Computer Workstation
REV: 2020-09-04
Operating System
PRIMARY: DEBIAN
SECONDARY: WINDOWS
We like to install operating-systems on a per-drive basis (instead of multiple OS partitions on the same drive).
SSD
We've used consumer-grade SAMSUNG drives for over 8 years with success.
Recommendation: SAMSUNG, 970 PRO, 1TB (PCIE Gen3 x4 NVMe, M.2-2280-KeyM)
Interested: SAMSUNG, 980 PRO, 1TB (PCIE Gen4 x4 NVMe)
We use M.2 enclosures to assemble external data drives with greater capacity, reliability, speed, and modularity than normal USB drives.
Testing: STARTECH, M2E1BRU31C
Power Supply
We prefer high-reliability and fanless designs. SEASONIC is a proven source with 12-year warranties.
Testing: SEASONIC, Prime Series
CPU
Interested: AMD, Ryzen 4000 Series
Case
We like durable, easy-to-assemble, light-weight, compact-volume, compatible. We like passive-cooling but accept current limits for high-power designs.
Testing: FRACTAL DESIGN, Define 7 Compact, All Solid Panels
USB Drive
USB drives are versatile.
- Device-to-Device File Transfer
- Live OS Installation
- Full Small-Disk Backup
Recommendation: SAMSUNG, Bar Plus
We use a dedicated case for storing USB drives.
Recommendation: NANUK, 903
Mouse Pad
Testing: RAZER, Gigantus V2, XXL (410mm x 910mm x 4mm)
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
Libreoffice - Free, open-source, high-quality, cross-platform alternative to Microsoft Word for producing text documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, and basic drawings. Great import/export compatibility for various file formats.
Text Editor
Atom - Free, simple, customizable integrated development environment (IDE). Developed by Github.
RETEXT - Markdown editor with live preview.
Team Chat
Diagram Editor
Draw.io - 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.
Accounting
MCAD
Based on valid concerns expressed in this forum thread, we are considering alternatives such as Solid Edge (SIEMENS) or BricsCAD (Hexagon).
FreeCAD is accessible and basically functional, but we consider the featureset and UI/UX limiting for professional workflows.
ECAD
Kicad 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 such as with the Digikey Kicad Library.
Industry-standard alternatives include:
- Altium
- Cadence (Allegro/Orcad)
- SIEMENS Mentor (PADS/Xpedition)