---
title: Uses
date: 2026-09-16T09:00:00+02:00
description: Hardware, software, and systems I use for work, learning, and writing.
permalink: uses/
---

Fewer tools, used more deeply. I prefer software that stays out of the way, keeps data local when it can, and still works on old machines.

## Hardware

Keeping laptops for a decade is a choice: less waste, less OS churn, more familiarity.

### Laptops

- **MSI GT70 (2012)**: Primary workstation. A heavy desktop-replacement that is still 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 ultra-portable for travel, reading, and writing.

### Mobile

- **Google Pixel 10 Pro**: Phone for reading, spaced repetition, and messaging.

## Operating system

Keyboard-driven, no window clutter.

- **[CachyOS](https://cachyos.org/)**: Arch-based Linux, tuned so this hardware still feels current.
- **[i3](https://i3wm.org/)**: Tiling window manager. Everything is a keybinding.
- **[Alacritty](https://alacritty.org/)**: GPU-accelerated terminal. Fast, no tabs, no config UI.
- **[fish](https://fishshell.com/)**: Interactive shell with syntax highlighting and history autosuggestions.

The extras live on a [separate command-line tools](/useful-command-line-tools/) page.

## AI

Fewer AI tools every month. [Venice.ai](https://go.dambron.fr/veniceai) is replacing them one by one.

- **[Venice.ai](https://go.dambron.fr/veniceai)**: Default for almost everything AI. Chat, image and video generation, transcription fallback, and private access to open-weight and frontier models. [My referral link](https://go.dambron.fr/veniceai) gets you $10 of free credit.
- **[OpenWhispr](https://openwhispr.com/)**: Voice input. Local inference for transcription, Venice when the laptop isn't enough.
- **[Pi](https://pi.dev/)**: My main coding agent in the terminal. Models served through Venice.
- **[NotebookLM](https://notebooklm.google.com)**: I upload books, papers, and notes, then ask across them.
- **[Gemini](https://gemini.google.com)**: Long-form planning, structured research, and anything that needs live web search or Google services.
- **[Antigravity CLI](https://antigravity.google)**: Mostly because it's bundled with my Google plan, so I might as well.

## Desktop

Reading, writing, remembering.

- **[Neovim](https://neovim.io/)**: Editor for writing and code.
- **[Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/)**: Local-first notes.
- **[Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/)**: Spaced repetition for languages and anything I want to keep.
- **[Calibre](https://calibre-ebook.com/)**: DRM-free ebook library.
- **[Brave Origin](https://brave.com/origin/)**: Debloated Brave on Linux: privacy and ad-blocking, no Web3, rewards, or AI extras.

## Mobile

Only what I actually open away from the desk.

- **[AnkiDroid](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ichi2.anki)**: Daily reviews.
- **[Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/)**: Capture notes.
- **[Signal](https://signal.org/)**: Private messaging.
- **[Brave](https://brave.com)**: Mobile browser.

## Services

- **Languages**: [Fluent Forever](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fluentforever.fluentapp), [Duolingo](https://duolingo.com), and [Memrise](https://www.memrise.com).
- **[Readwise](https://go.dambron.fr/readwise)**: Highlights from physical books (OCR), Kindle, and articles, resurfaced daily.
- **[Nirvana](https://nirvanahq.com)**: Task manager built around GTD, nothing extra.
- **[GitHub](https://github.com)** / **[GitLab](https://gitlab.com/)**: Version control.
- **[Spotify](https://spotify.com)**: Music for focus, and podcasts.