This post is my entry for this month's IndieWeb Carnival on Tools, hosted by James.
As a species, our creativity knows no bounds. Tools have been integral to our existence since the Stone Age, and possibly even earlier. Over the centuries, the definition of tools has evolved. Most definitions, however, remain somewhat flexible regarding the physical nature of an object, be it a hammer or a pen. Eventually, tools were categorized into types: cutting, moving, shaping, measuring, and so on. Our digital tools fall under the information and data manipulation category, where infinite possibilities abound. I have always been inclined to create my own tools or manipulate existing ones to suit my needs. This is what draws me to technology: the perpetual quest to make tasks less mundane. Consequently, my tools are always evolving.
Before I learned to code, I crafted many tools with what I had, primarily using sheets, especially Google Sheets. I experimented extensively with them until I began learning Java. With Java, I started building small tools to aid my learning process.
Reading Tracker
One such tool is my reading tracking app, which I built from scratch. It took me a whole year to develop, and now I am tempted to rebuild it in PHP instead of Java. However, my loyalty to my hard work holds me back. Do I really want to let go of something that took a year to build? Crafting my own tools is a deeply engaging hobby. The app is built on Java Spring Boot as a REST API, and I also developed a companion app using Java and Spring Boot Web for the front end. The front end uses Thymeleaf as the template engine, but I now want to switch to something more dynamic like VueJS. For now, the app fulfills its purpose. The API is named Confetti Cloud (Confetti because it's bits of everything I want, and Cloud signifies its online nature) and the app is called "imReading," after a hashtag I used on social media. You can see the project page here and the API page here. Although many reading trackers exist, none catered to my desire for a focus on reading journaling rather than just numbers and statistics. Goodreads, in particular, felt too bloated to enjoy the experience.
Obsidian and Notebook
Another tool I developed is an online notebook in PHP based on Markdown. It is simple yet unique due to the custom tags I created for better navigation. I use both past and present tense here because I am in the process of merging it with Obsidian via Git. However, Obsidian uses a different tag implementation, which I am still investigating. Currently, all tags show as headers in the browser. I need to delve into the documentation to see what adjustments are required. My goal is to access my notes everywhere. While I can use Git on my phone and personal laptop, I cannot on my work laptop and home computer (and I prefer not to).
When it comes to writing, I am flexible. I use whatever suits my thoughts at the moment. For instance, I am editing this post and adding it on Obsidian, while larger essays are composed in Google Docs. For simpler tasks, I often use Notepad++ with custom settings (key binds, colors, plugins). I tried NeoVim, but the muscle memory did not develop quickly enough for me to enjoy it. I am not in a hurry; I want to enjoy the process. If I need to edit extensively, Notepad++ with macros and familiar key binds serves me well.
Coding
For coding, I use IntelliJ Community and Visual Studio Code. I also code extensively on my phone, whether waiting in lines, lying in bed, or just relaxing. This is mostly PHP and HTML, as Java does not translate well to mobile coding yet. I might need to revisit this. I use two apps for mobile coding: File Manager + and Code Editor. Together, they get the job done without the need for SSH or frequent Git operations. Just load the file, edit, and upload.
My Ultimate Tool
My ultimate tool, however, is my Lamy Studio Aquamarine fountain pen with a fine nib. I write all my posts with it before using PenToPrint to digitize and edit them on the computer. This pen allows my thoughts to flow naturally and effortlessly. It is one of my most cherished possessions and enables me to write with ease and joy.
