Recommendations you can check.
Software engineer in Chicago; writes the cassidoo.co blog and a weekly developer newsletter, and works in developer experience.
14 things
XteinkHardware
I recently got an Xteink and it is a really cute little e-reader device! I thought I'd try hacking around on it, and it's been fun to tweak.
A post about hacking custom firmware and wallpapers onto her Xteink e-reader.
2026-07-06·cassidoo.co ↗
CrossPoint ReaderSoftware
The most popular custom firmware for The Xteink is called CrossPoint Reader, which is fully open source and really great.
A post about hacking custom firmware and wallpapers onto her Xteink e-reader.
2026-07-06·cassidoo.co ↗
CodePen RadioPodcast CodePen
CodePen Radio: This one was gone for YEARS and then they came back and I am so happy they did.
A Blogvent post listing the short set of podcasts she keeps up with in 2025.
2025-12-12·cassidoo.co ↗
Good Hang with Amy PoehlerPodcast Amy Poehler
Good Hang with Amy Poehler: I think this is a wildly popular one now for a reason, it's very fun and I just love how it's chill and mostly comedians hanging out.
A Blogvent post listing the short set of podcasts she keeps up with in 2025.
2025-12-12·cassidoo.co ↗
OvercommittedPodcast
Overcommitted: Put simply, thoughtful tech conversations from thoughtful tech people. I'm biased towards this one because it's run by some coworkers, but they are awesome coworkers and it's fun and interesting!
A Blogvent post listing the short set of podcasts she keeps up with in 2025.
2025-12-12·cassidoo.co ↗
GitHub PodcastPodcast GitHub
GitHub Podcast: Another biased one because it's my place of work, BUT it's still good!
A Blogvent post listing the short set of podcasts she keeps up with in 2025.
2025-12-12·cassidoo.co ↗
VeggieTales PodcastPodcast
VeggieTales Podcast: Okay this is more for my children than me, but it's a good one for talking about how it's important to be "nice" and stuff (what a concept), and it's been great on roadtrips to visit family!
A Blogvent post listing the short set of podcasts she keeps up with in 2025.
2025-12-12·cassidoo.co ↗
Tombow MONO mechanical pencilHardware Tombow
Tombow MONO mechanical pencil
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
Uni Kurutoga Standard mechanical pencilHardware Uni
Uni Kurutoga Standard mechanical pencil
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
OHTO MS01 all-metal drafting pencilHardware OHTO
OHTO MS01 all-metal drafting pencil
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
Kakimori aluminum ballpoint penHardware Kakimori
Kakimori aluminum ballpoint pen
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
LAMY Safari fountain penHardware LAMY
LAMY Safari fountain pen (specifically the Pikachu one!)
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
LAMY Pico ballpoint penHardware LAMY
LAMY Pico ballpoint pen
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
Sharpie S-Gel penHardware Sharpie
Sharpie S-Gel pen
A Blogvent post on becoming a "minor writing utensil snob"; she introduces the list as the pens and pencils she is using now and closes "I have really enjoyed them!".
2024-12-17·cassidoo.co ↗
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The verdict is what they actually said: loved and liked are explicit; recommended means they told others to get it; uses means they only say they use it; read is a book on their public shelf with no verdict; mixed and disliked are kept too.
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The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is for its kind of thing.
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