My personal toolkit of hardware, software, and more.

I'm a big fan of tools that help me get things done. Here are some of the tools I use on a daily basis.

Frameworks

  • NextJS

    Although I'm skilled in many languages and frameworks, I prefer to use NextJS for most of my projects. It's a very powerful framework that allows me to quickly build full stack applications. It's also very flexible and allows me to tie into other backend technologies like GraphQL and OpenSearch, but also APIs on top of AI models.

  • GraphQL

    I love the semantic nature of GraphQL. It allows me to quickly build APIs that are easy to understand and easy to use. I've been using it since 2015, and I've never looked back. It's incredibly easy to understand, and allows me to quickly get access to the data I need.

  • TailwindCSS

    I'm not a strong visual designer, so I like to use TailwindCSS to help me build beautiful websites. It allows me to quickly build beautiful websites without having to worry about the design. I've been using it since 2019, and it's been a game changer for me.

  • OpenSearch

    I started out using Elasticsearch as a way to interract with my DynamoDB database. With the releas of AppSync on AWS, it's incredibly easy to add a GraphQL API to my DynamoDB database, and put an OpensSearch layer on top of it. This allows me to quickly build full stack applications that are easy to understand and easy to use, while also being lightning fast and scalable.

  • Machine Vision

    I've been teaching myself machine vision for a few years now. I've been using it to build a lot of different things: from a self driving car simulation to a way to prevent my dog from ruining my bushes. I love the power of machine vision and I'm always looking for new ways to use it.

  • Deep Learning

    Deep learning, and most specifically, object detection and image classification, is something I've been using to solve real world problems with automation and robotics. Aerbits is a company built on the power of combining automated drones, aerial imagery, deep learning, machine vision, and software automations to solve real world problems.

  • Generative AI

    I' using Generative AI as a force multiplier for my own creativity. I'm using it to generate unique content for my sites, and help write code for me. It speeds me up tremendously and is a good companion if I just need a rubber ducky with whom to discuss ideas.

  • Other tools

    With over two decades of software engineering experience, I've used a lot of different tools. I've used a lot of different languages, frameworks, and libraries. I've used a lot of different IDEs and editors. I've used a lot of different operating systems. I've used a lot of different databases. I could go on and on. I've used a lot of different tools, and I'm always looking for new ones. Some of my more storied experiences include: C, C++, Java, Python, PHP, Perl, Bash, NodeJS, React, Vue, Angular, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Memcached, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, GCP, Azure, and more. I'm a big fan of the mantra: use the right tool for the job.

Development tools

  • Jetbrains Toolbox

    I use a lot of Jetbrains products. I use Webstorm for web development, Pycharm for Python development. I have a license for all of their products and I'm always trying out new ones.

  • Ubuntu Linux

    I prefer the power of the command line. I've been using Linux for a long time. I've tried a lot of different distributions but I always come back to Ubuntu. I've been using it for a few years now and I'm still learning new things about it.

  • AWS

    I've been using AWS since 2012. I've used it for a lot of different things. I've used it for hosting websites, hosting databases, and hosting applications. Now I'm using it for machine learning. Lately I've been using AWS Amplify to quickly deploy full stack applications in NextJS, with GraphQL backends, and OpenSearch/DynamoDB databases. It's a very powerful tool, and speeds up dev time substantially.

Design

  • Canva

    Canva is a simple tool for creating graphics. I use it for creating thumbnails for my YouTube videos and graphics for my blog posts.

  • Midjourney

    Midjourney is a generative AI tool for images. I use it to generate unique visual assets for my sites.

Productivity

  • Notion

    I keep track of all my notes, tasks, and projects in Notion. I like how flexible it is, and how it does not force me into a specific workflow. I can use it however I want. I use it for my daily notes, my weekly reviews, and my monthly reviews.

  • ChatGPT Pro

    ChatGPT Pro is a generative AI tool for text. I use it to generate unique content for my sites, and help write code for me. It speeds me up tremendously and is a good companion if I just need a rubber ducky with whom to discuss ideas.

Workstation

  • AMD Threadripper Pro 3975WX, Dual RTX 6000 Ada, 256 GB RAM

    I custom built my own workstation because I’m a nerd and I like to tinker. I've been teaching myself deep learning and I needed something that could handle the training workloads. It also helps for encoding videos for my YouTube channel. It's a beast and something I look forward to every day.

  • LG 34" Ultrawide Monitor

    It's a big monitor. I like big monitors. I'm not sure I could go back to a smaller monitor. It's also curved which is nice. A lot like having two 27" monitors side by side.

  • ZSA Moonlander

    I love this keyboard. It's ergonomic and I can program it to do whatever I want. I've been using it for a few years now and I'm still learning new things about it. I converted my layout over to Colemak when I adopted this split ortholinear keyboard. I'm not sure I could go back to a regular keyboard.

  • Davinci Resolve Speed Editor

    I've been using Davinci Resolve for video editing for a few years now. I've been using the Speed Editor for a few months now and it's been a game changer. I'm able to edit videos much faster than I was before. I'm still learning all of the shortcuts but I'm getting there.

  • Teleprompter, DSLR Camera, and Atomos Ninja V

    I've been using a teleprompter for my YouTube videos for a few months now. I'm still learning how to use it but it's been a game changer. I'm able to record videos much faster than I was before. I also use it for video chats. It allows me to make "eye contact" with the person I'm talking to.