---
# System prepended metadata

title: Tools of the Trade

---

# Tools of the Trade

## Tech: Software

- [ ] Trello: nice for noting things down for reference later. I use this for recipes, neat quotes, etc. Used to use it for tasks but not any more
- [ ] Basecamp: project management
- [ ] HackMD: Nice website for typing up simple text-only documents, ex. manifesto
- [ ] Brave Browser: built on open-source Chromium. Great privacy protection, built-in ad blocking, and uses Firefox's PDF viewer (superior to Chrome's, in my opinion)
- [ ] Firefox: for times when I'm feeling passionate about open source :)
- [ ] Vim/NeoVim: incredible text editor, pretty far off the deep end though
- [ ] LaTeX: beautiful typesetting language, highly recommend for resumes and cover letters and any document with a lot of math

Mac-specific:
- [ ] [1Password](https://1password.com): excellent password manager
- [ ] [Rocket](https://matthewpalmer.net/rocket/): autocompletes emojis
- [ ] Things 3: keeping track of tasks
- [ ] Spectacles: lets you resize windows easily using keyboard shortcuts. *Update: Spectacle is no longer actively maintained, but [Rectangle](https://github.com/rxhanson/Rectangle) is recommended as a replacement*
- [ ] [Alfred](https://www.alfredapp.com/): lets you sleep display only using keyboard shortcut, a fantastic feature that I use all the time
- [ ] [Hidden Bar](https://apps.apple.com/app/hidden-bar/id1452453066): great free utility for hiding status bar icons that you never use
- [ ] Bear: great note-taking app, very reasonable pricing for premium ($15/yr) which allows syncing between devices
- [ ] [Copy 'em Paste](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/copyem-paste-clipboard-mgr/id876540291?mt=12): **indispensable**. Saves my clipboard for I don't know how many entries back, ex. I can copy way more than just one thing at a time. Very useful for storing little snippets for later. 
- [ ] [Guidance](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guidance/id412759995?mt=12): nice app that shows salah times in the status bar (top right)
- [ ] [Itsycal](https://www.mowglii.com/itsycal/): I like this much better than the default calendar in the top right of Mac screen. When you click on it, it shows a small popout calendar for the month, nice and handy reference.
- [ ] [SmoothScroll](https://www.smoothscroll.net/mac/): great app that adds smooth scrolling support for mice that have normal scroll wheels
- [ ] [Pock](https://pock.dev/): beautiful tool that shows your dock in the Touch Bar.

## Tech: Hardware
- [ ] Mouse: Logitech Marathon M720 Triathlon
- [ ] Keyboard: Apple Wired Keyboard A1243
- [ ] Monitor: Dell S2417DG, a 23.8" monitor. Not too crazy about the particular monitor, but I **highly** recommend a monitor of at least 2560 x 1440 resolution in roughly that size. Enough resolution to be as crisp as your laptop screen

## Gear
- [ ] [Moshi TeraGlove](): best screen wipe ever. 

## Cooking
Most of the gear here is inspired by [this](https://tim.blog/the-4-hour-chef-top-gear-domestic/) gear list.
- [ ] Chef's knife

## Travel
- [ ] Microfiber towel

## Stationery
- [ ] 2B hardness pencil lead. This was a game changer for me, softer pencil lead (2B has more clay than standard HB) writes so much smoother, very pleasant
- [ ] Pentel Hi-Polymer Eraser
- [ ] [Pulp Storage Case](https://www.jetpens.com/Midori-Pulp-Storage-Pasco-Pen-Case-Black/pd/13752): nice and simple pencil case, has served me wonderfully for years
- [ ] Fountain pen
- [ ] Fountain ink

## Personal Care
- [ ] [Joshua Tree biodegradable body wash](https://www.jtreelife.com/collections/organic-body-wash/products/tea-tree-mint-body-wash)
- [ ] [Simply Gum](https://www.simplygum.com)

