Setup: Then & Now

Coincidentally, while looking for the sweet setup link in my Sunday Review post this past week, I remembered that I once submitted a "setup" article for it that actually got published (all the way back in 2015). So, if you were at all curious what my setup was way back then, check out the link!

I thought it could be fun to do something of a Then & Now post to compare what I was using then with now. As I read through it, I realized my workflow has changed quite a bit. In some ways I'd say it's matured & in other ways I'm still trying to find my footing. Without further ado though, I'll dive in. To do this, I’m not going to copy everything on the Sweet Setup link - I’m assuming you can open it in a tab or new window. Instead I’ll focus on what my “today” is referencing the old. 

First off, I'll say my bio, socials & website has changed. Check out my about page for more on that though. There is more I could say about that but it's best left for another day.

Current Setup: the physical stuff (Today!)

I use a 13" M1 MacBook Air for everything related to my personal life (and any contract work). For my job I use a 15" M1 MacBook Pro. Dropbox is out and replaced with iCloud+ on the personal side. Headphones are Beats Studio Buds now as well. My bag for my gear is a Mission Workshop Monty that I got in 2016 (and still feels brand new even though it gets daily use and has been in some wild places...I can't speak highly enough of these messenger bags). My phone is an iPhone 14 Pro for personal stuff & a Pixel 6a for work.

the mac software stuff (Today!)

 I still use Mailmate for email (it really is the best). I don't do nearly as much design & graphic work though so just use the bland iWork & MS Office tools as needed. I still have Pixelmator to pull up if I need it (but that power is rarely necessary).

For writing & notes Obsidian is my goto. It currently also handles tasks (although I'd like that to change). Document management is now handled by Devonthink as well.

I mention Logos as an ideal part in that setup as well. I did end up getting a version and using it a lot (still have it actually) but like how Accordance functions on the Mac & iPhone a better. 

the iphone software stuff (today!)

I'm not using the 4 apps in the first paragraph anymore. Two of them no longer exist (as far as I know). Overcast I might go back to - I'm currently trying Mimir as I wanted something with a bit more depth organization wise. For audio AppleMusic is the winner. For books, I'm just using the Kindle app at the moment (would LOVE a Gerty/Marvin replacement though - they haven't seen updates since 2017).

Devonthink2go handles document management. Obsidian covers my text/note needs. And Afterlight covers my photo editing needs these days.

Other than that, Mona gets use for Mastodon. Hello Weather for my weather needs. Lungy helps my breathing and keeps me sane and AnyLog tracks my (almost) daily workouts.

Also - most messaging is done in Signal now.

I think this about covers it! I hope the comparison is interesting (or at least that the updated setup is!).