Tools, Computer
Info
REV: 2021-05-05
Networking
Modem: TECHNICOLOR, TC4400 (4Gbps, DOCSIS 3.1)
Router: NETGATE, SG-3100 (1Gbps ports, 2.5Gbps throughput)
Wireless Access Point: UBIQUITI, Unifi AC Pro, UAP-AC-PRO (2.4GHz 3x3 450Mbps, 5GHz 3x3 1.3 Gbps, PoE)
Power Bar, Surge Protector: TRIPP LITE, Isobar 6 Ultra
Short Ethernet Cable: STEWART CONNECTOR, CA81-020M-01 (Cat 8.1, 2m, LSZH, RJ45 metal-frame terminations)
Printer: HP, OFFICEJET PRO 9015
SSD Enclosure: STARTECH, M2E1BRU31C (IP67, MIL-STD-810G drop-test, USB 3.1 Gen2 10Gbps)
M.2 enclosures can be assembled into external data-drives for greater capacity, reliability, speed, and modularity than normal USB drives.
USB Drive: SAMSUNG, Bar Plus
Prepared USB Drives
TRANSFER1 (general-purpose) (GPT, FAT)
TRANSFER2 (general-purpose) (GPT, exFAT)
EB1 (quick cold backup) (GPT, EXT4)
MEMTEST86 LINK
CLONEZILLA LINK
DEBIAN
UBUNTU
WINDOWS
Workstation Hardware
CASE: FRACTAL DESIGN, Meshify 2, solid-side-panel (recommended)
Reason: Easy to assemble, highly customizable, fast-access filters. Minor downside, bit heavy at 10kg.
CPU: AMD, Ryzen 5950X (strongly recommended)
Reason: Leading 16-core Workstation CPU at 105W TDP. Good single-core/multi-core performance, power efficiency, ECC support.
GPU: AMD
Reason: Good Linux compatibility.
FAN: NOCTUA, air-cooling (recommended)
Leading performance-noise ratio. We prefer the low-risk zero-maintenance longevity of air-cooling over liquid-cooling.
SSD: SAMSUNG (recommended)
We have a successful 8+ years track record with Samsung SSDs.
PSU: SEASONIC, Prime Fanless Series
We like the efficiency and reliability of fanless designs, especially when supported by 10+ year warranties.
MOUSEPAD: RAZER, Gigantus V2, XXL (410mm x 910mm x 4mm)
Operating System
Primary: DEBIAN
Secondary: WINDOWS
Official download link for the Windows 10 ISO here
We like to install operating-systems on a per-drive basis (instead of multi-OS partitions on the same drive).
Password Manager
We strongly recommend that you use a password-manager that works offline (without internet).
We strongly recommend that you regularly save a copy of your password-database to a back-up system.
Keepass - Free, open-source, good long-term track record. But out-dated, clunky GUI. Recommended.
KeepassXC - Free, open-source, cross-platform, modern GUI with v2.6+. A fork of Keepass with more active development that we are testing.
Document Suite
(RECOMMENDED)
Free, open-source, high-quality, cross-platform alternative to Microsoft Word for producing text documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, basic drawings, and simple databases. Great import/export compatibility for various file formats.
Markdown Text Editor
STANDARD: Ghostwriter
(RECOMMENDED)
We look for 2 major features in an efficient markdown editor:
- Header menu for one-click navigation to internal headers.
- HTML preview for one-click links to external websites.
TEAM CHAT
STANDARD: ZULIP
(STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)
MCAD
STANDARD: Autodesk Inventor
It's good but expensive. The built-in simulation is useful.
WAITING: FreeCAD
Usable but not ready for efficient professional workflows.
ECAD
STANDARD: Kicad
(STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)
We use this for most of our schematic-to-PCB ECAD work. This is a good free, open-source, cross-platform EDA suite sponsored by CERN and increasingly supported by the industry.
Alternatives include:
- Altium
- Cadence (Allegro/Orcad)
- SIEMENS Mentor (PADS/Xpedition)
- Eagle (Autodesk)
IDEs
Atom - Free, simple, customizable integrated development environment (IDE). Developed by Github.
Diagram Editor
Free diagramming tool with emphasis on alignment and node-to-node connections. Use online with the browser app, or download the desktop app.
Vector Graphics Editor
Inkscape - Vector graphics editor. Create or edit logos, line art, infographics, and other line-based images.
Raster Graphics Editor
GIMP - Raster Graphics Editor - Produce, resize, crop, rotate, and retouch your photos and other dot-style image files.
Audio Editor
Audacity - Audio Editor - Record your voice or music, manipulate audio clips for your media library, and import-export different filetypes. Great for handling standard audio tasks like other digital audio workstations (DAWs).
Video Editor
Kdenlive - Video Editor - Simple, robust video editor with primary support for Linux. Free and open source. Renders to numerous standard formats, including WebM and MP4 (AAC/HEVC).
Video Screen Capture
Open Broadcaster Software - Screen Video Capture and Live Streaming Tool - Simple on-screen video recording and live streaming program.
Compression
7-zip - File compression and archival tool.
Torrenting
Transmission - Free, simple torrenting client. Recommended by Wikileaks.
3D Animation and Modeling
Blender - Free and open-source with integrated video editor. Supported by the Blender Foundation.
Digital Illustration
Clip Studio Paint - Popular and effective digital drawing program for illustrations and manga. Formerly named Manga Studio. Use with a drawing tablet.