Update: This page is horrendously out of date. I now work exclusively on Linux. I have a Lenovo R60 and no desktop. My brother now has my sweet monitors! I consciously seek out open-source software whenever possible. I currently only use 1 proprietary application because I’m unable to find a suitable open-source alternative. That alternative will be found in time! - Callum @ Sep 2007
I’m always curious to see what technology people are using, so I thought I’d start the ball rolling by creating a summary of the technology I use here. It’ll no doubt be neglected for ages, then developed in bursts, so keep an eye open for updates…
Please note all links on this page will open in new windows (target=_new).
Computing
My primary computer is a custom built AMD Athlon 1800 with 512Mb of RAM and a 40Gb and 120Gb hard drives. The hard drives are incredibly noisy and supplemented by an external USB / Firewire IcyBox containing a Samsung SP2014N super quiet 200Gb hard drive. I have a second but less used (and soon to be sold) Maxtor 40Gb USB hard drive.
My graphics card is the Matrox Millenium P650 and I run dual Philips 17″ digital flat panels mounted on a free standing dual monitor arm from 2iQ.co.uk. This is the most beautiful part of the whole setup, dual 1280 x 1024, 17″, digital, tft monitors. They’re jet black, and downright beastly!
I use a tablet for all meetings, the HP TC1100, Pentium M 1GHz, 512Mb RAM, 40Gb hard drive. I’m about to go travelling and take only this machine, so I’m considering at least a memory upgrade if not a hard drive upgrade as well.
My PDA / mobile is the Treo 600 on Orange. The Treo is a delicious bit of kit, it was a real step to a unified technological existence I can tell you! Finally I only have one single address book, for people in my mobile, people in my email list, or people in my postal address book. Unification at its most glorious!
On the Treo I use the DateBK application to replace the in-built diary. I use a great little program called TAKEphONE v6 to handle my address book lookups and calls, it’s way more powerful at searching my some 1800+ contacts than the standard phone app. I use the great little apps Butler and Technician both from Hobbyist Software.
Software
For business documents, presentations, spreadsheets, etc, I use Microsoft Office XP. I’m considering switching to OpenOffice, but haven’t started evaluating it yet. I do a lot of mind mapping, if you haven’t discovered it, check out Tony Buzan’s book. If you have discovered mind mapping, you’ve got to try it on the computer. My main package is MindGenius but I also use MindManager X5 for tablet pen based mind mapping. Another must have for the tablet pc user is Microsoft OneNote, part of the office suite.
My web browser is, of course, FireFox. I have added a barrage of extensions to suit my needs from TabBrowser Preferences to Web Developer. I’m looking forward to the next major release of FireFox to allow greater control over cookies.
My SSH client of choice is putty for its small size, no installation requirement, and usability. Combined with some of the other putty programs for key management it makes SSH server administration a breeze.
My web site runs on WordPress and my photo gallery is currently running on CopperMine although I’m not completely satisfied with it. I’d ideally like to have one integrated application which manages my blog, photo gallery, static pages, and other content.
My anti-virus program is AVG from GriSoft. Great virus software, dead easy to use, and they offer a free version for purely personal purposes, what more could you ask for?
My HTML editor is Dreamweaver complimented by Fireworks and Flash all from Macromedia. I have used Photoshop and do keep a copy installed, but find Fireworks easier for knocking up quick GIFS or JPEGs for web sites. I use Photoshop for editing photographs.
I use a load of other software but can’t list everything here. If there’s anything you think I’ve missed, let me know.
Photography
My camera is the Nikon D70s chosen for its super fast startup time and impressive continous shoot speed, it whips the ass of the Canon EOS-300D on that front. I use a Sandisk Ultra II 2Gb Compfact Flash card for its lightning quick read / write times and incredible data throughput speeds. I can shoot over 580 photos at maximum JPEG size and quality or over 350 on Nikon RAW format.
My primary (and currently only) lens is the Sigma 18-125mm DC lens designed specificially for digital SLRs. I chose this lens for its flexibility in a single lens. The standard Nikon kits includes a 18-70mm lens, while the Sigma gives me almost twice that range in a single package with the same apeture across the range. I read extensive reviews of the camera and the lens on dpreview and was comfortable with the quality.
I’m in the process of choosing an external flash and infra-red remote control, so I’ll post more on those as I get them. I use a monopod and mini tripod, I don’t currently have a full-size tripod although I would consider getting one if it had a detachable monopod and was light enough.
That gives you a flavour of my technical preferences, any questions, just ask.
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