Things I Like

Apple Products

I find Windows to be annoying, janky spyware. Apple’s systems are built upon an S-tier Unix foundation with which I can accomplish nearly any computing task in an unobtrusive way. Linux has come to be excellent and in many ways can match the stability and usability of Apple products, and like a computing cousin, I have the utmost respect for the Linux community.

What initially drew me to Apple’s products was the stability of the system and elegance of the design. Steve Jobs knew the importance of everything from kernel extensions to font aliasing. Apple was the product of the union of elite engineering and design craft.

These days, what entices me to remain in the admittedly tall walled garden is the ecosystem which, with the same hallmark unobtrusiveness as macOS, permeates my entire life. It breaks the traditionally thick barrier between devices in such a way that I can reliably manage my digital life. The lines between digital and physical are blurred without compromising control, security, or privacy. For non-cult members this probably sounds ridiculous, but if you know, you know.

Apple is not immune to criticism; it practices planned obsolescence, is hostile to self-service, and charges higher prices than its competitors. All companies are made up of people and all people are fallible. Yet in spite of these imperfections, Apple has been able to maintain a level of quality which makes living and breathing its ecosystem not only bearable, but a pleasure.

LG 45 Inch Ultrawide (LG 45GX)

This is not only the best monitor I’ve ever used, it’s one of the best screens I’ve seen laid my eyes on. The picture quality can only accurately be described as “delicious.” The screen is nearly so large as to be physically impractical which means an unmatched level of screen real estate. The size means a high resolution can be used without sacrificing legibility of text. The pixel density means the best of both worlds: A metric ton of pixels with crispness comparable to a HiDPI screen.

The monitor is excellent for gaming and productivity. In gaming, it is breathtakingly immersive. In productivity, it is roomy; a dynamic command center view of applications simultaneously.

Ubiquiti Products

Ubiquiti primarily makes networking equipment and they’re darn good at it. If Apple made networking equipment (well, if Apple still made networking equipment), it would be similar to Ubiquiti’s. The hardware design is only topped by the software. Lobotomizing my smart TV can be done in two clicks; setting up a VPN server is hardly three more clicks.

Many times, what is good for business is good for the home. Ideas and products tend to trickle down from business to home use. Ubiquiti executes this mindset perfectly. Prior to entering this particular cult, I wasn’t sure it was possible to love a router. Now I know was I was missing before.