website / src / pages / uses.astro

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import Layout from "@layouts/Layout.astro";
import ExtLink from "@components/ExtLink.astro";
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<Layout title="Uses">
  <h1><span class="gradient-text">Ben C</span> Uses...</h1>
  <p>
    Here's a list of stuff I use everyday. While I do like all the stuff I list here, keep in mind
    I'm not trying to tell you that you should/have to use it as well. I just have a lot of love and
    appreciation for the tools I use and the people who made them, so I wanted to share that here.
  </p>
  <section>
    <h2>Hardware</h2>
    I'm a big Valve fan so I like naming my devices after companies in their games.
    <h3>Framework 13 Laptop (<code>aperture</code>)</h3>
    <p>
      My main laptop! I bought the Intel version back in 2023 and still love using it. The internal
      mic doesn't work and the keyboard is failing a bit but I will use this thing until it doesn't
      turn on anymore.
    </p>
    <h3>Custom built Desktop (<code>black-mesa</code>)</h3>
    <p>
      Desktop of theseus I've had for a good while now. Currently has an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and a AMD
      Radeon RX 7800 XT GPU. I used it a lot for gaming but I haven't played much recently. Now it
      acts as a server for silly projects like <a href="/projects/bingus-bot">Bingus</a>.
    </p>
    <h3>Raspberry Pi 4 (<code>mann-co</code>)</h3>
    <p>
      Rpi I use mostly for testing stuff. I also sometimes plug it in and have it WOL my desktop
      every minute in case my power goes out 💀.
    </p>
    <h3>Pixel 7</h3>
    <p>
      Phone I use for phone things. I've been trying to use it less and less. I'm hoping I can
      install an alternative Android version like GrapheneOS soon-ish. Especially since Google is
      trying to kill the only cool thing about Android.
    </p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Software</h2>
    Too much software.
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://nixos.org/">NixOS</ExtLink> (Linux Distro)</h3>
    <p>
      I started using NixOS when I started college and never looked back. Having a unified
      abstraction for configuring my system is a dream come true. All of my configs are public and
      available <a href="https://tangled.org/bwc9876.dev/nixos-config" target="_blank"
        >as a Git repository</a
      >.
    </p>
    <p>
      I use an alternative implementation of Nix called <ExtLink href="https://lix.systems/"
        >Lix</ExtLink
      >.
    </p>

    <h3>Command Line</h3>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://nushell.sh/">Nushell</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Nushell is my favorite shell. It is data-oriented and nice to use. It has a lot f nice stuff
      for converting data formats and transforming data. It makes scripting easy.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://starship.rs/">Starship</ExtLink> (prompt)</h4>
    <p>
      I use starship to generate my shell's prompt. I like how configurable it is and copy my config
      to other platforms and shells to get a consistent experience.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://github.com/ajeetdsouza/zoxide">Zoxide</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Zoxide is a nice utility that remembers directories I've <code>cd</code>'d into. When I <code
        >cd</code
      > again it uses that database to find a suitable directory without needing me to type in the whole
      path. As an example, I can <code>cd</code> into my NixOS config by just typing <code
        >cd ni</code
      >.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://tldr.sh/">tldr</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      tldr is a concise version of man, with a community maintained list of documentation that tells
      you how to do common actions with a given command.
    </p>
    <p>
      I use a tldr implementation called <ExtLink href="https://tealdeer-rs.github.io/tealdeer/"
        >tealdeer</ExtLink
      >.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://github.com/sharkdp/bat">bat</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Bat is a pretty version of cat that gives syntax highlighting and auto-pages if needed. It
      also has stuff for viewing manpages and diffs.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://yazi-rs.github.io/">yazi</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Yazi is TUI file manager. I really like it for quick file operations. It also has a mount
      plugin for udisks and can extract archives automatically.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://www.musicpd.org/">MPD</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Daemon for playing music! It's nice that I can change players while still having the same
      underlying system. It also can announce songs to Discord and MPRIS.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://rmpc.mierak.dev/">rmpc</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>Command line controller for MPD, I really like how simple it is. And it supports Cava.</p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://just.systems/man/en/">just</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      A refreshingly simple command runner that <em>just</em> works. I write recipes in a Justfile and
      it runs the commands I specify.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://docs.jj-vcs.dev/latest/">jujutsu</ExtLink> (jj)</h4>
    <p>
      An alternative to Git. From the moment I started using it I loved it. It has very good UX and
      makes my life so much easier. The underlying repository is still Git too!
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://neovim.io/">neovim</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      I like terminal editors, and <ExtLink href="https://github.com/nix-community/nixvim"
        >Nixvim</ExtLink
      > makes configuring it very nice.
    </p>
    <h4>
      <ExtLink href="https://github.com/pythops/impala">impala</ExtLink>, <ExtLink
        href="https://github.com/pythops/bluetui">bluetui</ExtLink
      >
    </h4>
    <p>Both TUIs for managing Wifi/Bluetooth, very handy!</p>

    <h3>Graphics</h3>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://niri-wm.github.io/niri/">Niri</ExtLink> (Window Manager)</h4>
    <p>
      Niri is a wayland window manager that lays out windows as an infinite strip of columns. I
      really like this methodology and have started to like having my sites and apps as columns. I
      have firefox set to open links in new windows now too since it's easier to manage that way.
    </p>
    <p>In addition to Niri I use the following programs to build a graphical shell.</p>
    <ul>
      <li>waybar</li>
      <li>swaync</li>
      <li>swayosd</li>
      <li>hyprlock</li>
      <li>swayidle</li>
      <li>rofi</li>
    </ul>
    <p>The config I use for each of these are in my NixOS flake.</p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://www.firefox.com/en-US/">Firefox</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      I've used Firefox for a while. It's my favorite to configure with Nix, and I can disable all
      their annoying stuff (suggestions, new tab stories, AI stuff, telemetry) pretty easily.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://catppuccin.com/">Catppuccin</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Catppuccin my beloved. I like the color scheme and the Nix integration is amazing. All must be
      cat.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://github.com/zaps166/QMPlay2">QMPlay2</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>Video player I like to use, it's mostly for local files. For music I use MPD/rmpc.</p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://wezterm.org/">Wezterm</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Wezterm is a nice terminal emulator that is fast enough for me. However, I don't have a use
      for a lot of its features, might switch to something else soon.
    </p>
    <p>
      Also it keeps freezing? Although this may be just my laptop so I'm not gonna blame it there.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://kdeconnect.kde.org/">KDE Connect</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Connecting my phone to my computer. It syncs clipboard, media controls, and notifications! I
      love using it.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://keepassxc.org/">KeepassXC</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      A nice password manager. I can't configure it with Nix that well but I live with it. I like
      how it can manage SSH keys as well, putting them in my agent when the DB is unlocked.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://syncthing.net/">Syncthing</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Not <em>really</em> graphical but putting it here anyway. Easy, reliable sync between my devices.
      I use it to sync data between my laptop, desktop, and phone. I sync my entire photo and music library
      (surprisingly fits fine on my phone) as well as my KeepassXC database.
    </p>
    <h4><ExtLink href="https://font.subf.dev/en/">Maple Mono</ExtLink></h4>
    <p>
      Nice looking monospace font for my editor! I like the ligatures and it has nerd fonts builtin.
    </p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Sites/Services</h2>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://witchsky.app">Witchsky</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>Alternative frontend for Bluesky. A lot of neat features and a catppuccin theme!!!</p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="github.com/haileyok/cocoon">Cocoon</ExtLink> (Self-hosted)</h3>
    <p>
      Self hosting my PDS is scary and fun. Cocoon seemed simple so I went with it, and it works
      great! I might try tranquil at some point too.
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://tangled.org">Tangled</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      I get to self host my own repositories while still getting social features. Tangled is such a
      neat idea and I really want to see it succeed.
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://porkbun.com">Porkbun</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      They're a good registrar. I'm not gonna lie "AI generated domain search" seems so silly to me.
      I really don't get the point. Either way it's a nice experience and their UI is easy to use.
    </p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Languages/Frameworks</h2>
    Stuff I like using.
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://nixos.org/">Nix</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      I don't just use it for my system! I like using Nix to develop my software. Setting up dev
      environments is easy and distributing packages is nice. The language itself isn't perfect, but
      the pros heavily outweigh the cons.
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://rust-lang.org/">Rust</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      Rust is a nice language. I struggled to find a "go-to" language for my projects but after
      learning Rust I really like using it. It's my favorite language.
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://tauri.app/">Tauri</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      Rust and web, my two favorite things! Tauri lets you write most application logic in Rust and
      then use a WebView for the frontend. It uses the system webview (for better or for worse). It
      might be a bit overkill but also nuh uh.
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://astro.build/">AstroJS</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      Astro is really nice for SSG. I don't use it for SSR but it's probably good for that too. I
      just really like having integrations with other frameworks and the content collections system
      is so wonderful to use. Their docs also made me want to get into technical writing. It's
      usually my go-to for making any static site since I know it well and it's versatile. This
      website is made with Astro :)
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://vite.dev">Vite</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      Vite is a nice build tool. Astro is built on top of it but when Astro is too much (like when
      I'm using Tauri), Vite is a great choice.
    </p>
    <h3>
      <ExtLink href="https://docs.astral.sh/uv/">uv</ExtLink>, <ExtLink
        href="https://docs.astral.sh/ruff/">ruff</ExtLink
      > (Python)
    </h3>
    <p>
      Modern Python tooling THANK GOD. uv is a great package manager with actually nice UX. Ruff is
      a good lightweight formatter and linter.
    </p>
    <h3>
      <ExtLink href="https://oxc.rs/docs/guide/usage/linter">oxlint</ExtLink>, <ExtLink
        href="https://oxc.rs/docs/guide/usage/formatter.html">oxfmt</ExtLink
      > (JavaScript/TypeScript)
    </h3>
    <p>Replacements for eslint and prettier. Both are a lot faster and not as bloated. Big fan.</p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://www.djangoproject.com/">Django</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      I don't use it much anymore but I'd still die for it. It's so easy to use and the ORM is my
      favorite
    </p>
    <h3><ExtLink href="https://typst.app/">Typst</ExtLink></h3>
    <p>
      I use Typst for any documents or slide shows I create. I love having a language to use instead
      of having to do WYSIWYG editing. <a href="/resume.pdf">My Resume</a> is made with Typst.
    </p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Finding Cool Things</h2>
    <p>
      Most of this stuff I did not discover on my own! I read a lot of sites like <ExtLink
        href="https://lobste.rs/">lobsters</ExtLink
      > to learn about new projects. I also like social media (and social media-adjacent) sites like Bluesky,
      GitHub, and Tangled to find new projects!
    </p>
  </section>
</Layout>