Hello whiny.lol

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+title: What software do I use?
+date: 2025-10-24
+modified: 2026-01-31
+description: Showing the software I use on a typical day
+categories:
+- Technology
+---
+
+Since switching to Mac nearly two years ago, I'm honestly surprised I've never compiled a list of my favourite Mac apps I use on a daily basis. So, here you go!
+
+## Zen Browser
+
+[Download Zen](https://zen-browser.app) - Available on macOS, Windows & Linux
+
+> To-do: add new image
+
+Zen Browser is a fork of Firefox that recreates the UI and functionality of the [Arc](https://arc.net) browser from BCNY. Unlike Arc, Zen is open-source and won't be discontinued out of nowhere [in favour of an AI browser](https://diabrowser.com)...
+
+I've been using Firefox and Firefox-based for years, as it's pretty fast & supports older MV2 extensions like the full uBlock Origin.
+
+## VSCodium
+
+[Download VSCodium](https://vscodium.com/#install) - Available on macOS, Windows & Linux
+
+> To-do: add new image
+
+{{< note title="Update - January 31, 2026" >}}
+I recently switched back to VSCodium after using Zed for roughly 7 months. Zed's auto complete and extension system just do not cut it for me.
+{{< /note >}}
+
+VSCodium is a freely-licensed version of Visual Studio Code that removes Microsoft's built-in telemetry, AI features and existing marketplace.
+
+## Affinity
+
+[Get Affinity](https://affinity.studio) - Available on macOS, Windows & soon iPadOS
+
+![A screenshot of Affinity in Vector mode. There's a toolbar on top for switching personas and other options, a sidebar for tools on the left and another on the right with a colour picker and the document's layers. The file being edited is the cover of this post, a buck teeth nerd emoji with glasses sitting on top of a blurry Apple logo with a black background.](images/NewAffinity.jpg)
+
+{{< note >}}
+Canva launched a new version of [Affinity](https://affinity.studio) on October 30th, 2025.
+
+It combines the features of Designer, Photo and Publisher into one **free** application. Login is required and optional AI features are available with a subscription.
+{{< /note >}}
+
+I use Affinity for designing stuff like logos and the cover images for this website.
+
+I'm not a graphic designer, but it's something I hope to learn in the future.
+
+## Ableton Live 12 Suite
+
+[Get Ableton Live 12 Suite](https://ableton.com/en/live) - Available on macOS & Windows
+
+> To-do: add new image
+
+I have used a "LEGITIMATELY OBTAINED" copy of Ableton Live as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for all of my music since 2021.
+
+I have no shame in obtaining my DAW and plugins through other means, they're quite expensive.
+
+I use primarily the Serum 2 synthesiser, various Waves plugins, a few FabFilter plugins and some Kilohearts plugins on my tracks.
+
+If anyone's interested, a typical vocal chain of mine currently includes (in no particular order):
+
+- Ableton's built in Gate effect
+- FabFilter Pro Q3/Q4
+- FabFilter DS
+- FabFilter Saturn 2
+- Waves Tune Real-Time from Waves
+- CLA-76 and/or CLA-2A from Waves
+- Slate Digital Fresh Air
+- Manny Marroquin Distortion from Waves
+
+I find both FL Studio and Logic Pro to be too complicated.
+
+## Mail (Apple)
+
+[Learn more](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Mail) - Available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and visionOS
+
+> To-do: add new image
+
+There's not much to say about this one. Apple's Mail app on desktop does the job for me and so does the mobile version.
+
+I've never felt the need for any of those paid apps like Notion Mail or Superhuman.
+
+It also supports the Custom Email Domain feature with iCloud+, which I for this website's domain and a few others.
+
+## KeePassXC
+
+[Get KeePassXC](https://keepassxc.org/) - Available on macOS, Windows & Linux, with an official browser extension and other third-party KeePass apps available
+
+![A screenshot of KeePassXC password manager. There's a toolbar at the top with various options and a search bar, along with a sidebar for navigation. Passkeys are being viewed. The majority of the items have been edited out, leaving most of the app blank.](images/KeePassXC.jpg "Can't exactly show you very much")
+
+Using KeePassXC, I moved all of my passwords and passkeys to a KDBX database, rather than relying on iCloud or Firefox Sync to store my passwords.
+
+Databases are encrypted and require a password + key file to unlock.
+
+I sync those two files between multiple devices using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net) between my laptop, phone and PC.