetition flashcards used to commit core concepts and languages to permanent memory.
• Calibre: Offline manager to catalog and curate a massive, DRM-free digital library.
• Brave Origin: Minimalist, debloated version of Brave (free on Linux) that removes Web3, rewards, and AI features to focus entirely on privacy and ad-blocking.

Mobile Software (Focus on the Go)

I keep my mobile screen highly intentional, carrying over only the tools that support learning and utility.

• AnkiDroid: Lubricates daily flashcard reviews when away from the desk.
• Obsidian: Fast access to synced markdown notes for capturing fleeting ideas.
• Signal: Secure communication respecting data sovereignty.
• Brave: Clean, ad-free mobile browsing.

Services & Daily Habits

• Language Learning: Fluent Forever, Duolingo, and Memrise for structured daily practice.
• Readwise: Automatically aggregates highlights from physical books (via OCR), Kindle, and article feeds for daily recall.
• Nirvana: Strict, minimal task manager built entirely around the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology.
• Github / GitLab: Version control and code collaboration.
• Spotify: Soundtrack companion for deep focus and podcasts.