In the past, I created a page of all the tools I used. Most of these things are work-related but some are hobbies and entertainment.

So here goes a list of tools I used mostly in the past few months.

Browsers and Apps

Chrome browser is a bit bloated but it is my default browser to get things done. I also use Firefox and Safari. I see a lot of good things about the new types of browsers around but I cannot seem to stick with them and return to Chrome.

Chrome extensions

• WordPress Admin Bar Control: Allows me to quickly toggle hide or show the logged-in WP admin bar.
• Hex Color Picker: I built a couple of websites in the past couple of months – along with a redesign on this one. I find this extension great for storing some Hex codes for CSS.
• 1Password: This extension helps a lot to login to a website using 1Password.
• Cookie-Editor: Quickly create, edit and delete cookies without leaving the tab.
• Sent to Calendar: Send events to Google Calendar automagically from any webpage
• Grammarly: Helps with all those writing mistakes.

Apps for my computer and phone

Gets me through the day

• Spotify – for music (also on phone)
• Alfred 5
• 1Password
• Apple Podcasts – for podcasts (also on phone)
• Slack

Writing and Editing

Notes, Docs and Ideas

• Google Docs – I often scratch out a blog post on a Google Doc.
• Pen and Paper – Great for simple quick temporary notes.
• Pen and Journal / Notebooks – I try to write down my thoughts, not every day but at least once a week. I try not to stick to a template but just let it flow.
• Index Cards – I am trying to use Index cards to leave small notes for myself – sometimes as a bookmark in a book I am reading that I can write into, or to keep a list of things with me in my pocket.

Messaging

• WhatsApp (often)
• Telegram (medium rare)
• Signal (very rare)

WordPress

• Twenty Twenty-Four: The best theme in my opinion so far and great for using the Full Site Editor on WordPress.
• WordPress.com Hosting: The creator plan is a great option.
• Yoast SEO: A nice SEO plugin for WordPress.
• Local: To spin up a local WordPress site on my local machine.

Devices and Headphones

• My computer is a Macbook Air M1 (13 inch).
• iPhone 13
• Sennheiser GSP 300 Wired Over Ear Headphones with Mic (Blue/Black): The microphone clarity is great on this one.
• boAt Airdopes 621 Bluetooth – music, podcast.

Happiness and fun

• Chess.com – Love playing there and also keep on top of news from the chess world.
• Plum Village App – A great guided meditation app. It is free and I like their vibe of not trying to monetize mental health. I find that very respectful.
• Inoreader – Great to keep track of several RSS feeds.

Things I get right

• I avoid having Slack on my phone. I might have it for some specific things like a WordCamp, or while travelling outside the city where I live.
• I also use Instagram and Twitter on my phone sporadically and routinely delete the apps from the phone.
• Facebook is an app I have not had on my phone for several years now.

Previous versions

2020, 2022