Derek Sivers

LG DualUp MonitorHardware LG

LG DualUp vertical monitor ♥

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Keychron Q3Hardware Keychron

Keychron Q3 keyboard with Kailh Midnight Pro silent switches ♥

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

RatpoisonSoftware

Ratpoison wm ♥ st terminal

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Fight ClubOther

Fight Club: I liked it the first time years ago, but watching a second time when you already know the end reveal? Elevates it from good to great. So many brilliant details in the screenplay.

2026-05-21·x.com ↗

Waste BooksBook Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Tweets from 1765-1799 by a 4’9” hunchback physicist, friends with Goethe and Kant, admired by Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, etc. Such wonderful random thoughts, beautiful perspectives on thinking for yourself, observing nature, language, freedom, philosophy, religion, and more. Hundreds of initial insights, especially inspiring because they’re undeveloped.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2025-09-03·sive.rs ↗

rsyncSoftware

Then use free and lovely rsync to synchronize: rsync -av --delete desktop:/home/me /home/

A how-to for keeping a Mac laptop and a Linux/BSD desktop sharing one /home directory.

2024-08-31·sive.rs ↗

You Can Negotiate AnythingBook Herb Cohen

Everything is negotiable. Challenge authority. You have the power in any situation. This is how to realize it and use it. A must-read classic from 1980 from a master negotiator. My notes here aren’t enough because the little book is filled with so many memorable stories — examples of great day-to-day moments of negotiation that will stick in your head for when you need them. (I especially loved…

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-08-02·sive.rs ↗

The Listening BookBook W.A. Mathieu

Everyone should read this book of little essays about listening. It teaches your ears to pay more attention. It calls your attention to sounds you hadn’t noticed. It’s beautifully written, and makes your life better. I read it twice, 24 years ago, and reading it again this week, it was even better than I remembered.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2021-09-03·sive.rs ↗

The Courage to Be DislikedBook Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler - a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activities to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the…

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2018-07-25·sive.rs ↗

Sum: Forty Tales from the AfterlivesBook David Eagleman

Awesomely creative think-piece. 40 very short fictional stories about what happens when you die. The framework is inspiring for anyone: coming up with 40 different answers to any one question. But they’re also just brilliant ideas and powerful little fables. I just read it a 2nd time and love it even more now.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2017-09-27·sive.rs ↗

The Gardener and the CarpenterBook Alison Gopnik

Great philosophy of parenting, from a grandmother who is a wise professor of philosophy and a developmental psychologist. Such a beautiful mindset and outlook. Required reading for every parent. Re-read it often as a necessary reminder.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-08-10·sive.rs ↗

Playful ParentingBook Lawrence Cohen

I’ve read many books on parenting, but this one is the best. It’s genius. My top recommendation for everyone with a kid age 1-13. Its point is that children communicate through play. So, to reach them: play! Anything can be done through play: teaching, emotional connection, processing difficult situations, and even discipline can be made playful. Read the whole book instead of just my notes, si…

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-06-05·sive.rs ↗

On Writing WellBook William Zinsser

Great blunt advice about writing better non-fiction. So inspiring.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2015-08-01·sive.rs ↗

The War of ArtBook Steven Pressfield

Have you experienced a vision of the person you might become, the work you could accomplish, the realized being you were meant to be? Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what “Resistance” is. This book is about that. Read it.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2012-01-05·sive.rs ↗

Stumbling on HappinessBook Daniel Gilbert

Not at all new-agey, as the title might suggest. Harvard professor of psychology has studied happiness for years, and shares factual findings that will change the way you look at the world.

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2007-07-11·sive.rs ↗

E-Myth RevisitedBook Michael Gerber

Absolutely everyone who is an entrepreneur or wants to be one needs to read this book. I first read it after 10 years of successfully running my company, and was still blown away and totally humbled by its wisdom. Re-reading it today, I'm amazed how my view of business was completely changed by this one little book. See my notes for examples, but definitely read the book itself to get the real…

Rated 10/10 on his public book-notes list.

2004-02-26·sive.rs ↗

You’re Not ListeningBook Kate Murphy

Being a great listener when people speak. Deep insights about understanding, connection, helping people express themselves, overcoming assumptions, the ethics of gossip, and more. Specific techniques for the support response, encouraging elaboration, and keeping it balanced. You can’t be ethical without being a good listener. When people say, “I can’t talk right now,” what they really mean is “…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2026-02-25·sive.rs ↗

The Invention of the Jewish PeopleBook Shlomo Sand

Fascinating subject. Countries are made of stories. Kings didn’t need their subjects to agree, but nations do. So to build a nation, they need to make a story that helps people feel a shared identity, nationalism, and what distinguishes them from their neighbors. Back-creating a history. Founders of Israel did this brilliantly.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2024-10-10·sive.rs ↗

Between Us: How Cultures Create EmotionsBook Batja Mesquita

Cultural psychology, studying emotions through the lens of culture. Your emotions are created by your culture. You should not be too sure that you share the emotional experiences of individuals from other cultures. Culture and emotion make each other up. Great insights!

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2024-04-05·sive.rs ↗

China’s World ViewBook David Daokui Li

Senior academic advisor to the Chinese Communist Party feels most political tensions come from a misunderstanding of China’s world view, hence the subtitle “demystifying to prevent global conflict”, and his intrinsic desire to explain. I love its insights and historical context, especially around “Respect-centered diplomacy” and how the CCP is structured.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2024-03-10·sive.rs ↗

ArabsBook Tim Mackintosh-Smith

3000 years of factual Arab history, and personal insights from this Oxford Brit who lived in Yemen for 37 years, translates classical Arabic, and clearly cares a lot. Huge and thorough but really wonderful for those with the interest. I loved his writing style and poetic asides. Read my notes here for a taste. What a great book.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2024-02-03·sive.rs ↗

The Vagabond’s WayBook Rolf Potts

Best travel book I’ve ever read! Shook my soul many times. Tiny “daily meditation” format, with lots of quotes from others, but wow what wonderful insights. They make me yearn to travel again. Love love love these ideas and perspectives so much.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-11-15·sive.rs ↗

Finite and Infinite GamesBook James P. Carse

So abstract. Maybe the most abstract book you’ll ever read. Compares “finite” games with rules and winners, versus “infinite” games without winners where we can play with the game itself. Is it about a job versus a calling? Religion versus spirituality? A story versus story-telling? Who knows. Thought-provoking if you can apply the metaphor to whatever concerns you.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-10-10·sive.rs ↗

How Minds ChangeBook David McRaney

The psychology of how and why we believe. How we learn and change. The craft of doubt and persuasion. Insights into the social definition of truth. Epistemology. Certainty is a feeling not based on facts. Well-written with a nice balance of story-telling and deeper dives.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-07-30·sive.rs ↗

How Religion EvolvedBook Robin Dunbar

Great anthropology! So many insights into religions, tribes, friendships, organizations, the evolution of minds, superstition, and more. Got me thinking most about friendships.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-07-20·sive.rs ↗

Nothing & EverythingBook Val N. Tine

I love this book so much. It's the joy of nihilism. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. I agree completely. I would give it a 10-out-of-10 rating but I disliked the whole second half of the book. So just read the first half. See my notes here. If you like my book “Useful Not True”, you should read this.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-06-22·sive.rs ↗

You Look Like a Thing and I Love YouBook Janelle Shane

A funny book explaining the basics of AI! The subtitle is How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place. A great introduction to AI. With a cute cartoon mascot. The title is from her training an AI to write romantic greeting cards.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-06-18·sive.rs ↗

City of Gold: DubaiBook Jim Krane

So well-written! Absolutely fascinating history of Dubai. An exciting page-turner. It gave me so much admiration for the city and its visionaries.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-06-17·sive.rs ↗

The Righteous MindBook Jonathan Haidt

Brilliant insights into human nature. Moral reasoning, inventing victims, emotional reactions, the elephant (emotions) and its rider (explanations). Intuition reacts then logic confabulates a reason. Survival of the fittest applied to groups. Understanding religion and tradition. Great from start to finish.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2023-05-28·sive.rs ↗

Write Useful BooksBook Rob Fitzpatrick

How to write a non-fiction book so useful to people that they recommend it to others. A great step-by-step methodology from someone experienced, who’s done it successfully a few times already.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2022-09-25·sive.rs ↗

Wild ProblemsBook Russ Roberts

How to improve your HUGE major life decisions, like whether/who to marry, whether to have kids, where to live, career paths, and such — where you can’t use the usual checklist/data approach. This economist addresses self-identity, “deepest self”, and “something I was meant to do”. You can’t use a pro/con checklist with an item that says “lose respect for myself”.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2022-09-12·sive.rs ↗

Relationship HandbookBook George Pransky

Best philosophy of love relationships I’ve ever found. Like meditation teaches you that moods pass, this experienced marriage counselor says this applies to relationship communication as well. When angry or insecure, don’t vent, don’t share that. Let the feeling pass. Your anger doesn’t reveal some real truth. Everyone in a romantic relationship should read this.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2022-08-16·sive.rs ↗

Awaken the Giant WithinBook Tony Robbins

This 1992 book changed everything about my life. It’s my Bible. Most of my beliefs come from it. I read it many times at a formative age, but re-read it now 30 years later, taking notes. It’s not a perfect book. It’s too verbose and full of expired American references. But its core messages are the wisest, most effective life philosophy I’ve ever encountered. You choose how you feel. Your emoti…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2022-06-22·sive.rs ↗

How Buildings LearnBook Stewart Brand

I’ve read this book three times since 1999, and gifted it many times to others. It’s changed the way I look at buildings. I read it again now because I’m building a new house. Its main idea is that all buildings are predictions, and all predictions are wrong, so design to make them easy to change. I think of it metaphorically in life: assuming my predictions about what I want will probably be w…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2021-08-02·sive.rs ↗

Getting Things DoneBook David Allen

Classic book with near-cult following. How to manage every last itty bitty tiny thing in your life. Keep your inbox empty. Re-read 16 years later. Still great.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2021-04-30·sive.rs ↗

Several Short Sentences About WritingBook Verlyn Klinkenborg

The 2nd-best and most-radical book about great writing. It tells you to focus entirely on the sentence, an approach that was already my favorite, which is why I bought this book. It recommends you boldly eliminate transitions and conjunctions, split compound sentences, don't save your point for the end, and revise by deleting. This is the first book I've seen printed as one sentence per line —…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2021-03-28·sive.rs ↗

Skin in the GameBook Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Taleb is always filled with surprising ideas and confrontational bragging. Ignore the hot air and gather the gems. Great thoughts around putting your ass on the line with consequences — not just thinking things in theory but doing things in reality — in the real world.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2020-08-15·sive.rs ↗

This Is MarketingBook Seth Godin

A must-read for every entrepreneur. A holistic, generous, human, emotional, long-term, story-driven approach to your business. The world would be a much better place if businesses were led this way. You'll have a competitive advantage if you do this, since so few do.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2019-08-02·sive.rs ↗

Atomic HabitsBook James Clear

I was doubtful, but everyone kept telling me it’s awesome, so I reluctantly read it. Holy crap! It’s GREAT! Feels like the definitive masterpiece on the subject of how to make good habits and break bad ones. Very focused on helping you take action. Very relatable and inspiring.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2018-12-29·sive.rs ↗

Thinking in BetsBook Annie Duke

Amazing point: Would your belief in something stand up to the question, “Wanna bet?” If you had to gamble significant money on that belief, would you still feel 100% about it? Or maybe more honestly 60%? This creates healthy skepticism encouraging you to seek the best information instead of just defending your belief. Now objective accuracy wins instead of argument. Combine with “The Biggest Bl…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2018-06-02·sive.rs ↗

12 Rules for LifeBook Jordan Peterson

A unique thinker with strong opinions presented as indisputable fact. More surprisingly interesting ideas than almost any book I've ever read. Extremely thoughtful, but occasionally abruptly concludes with an unsupported point. It has a conservative “this is how it is” certainty. It’s a broad collection of thoughtful insights on life, mixed with a lot of Bible interpretation.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2018-04-10·sive.rs ↗

SapiensBook Yuval Noah Harari

I resisted reading this popular history of mankind, because it came out when I had just finished “Guns, Germs, and Steel” and “Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches”, on the same subject. But wow - this book is at its best when the author is sharing his personal perspective about binding myths, humanism, and other ways that “truths” are not true. And you get an interesting history of the world along wi…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2017-08-15·sive.rs ↗

HappyBook Derren Brown

Brilliant and profound yet totally entertaining philosophy book by one of my favorite people. Gives an approachable overview of past philosophies and shows how they apply to your life today better than the harmful pop-self-help-positivity stuff. Amazing perspectives on desires, death, relationships, anger, and how being present doesn’t matter as much as the story you tell yourself afterwards. H…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2017-03-05·sive.rs ↗

Au Contraire: Figuring Out the FrenchBook Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron

The absolute best book I've ever found on explaining the mindset of a country. (Runner-up is “Watching the English” by Kate Fox.) I wish every country had a book this deep. Not just what but why! Also appreciate the bold writing, skipping caveats.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-10-11·sive.rs ↗

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a FuckBook Mark Manson

The opposite of every other book. Don’t try. Give up. Be wrong. Lower your standards. Stop believing in yourself. Follow the pain. And oh yeah, kill yourself. Each point is profoundly true, useful, and more powerful than the usual positivity. Succinct but surprisingly deep, I read it in one night, then read it again a month later.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-09-26·sive.rs ↗

Ego Is the EnemyBook Ryan Holiday

Forget yourself and focus on the work. Be humble and persistent. Value discipline and results, not passion and confidence. Be lesser, do more. This message is crucial, but the opposite of almost every other book. I wish everyone would read this. I need to re-read it each year. It's that important. It's easy to read this and say “oh yeah I've got my ego under control”, but the problem is deeper…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-08-01·sive.rs ↗

Too Soon Old, Too Late SmartBook Gordon Livingston

Powerful and profound life lessons from a psychiatrist who's been listening to people's problems for decades.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-04-26·sive.rs ↗

Cows, Pigs, Wars, and WitchesBook Marvin Harris

Mind-blowing anthropology. Great argument that the reasons that religions worship cows or hate pigs, that tribes wage wars, or Europe's 200 years of witch hunts, are all very practical economic reasons usually unknown to the participants or washed out of history. But they're revealed here in zoomed-out hindsight. My notes here can't describe it. You have to read the whole book. Riveting.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2016-02-19·sive.rs ↗

The Entrepreneur Roller CoasterBook Darren Hardy

Rar! My heart rate is racing as I tear through this riveting book. Darren captures and spreads the entrepreneurial spirit better than anyone I know. I've been a successful entrepreneur for 25 years but The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster just got me more excited and enlightened than I've been in a long time. You must read and USE this immediately!

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2015-08-01·sive.rs ↗

The Wisdom of No EscapeBook Pema Chödrön

Powerful thoughts on not running, distracting, or escaping, but sticking with something all the way through.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2015-04-16·sive.rs ↗

When Things Fall ApartBook Pema Chödrön

Profound philosophy on facing the negative emotions head-on and getting to know them well, instead of trying to avoid them or escape.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2014-11-30·sive.rs ↗

The Compound EffectBook Darren Hardy

Classic self-help book, in the best sense. Inspired the hell out of me. Mostly fundamentals I had heard before, but put in a very energetic go-do-it way. As he says, “You already know all that you need to succeed. You don’t need to learn anything more. If all we needed was more information, everyone with an Internet connection would live in a mansion, have abs of steel, and be blissfully happy.”

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2014-07-17·sive.rs ↗

When Cultures CollideBook Richard D. Lewis

Masterpiece of cultural observations. I wish there were more books like this. My Wood Egg books were created with the same goal. Insights into different countries' cultures. Some amazing, like the reason for American's lack of manners, or Japanese procedures. My detailed notes don't do it justice because I practically underlined the entire book, I loved it so much.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2014-07-16·sive.rs ↗

AntifragileBook Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Bold perspectives, unusual ideas, and surprisingly wise advice around an interesting subject of the “opposite of fragile.” Looking through that lens at health, education, governments, business, and life philosophy. Very inspiring, and sparks a lot of further discussion.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2013-05-15·sive.rs ↗

The Willpower InstinctBook Kelly McGonigal

Amazing book about willpower from Stanford psychology professor who teaches just this. Killer first point: The best way to improve your self-control is to see how and why you lose control. This is a better book than the other book on Willpower here on my list, because it's more actionable, better written, better presented. Really amazing (IF you act on it!)

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2013-02-05·sive.rs ↗

Turning ProBook Steven Pressfield

In the same vein as his other books “Do the Work” and ”War of Art” - but a message that needs to be said again and again to really get through. It's all about the resistance, avoiding distractions, getting serious. Here he dives more into the mindset shift of thinking of your art as a hobby versus a real career. This stuff shakes me to the core, every time.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2012-10-25·sive.rs ↗

QuietBook Susan Cain

Any introvert should like this book. Wonderful info and insights about introversion. It'll help you defend your preference for low-stimulus environments. Since reading it, I feel better about insisting on my quiet/alone time.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2012-09-22·sive.rs ↗

Brain Rules for BabyBook John Medina

My single favorite baby book: written by a neuroscientist, about babies’ brain development from pregnancy to children. Single best book for soon-to-be parents to read. I didn’t want kids until I read it, then it actually got me excited about the process. I’ve recommended it more than a hundred times.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2011-11-11·sive.rs ↗

Do the WorkBook Steven Pressfield

A true manifesto. A call to action. A kick in the butt for any creative person. Great thoughts on overcoming the resistance to creating.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2011-10-25·sive.rs ↗

What Got You Here Won’t Get You ThereBook Marshall Goldsmith

Aimed at already-successful people. The personality traits that brought you to success (personal discipline, saying yes to everything, over-confidence) are the same traits that hold you back from going further! (Where you need to listen to lead, and don't let over-confidence make you over-commit.) Stinging counter-intuitive insights that hit very close to home for me. Great specific suggestions…

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2011-08-22·sive.rs ↗

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic JoyBook William Irvine

Almost too personal for me to give an objective review, because I found when reading it that the quirky philosophy I've been living my life by since 17 matches up exactly with a 2000-year-old philosophy called Stoicism. Mine was self-developed haphazardly, so it was fascinating to read the refined developed original. Really resonated.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2010-09-26·sive.rs ↗

SwitchBook Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Great great great great GREAT psychology book about real ways to make change last - both personal and organizational. So many powerful insights, based on fact not theory. Inspiring counterintuitive stories of huge organizational change against all odds. Highly recommended for everyone.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2010-05-10·sive.rs ↗

The Happiness HypothesisBook Jonathan Haidt

Psychology professor's digestible but deep insight into how our minds work, around the topic of happiness. Great metaphor of a rider on the back of an elephant. Rider is reasoning, elephant is emotions. Rider has limited control of what the elephant does. Surprising insights into ethics and morality. See my notes for great quotes, but read the whole well-written book.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2010-05-01·sive.rs ↗

InfluenceBook Robert Cialdini

Classic book on the psychology of persuasion. I read it 15 years ago, thought about it ever since, and re-read it now. How to get a 700% improvement in volunteers. How to sell more by doubling your prices. How to make people feel they made a choice, when really you made it for them.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2009-08-15·sive.rs ↗

The Time ParadoxBook Philip Zimbardo and John Boyd

Profound idea that everyone has a primary time focus, either Future-focused, Present-focused, or Past-focused. Fascinating implications of each. Because I’m so future-focused, reading this book helped me understand people who are very present-focused. Also great advice on shifting your focus when needed. I read it 14 years ago, but still think about it constantly.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2009-04-03·sive.rs ↗

How to Get RichBook Felix Dennis

Shockingly honest thoughts from a filthy rich bastard.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2008-06-18·sive.rs ↗

The 4-Hour Work WeekBook Tim Ferriss

Brilliant reversal of all of the “how to manage all your crap” books. This one tells you how to say “no” to the crap, set expectations on your terms, and be just as effective in a fraction of the time.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2008-05-15·sive.rs ↗

The Smartest Investment Book You’ll Ever ReadBook Daniel R. Solin

An itty-bitty quick-read no-fluff book with the wisest succinct advice to investors: You can't predict the future, and neither can anyone else. Determine your asset allocation, stick with cheap broad indexes, and rebalance occasionally.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2008-05-14·sive.rs ↗

The Paradox of Choice - Why More is LessBook Barry Schwartz

Faced with many options or decisions in your life? This will change the way you look at them. We feel worse when we have too many options.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2007-07-11·sive.rs ↗

The Art of ProfitabilityBook Adrian Slywotzky

25 different models of profitability presented in examples you can relate to your own business, making you realize profit-sources you’d never thought of before.

Rated 9/10 on his public book-notes list.

2005-12-02·sive.rs ↗

OpenBSDSoftware

But if you’re experienced, like to “look under the hood”, and prefer software that does the minimum necessary, OpenBSD is for you.

An article arguing why OpenBSD is the operating system he chose, and who else should try it.

2018-04-20·sive.rs ↗

uBlock OriginSoftware Raymond Hill

Install uBlock Origin in Firefox and Chrome.

His undated evergreen "Tech Independence" guide to running your own server, website and email; first archived by the Wayback Machine 2023-04-21.

sive.rs ↗

FastmailService Fastmail

Or if you don’t want to run your own email server, use Mailbox.org or Fastmail but only by using your own domain name.

His undated evergreen "Tech Independence" guide to running your own server, website and email; first archived by the Wayback Machine 2023-04-21.

sive.rs ↗

Mailbox.orgService

Or if you don’t want to run your own email server, use Mailbox.org or Fastmail but only by using your own domain name.

His undated evergreen "Tech Independence" guide to running your own server, website and email; first archived by the Wayback Machine 2023-04-21.

sive.rs ↗

Onyx Boox Go 6Hardware Onyx

Onyx Boox Go 6 ebook reader

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

StudioBricks One PlusHardware StudioBricks

Studiobricks One Plus sound-proof recording booth

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

AT5040Hardware Audio-Technica

AT5040 microphone

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Focal BathysHardware Focal

Focal Bathys headphones

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Kensington Expert MouseHardware Kensington

Kensington Expert Mouse since 1995

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Pixel 10Hardware Google

Pixel 10 phone running GrapheneOS

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

GrapheneOSSoftware

Pixel 10 phone running GrapheneOS

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Surly PreambleHardware Surly

Surly Preamble bicycle, modded electric

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Void LinuxSoftware

Void Linux on my desktop

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

NginxSoftware

Nginx web server

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

OpenSMTPDSoftware

OpenSMTPD email server

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

RadicaleSoftware

Radicale to privately self-host my contacts and calendar, synced to my phone

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

FirefoxSoftware Mozilla

Firefox browser with uBlock Origin and Link Hints

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

mpvSoftware

Everything but Firefox in the terminal, so command-line tools like mutt for email, ffmpeg and mpv for audio/video, mupdf for ebooks, and ssh everywhere.

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

SkritterSoftware

Skritter and Wenlin for learning Chinese.

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

VultrService

Vultr basic $10/month public server

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

Bunny CDNService

Bunny CDN for m.sive.rs media files

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

NetimService

Netim domain registrar

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

KagiService

Kagi for ad-free spam-free search

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

OpenRouterService

OpenRouter via llm in the terminal

His public "what I use" page listing the hardware, software and services he actually runs; a ♥ marks the ones he singles out. Page states "Last update: 2026-06-07".

2026-06-07·sive.rs ↗

ZFS.rentService

$10/month for zfs.rent + €10/month for Hetzner.

His backup routine post; this line is his own reply in the comments, pricing the two remote storage services he rents.

2024-02-27·sive.rs ↗

Hetzner Storage BoxService Hetzner

$10/month for zfs.rent + €10/month for Hetzner.

His backup routine post; this line is his own reply in the comments, pricing the two remote storage services he rents.

2024-02-27·sive.rs ↗