Hardware

My primary computer is an original MacBook with 2Gb of RAM and an upgraded Seagate 160Gb hard drive (best investment I ever made). I also have a Dell desktop that runs Linux (Debian distribution) that acts as a “backup” (more below), web, and VPN server. I use Mac OS X 99% of the time, but I have Boot Camp so I can see “instant view” movies on Netflix and for the occasional application I want.

Backup and Syncronization

All of my documents (meaning law school notes, outlines, spreadsheets, PDFs, etc.) are stored (and backed up) in a Subversion repository. Subversion is a source code management tool that stores all of the files on central server but also lets you have a local copy. It’s great for backup because it keeps every revision of the file, and each incremental backup is lightning fast (usually < 10 seconds). I can also access my files off of the Web from any computer (which makes printing at school much easier). But I don’t need to connected to the Internet to edit my files. Subversion deals with any potential conflicts when the files were changed in two different locations.

Everything else in my home directory is backed up to my desktop using rsync (a UNIX synchronization utility that comes with OS X), and then everything on my desktop is periodically backed up to Amazon’s S3 Service. I’m a bit paranoid, but I wanted an off-site backup for things like irreplaceable pictures.

I wanted to be able to access my address book and calendar on the Internet but also synced with iCal, Thunderbird and OS X’s address book. So I use the free Plaxo service, which syncs all of that and my calendar to Google Calendar. Plaxo has a bit of a bad name for “pulsing” people asking them to sign up or update their info, but I just don’t use that part and I love it.

Notes and Information Management

I use MindManager 6 Mac for outlining papers, organization of research, brain storming, etc. The Mac version is very easy to use, but its export to Microsoft Word function is not very pretty (the Windows version exports amazingly nice files).

For the past year I used OmniOutliner for all of my notes and outlines. I’m now testing using Curio to see if I like it more. I tried Circus Ponies Notebook, but didn’t care for it.

I live by Quicksilver and PathFinder (a file explorer program thats very robust). I hated previous version of Mail, so I used Thunderbird, but the new version of Mail is growing on me. I’m testing Mail Tags. I also bought OmniFocus, which I now love for all of my school assignments.

Other Applications

  • Firefox Plugin: FoxyProxy - Lets you quickly change proxy settings between school / normal
  • Firefox Plugin: FoxMarks - Store and synchronize your bookmarks across multiple computers
  • Skim for reading and annotating PDFs
  • Adium for IMs
  • Flip4Mac to play WMVs (with no DRM) in QuickTime
  • Perian for everything else in QuickTime
  • OnyX for maintenance and customization of OS X