This post contains the various resources I use as a software engineer and writer.
NOTE: This page is outdated. I’m currently putting together an updated resource list.
Disclosure: You should know that some of the links in this article are affiliate links and that I will earn a commission if you end up using the services. There is no additional cost for you so it’s a good way to say thanks if you enjoy my articles ;)
Interview with Paysa
Checkout my interview with Paysa on making the most of a career in Software Engineering!
Gear
My mobile workstation: I love my Macbook Pro Retina 13. Why 13 inches? For me, it’s the best size to move it around while being able to put it on a desk and plug an external screen.
My home workstation: Custom-built computer that I originally put together for gaming. I stopped playing games a few months later so I reconverted it to a Hackintosh. That wasn’t easy but it was totally worth it. I love having access to the command line and Photoshop on the same machine. Plus it’s more powerful than most iMac for a third of the price so I can still run most available games.
Reader: iPad mini. I love its size and its weight. I can bring it anywhere with me and do all my reading on it. That goes from reading Science-Fiction (Foundation, Dune, …) to Fantasy (The Farseer Trilogy, Game of Thrones, …) to work-related books (Ruby, Publishing and so on).
I’m also an avid reader of manga and comic books. The iPad feels that need too. The Marvel app and the Marvel unlimited programs are amazing!
I’m still using an iPhone 5S but I might switch to Android someday… ;)
Programming
I’ve been trying to switch to Vim for a long time but I always end up back with Sublime Text. I simply love it!
I dislike the default terminal included with OS X so I use iTerm 2 instead. (Solarized theme, zsh, oh-my-zsh)
Writing
I also do all my writing in Sublime Text. I mostly write in Markdown so I just have to install the MarkdownEditing plugin and it turns Sublime Text into an awesome text writer. The distraction free mode is also amazing to get stuff done. Super useful for me who likes to delay the writing part as long as possible!
To put together ebooks or PDF from my Markdown writing, I use the Softcover gem. It’s an incredible tool. I also had to pick up a bit of LaTeX to format the generated PDFs the way I wanted.
Research
I use Pocket and Evernote extensively to organize my notes and the things I want to read. I have so many things in Evernote now that I couldn’t stop using it even if I wanted to!
Hosting
Devblast is hosted on a VPS from Digital Ocean. Great hosting company with great prices. Originally, it was on Arvixe which I’m still using for other websites and project.
Blog
Samurails (Devblast’s predecessor) was, like one third of the Internet, running on Wordpress. Yikes PHP, I know. But it’s an awesome platform to use as long as you don’t have to dig in the code… Anyway, let’s stay on the great platform part. I’m actually using a free theme from Colorlib named Sparkling but I’ve been thinking of switching to one of the ‘Elegant Themes’ themes. I’m already a paying user (only $69 per year for 87 themes!!) and I love having this huge library to pick from when I want to create a new website for myself or for my friends. The plugins are also super cool and I started to use some of them on Samurails (like the cool-looking sharing sidebar).
Payment Platforms
That part is mostly about Modular Rails and how I receive the money when someone buys the book. First, I picked Gumroad to handle the selling process because of their clean and easy checkout experience. Then I receive the funds in Payoneer and transfer the money to a bank account outside of the United States.
Music
I always listen to music when I’m coding (with Spotify). It helps me focus and cut the ambient noise from interfering with my thinking. I don’t have a specific taste in music and I listen to a wide range of styles. Most of them are rock or alternative rock. I really enjoy listening to Imagine Dragons, Fall Out Boy, Queen, The Script and Linkin Park (from the teenage years x)).
Books
I quickly talked about it earlier, but here’s the list of books I love or that I’m currently reading. Speaking of books, don’t forget to checkout my book Modular Rails!
Want more?
If I forgot something or if you want me to add something about another topic, just let me know in the comments ;)
