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/Uses

This is my personal take on a /uses page. It also functions as my Default apps for 2024 post.

Since online reviews are so gamed and broken these days, I wanted to post my stuff so you can ask questions of an actual user of these items. I also post product reviews on my Public Notes website. Please note that these are not necessarily my recommendations, just what I own and use.

So if you have questions about any of these items, please feel free to contact me.

I’m still adding items! Last (partially) updated on February 28, 2025

Devices + Hardware

Software

Some of my favorites apps are:

Online Services

  • Hey – paid email service, love their workflow philosophy
  • WordPress – self-hosted, has run this site since its first release
  • Micro.Blog – interesting blog/social service, I’m using it for rsjon.es and other sites
  • ConvertKit – the email newsletter service I use for this site
  • ForwardEmail.net – email forwarding/smtp for all my domains
  • ButtonDown – Email newsletter I’m testing for #OnePostcard
  • Dreamhost – have had this hosting account for 2+ decades now. Good enough for me
  • Super – I use this to convert Notion pages into the #GoQuesting website
  • Porkbun – domain registration, slowly migrating from now-defunct Google Domains
  • Masto.Host – Use this to host the OnePhoto.Club mastodon instance
  • Obsidian Sync + Publish (I’m a Catalyst supporter too)
  • tinylytics – simple web stats that don’t require cookies or other tracking
  • omg.lol – a weird mix of services and a fun community

Photography

  • Nikon Z5 – my amateur entry into both mirrorless and “fancy” cameras
  • Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 kit lens
  • Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 kit lens
  • Nikon z50 – an addition for Jen, but I’ll use it too
  • Nikkor DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 kit lens
  • LowePro Photo Active TLZ 50 AW case – I use this with the 24-200 lens
  • LowePro Photo Active TLZ 45 AW case – use this with the 24-50 lens, or z50
  • Peak Design Slide Lite and Leash camera straps
  • Olympus TG-4 Tough camera – I’ve long used “tough” cameras for outdoor adventures, but this one is primarily for snorkeling trips.

EDC items

I don’t carry much, but here are my items.

Electronics accessories

Adventuremobile

  • 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited – still what I consider the best all-around “roadtrip vehicle” – great gas mileage, can get us to 90% of the places we want to go, easy to drive/park/turnaround, easy to reach rooftop bins or toss a kayak up top, safe, reliable, and AWD.
  • Thule Atlantis 1600XT rooftop bin
  • Thule BowDown kayak rack
  • Thule BigStack kayak rack
  • Exped MegaMat Duo 10 sleeping pad – perfectly fits the Subaru
  • Napier Sportz Cove 61000 SUV tent – we use this to sleep with the rear gate open
  • Window screens – keeps bugs out and lights dimmed while sleeping in the vehicle
  • 200W power inverter – primarily charge larger items like laptops

Travel items

Clothing for travel and the outdoors

Camping, hiking, and backpacking gear

Look, after almost three decades of camping and backpacking, I have a lot of gear. Much of it is too inconsequential or too old to mention. So I’ve omitted a lot. You should also know that I tend to buy on the extremes: either premium offerings from name brand outfitters, or cheap stuff from Walmart or the Dollar Store.

This list tries to focus on things I use regularly, or that you might actually buy, or buy something similar to, these days.

Sleep

General

Food

Kayaking

eBiking

Personal care

Home & household