James Harding

❤️ My Favourite Things

Here is my shortlist of stuff that I really like.

For my total list of things that I use, see my current setup page.

👨‍💻 Software

  1. Firefox for browsing without being the product.
  2. Microsoft To Do for task management and organization.
  3. PyCharm and VSCode for development.
  4. 1 Second Everyday for documenting my life.
  5. Tailscale for making digital-home always feel local.

💻 Hardware

  1. MacBook Pro 16 (M1) for coding on the go.
  2. CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt Dock for coding at home.
  3. Synology DS1621+ for the cloud-free revolution.
  4. Prusa MK3S+ 3D Printer for making useful and less-useful stuff.
  5. Roborock Vacuum because saying “clean the floor” feels like the future still.

⌨️ Keyboards

  1. Evoworks Evo75 (75%) for a premium typing experience with excellent build quality.
  2. Massdrop Alt High Profile (65%) for a compact, customizable board.
  3. KBDcraft “Lilith” (65%) Lego Mechanical Keyboard for combining creativity with functionality.
  4. Das Keyboard 4 Professional (100%) for a reliable full-size workhorse.

🖥️ Self-hosted Software

  1. Home Assistant for home automation control.
  2. Umami for privacy-focused web analytics.
  3. Uptime Kuma for monitoring all my services.
  4. Plex for organizing and streaming my media library.
  5. Vaultwarden for self-hosted password management.

🏠 Physical

  1. Crocheted “Positive Potato” made by Bruna for daily smiles and positivity.
  2. Gozney Dome pizza oven for restaurant-quality pizza at home.
  3. Peloton Bike+ for staying fit without leaving home.
  4. KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Mixer for bread and pizza dough.
  5. Lego Saturn V Rocket for combining space and building joy.

🧳 Travel

  1. Steam Deck for passing time in a boring hotel.
  2. Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack for days exploring abroad.
  3. Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff Hoody for a super-compact but warm jacket.
  4. Briggs & Riley 56cm Carry-On Expandable Suitcase for long and short haul trips.
  5. Amazon Basics Packing Cubes (4-Piece Set) for cheap, durable organisation.

👨‍✈️ Pilot Gear

  1. Bose ProFlight Headset for keeping my ears happy.
  2. ThruNite TC15 Torch for night walk-arounds. Charges via USB-C.
  3. Randolph Aviator Sunglasses for looking out the window.
  4. Rotring 800 Pen for writing, even though flight plans are now digital.
  5. Samsonite Wheeled Case for professional travel.

🎮 Games

  1. Inside for atmospheric puzzle platforming perfection.
  2. Rainbow 6: Siege for tactical team-based multiplayer.
  3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure for pure co-op joy.
  4. Satisfactory for factory-building automation bliss.
  5. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory for stealth gameplay at its finest.

📺 TV Shows

  1. Fargo (Season 1/2 peak)
  2. Breaking Bad
  3. Severance
  4. Slow Horses
  5. Westworld (Season 1 only!)

🍿 Films

  1. Dune: Part 2
  2. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
  3. Whiplash
  4. The Grand Budapest Hotel
  5. Skyfall

🎧 Albums

I am still a bit of a luddite when it comes to music collection: FLAC/MP3 or vinyl for me. I record my vinyl collection on Discogs and use PlexAmp for all other listening.

  1. Black Holes and Revelations - Muse
  2. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
  3. † - Justice
  4. Mr. Robot - Mac Quayle (many volumes, with a few solid tracks on each. Great for programming.)
  5. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac