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diff --git a/users/tazjin/blog/posts/best-tools.md b/users/tazjin/blog/posts/best-tools.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..314d0a4419 --- /dev/null +++ b/users/tazjin/blog/posts/best-tools.md @@ -0,0 +1,183 @@ +In the spirit of various other "Which X do you use?"-pages I thought it would be +fun to have a little post here that describes which tools I've found to work +well for myself. + +When I say "tools" here, it's not about software - it's about real, physical +tools! + +If something goes on this list that's because I think it's seriously a +best-in-class type of product. + +<!-- markdown-toc start - Don't edit this section. Run M-x markdown-toc-refresh-toc --> +- [Media & Tech](#media--tech) + - [Keyboard](#keyboard) + - [Speakers](#speakers) + - [Headphones](#headphones) + - [Earphones](#earphones) + - [Phone](#phone) +- [Other stuff](#other-stuff) + - [Toothbrush](#toothbrush) + - [Shavers](#shavers) + - [Shoulder bag](#shoulder-bag) + - [Wallet](#wallet) +<!-- markdown-toc end --> + +--------- + +# Media & Tech + +## Keyboard + +The best keyboard that money will buy you at the moment is the [Kinesis +Advantage][advantage]. There's a variety of contoured & similarly shaped +keyboards on the market, but the Kinesis is the only one I've tried that has +properly implemented the keywell concept. + +I struggle with RSI issues and the Kinesis actually makes it possible for me to +type for longer periods of time, which always leads to extra discomfort on +laptop keyboards and such. + +Honestly, the Kinesis is probably the best piece of equipment on this entire +list. I own several of them and there will probably be more in the future. They +last forever and your wrists will thank you in the future, even if you do not +suffer from RSI yet. + +Kinesis have announced a split version of the Advantage. Once that is +easily available, I will buy one and evaluate it. + +[advantage]: https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage2/ + +## Speakers + +There are two sets of speakers I use, unfortunately one pair has been in storage +since I left the UK. + +My original favourite speakers are the [Teufel Motiv 2][motiv-2], usually hooked +up to a Chromecast and a record player. I've had these for over a decade and +they're incredibly good, but unfortunately Teufel no longer makes them. Mine are +currently in a warehouse somewhere in London, and I don't know when I will see +them again ... + +It's possible to grab a pair on eBay occasionally, so keep an eye out if you're +interested! + +In my Moscow flat, I have a pair of [Wharfedale Diamond 12][diamond-12] +connected to a Philips amplifier older than myself. These provide an excellent, +balanced, "Wharfedale-sound". Some people find it needs some getting used to, +but don't want to go back after that initial phase. + +[motiv-2]: https://www.teufelaudio.com/uk/pc/motiv-2-p167.html +[diamond-12]: https://www.wharfedaleusa.com/collections/diamond-12 + +## Headphones + +I use the [Bose QC35][qc35] (note: link goes to a newer generation than the one +I own) for their outstanding noise cancelling functionality and decent sound. + +When I first bought them I didn't expect them to end up on this list as the +firmware had issues that made them only barely usable, but Bose has managed to +iron these problems out over time. + +I avoid using Bluetooth when outside and fortunately the QC35 come with an +optional cable that you can plug into any good old 3.5mm jack. + +[qc35]: https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headphones/over_ear_headphones/quietcomfort-35-wireless-ii.html + +### Earphones + +Actually, to follow up on the above - most of the time I'm not using (over-ear) +headphones, but (in-ear) earphones - specifically the (**wired!!!**) [Apple +EarPods][earpods]. + +Apple will probably stop selling these soon because they've gotten into the +habit of cancelling all of their good products, so I have a stash of these +around. You will usually find no fewer than 3-4 of them lying around in my +flat. + +[earpods]: https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MNHF2ZM/A/earpods-with-35mm-headphone-plug + +## Phone + +My current phone is the [Unihertz Atom L][atom-l]. It is a rugged, small-screen +smartphone with a 3.5mm heapdhone jack. This phone is *weird* looking, getting +one of these means you will constantly be asked what kind of device you have +there. It does everything I need, and survives being thrown against a wall when +the software misbehaves. As the Swedes would say, this phone is solidly *lagom*. + +The ruggedness is an additional bonus as it survives things like sauna / banya +trips just fine. + +Up until a few years ago I used the original [iPhone SE][se]. This was the last +truly good phone anyone made, but unfortunately it was discontinued and is iOS +only. + +[atom-l]: https://www.unihertz.com/products/atom-l +[se]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_SE + +# Other stuff + +## Toothbrush + +The [Philips Sonicare][sonicare] is excellent and well worth its price. + +I've had it for a few years and whereas I occasionally had minor teeth issues +before, they seem to be mostly gone now. According to my dentist the state of my +teeth is now usually pretty good and I draw a direct correlation back to this +thing. + +It has an app and stuff, but I just ignore that. + +I first got one of these in about 2014, and it lasted until 2020, at which point +I upgraded to whatever the current model was. + +[sonicare]: https://www.philips.co.uk/c-m-pe/electric-toothbrushes + +## Shavers + +The [Philipps SensoTouch 3D][sensotouch] is excellent. Super-comfortable close +face shave in no time and leaves absolutely no mess around, as far as I can +tell! I've had this for ~7 years and it's not showing any serious signs of aging +yet. + +Another bonus is that its battery time is effectively infinite (in the order of +months of use per charge). I've never had to worry when bringing it on a longer +trip! + +[sensotouch]: https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/1250X_40/norelco-sensotouch-3d-wet-and-dry-electric-razor-with-precision-trimmer + +## Shoulder bag + +When I moved to London I wanted to stop using backpacks most of the time, as +those are just annoying to deal with when commuting on the tube. + +To work around this I wanted a good shoulder bag with a vertical format (to save +space), but it turned out that there's very few of those around that reach any +kind of quality standard. + +The one I settled on is the [Waterfield Muzetto][muzetto] leather bag. It's one +of those things that comes with a bit of a price tag attached, but it's well +worth it! + +**Unfortunately**, just like my speakers, this bag is now in storage somewhere +in the UK since I left the country. + +After moving to Moscow I quickly ran into the same problem as in London when +using the metro, but getting another Muzetto was kind of impractical. + +I couldn't find any other vertical messenger bags that I liked, and ended up +going for a more traditional one: The [Brialdi Ostin][ostin]. + +[muzetto]: https://www.sfbags.com/collections/shoulder-messenger-bags/products/muzetto-leather-bag +[ostin]: https://www.brialdi.ru/shop/handbags/brialdi_ostin_brown/ + +## Wallet + +My wallet is the [Bellroy Slim Sleeve][slim-sleeve]. It's near indestructible, +looks great, is very slim and fits a ton of cards, business cards, receipts and +whatever else you want to be lugging around with you! + +However, now that I'm spending a lot of time in Egypt (where cash is still +king), not having a place to stash cash is a bit of an issue. So far, no +solution! + +[slim-sleeve]: https://bellroy.com/products/slim-sleeve-wallet/default/charcoal |