/uses

Inspired by Wes Bos (as I found his resource very useful) this is a quick rundown of the things I use day to day for work / general messing around.

Editor + Terminal

I've been all in on Visual Studio Code for a few years now. I'm constatnly playing around with settings, but I'm pretty happy at the mo. I'm using Dracula and the Material Icon Theme and Victor Mono as a monospace font.

After experimenting with a few different terminals, I've switched back to iTerm2, but frankly, I normally use VScodes built-in terminal.

For my shell, I'm using ZSH, again stealing Wes's setup, and I'm pretty happy with that.

I use Amazon Q for code completion in the temrnal, somewhat by acident as they aquired Fig. But, seems to work nicley.

Desktop Apps

My go-to browser is Firefox these days. I quite like being the only person on a team with a different browser. Good for catching obscure bugs before/as/after they go live.

For design stuff, I'm now fully onboard the Figma train. It's great, and I hope ~~Adobe~~ they don't ruin it.

Hardware

I have a 14 Inch Macbook Pro (2021). Having had an M2 Air for a short time for work, I don't think I'd buy a Pro model again. These M series chips are insane, and I don't think I've herd the fans once.

On my desk is a Samsung 27" S80TB ViewFinity UHD Monitor which I managed to get for a steal from Costco. Its not perfect, but was over £1000 cheaper than the Apple Studio Display.

For input, I'm using the combo of a Logitech MX Master 3 mouse and Logitech MX Keys. I spent years on the Apple Magic Keyboard & Mouse, but I find my wrists less painful after a few days of hard work with these, which I attribute mostly to the mouse.

Desk

My Desktop is a stupidly heavy bit of wood rescued from an office refurbishment job in Bristol. A friend saw a load of wood going in the bin, so just chucked it in his boot and gave me a call. For legs, I'm using Flexispot EF1 which I like, especially for the price.

I'm using Fully Jarvis Dual Monitor Arms, with a laptop stand on one of the arms. I was lucky enough to be given this by a friend, and don't think I'll go back now.

To hide a few old drill holes I'm using a Dotgrid Black deskmat, mostly as it had a good review from David Darnes.

My chair is a Ikea LÅNGFJÄLL. Brought mostly because it was pretty cheap when we first moved back from Canada, it acctually suits me well.

Audio

At home, I have a Numark tt-1700 turntable, which I was given by my step-brother. It's not my ideal turntable, but for now, it works. That's hooked up to a ProJect Phono Box E phono stage. To switch between my laptop and the record player I use a JDS Labs OL Switcher, which feeds into a set of Kanto YU powered speakers.

It's a small/cheap ish setup, which I'm planning on investing a bit more into over the next few years. A proper DAC is next on my shopping list, probably from JDS Labs, then maybe a ProJect AUTOMAT A1

On the go, I'm using a pair of Apple Airpods Pro. I can take or leave the noise cancellation and the price tag, but the seamless pairing/switching between my phone/laptop/iPad is hands down the best feature.

I've still got a pair of Shure SE215s, but I mostly use these with the Playstation so as not to disturb others in the house.

Gaming

My go-to console is a PlayStation 5, but I only really play 3/4 games a year. I picked up a PS Plus account to play some classics on the cheap.

I keep thinking about a Steam Deck, but not pulled the trigger just yet.

Coffee

Espresso

This was the big lockdown hobby that now dominates my life. After putting it off for a long time I ended up getting a good price on a Gaggia Classic (2019), which I've modded with a couple of accessions from Shades of Coffee.

I pair this with a Eureka Mignon Zero grinder, which doesn't look super pretty, but had good reviews and I'm happy with it. The dream is a Niche Zero, but Im hoping the release a flat burr version, or multi-purpose burrs for the Duo.

Filter

For filter brewing, I use a Hario V60 or an AeroPress, which for both I have a variety of paper, metal, and cloth filters. When travelling, I'll normally carry a MiiR Pourigami.

I've brought into Fellow, picking up a Stagg EKG Electric Kettle and Tally™ Pro scales.

The coffee bar is getting a bit excessive, but maybe I'll pick up a Clever Dripper and some sort of Mokka Pot in the near future.

As for techniques/recepies/ratios, I'll do whatever James Hoffmann recommends.

Other

My phone is a iPhone 16.
I also have an iPad Air M2 which I mostly use for looking up recipes in the kitchen or watching movies on public transport.
My daily backpack is a handmade Daysack by Big Top. It's fully waterproof (rain-wise), I've had it for 11 years and I imagine it'll last forever.

Liam Richardson