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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 updated on May 2, 2024

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
  • ConvertKit – the email newsletter service I use for this site
  • 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 “fancy” cameras
  • Nikkor 24-200 f/4-6.3 kit lens
  • Nikkor 24-50 f/4-6.3 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
  • 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