#tech setup

HUION H640P tablet for drawing and OSU!

Finally got this Huion tablet and it's so smooth! The 8192 pressure sensitivity feels amazing for drawing, plus the shortcut keys are super handy. Also works with Android for notes on the go. Definitely worth checking out! Link in bio.

How to Build a Balanced Creator Gear Setup Without Overspending

Building a creator gear setup can be exciting, but it can also become expensive quickly. Cameras, lenses, laptops, lighting, microphones, storage drives, tripods, and accessories all have a place in a good workflow. The challenge is knowing what to buy first and what can wait until later.

A balanced setup is better than spending your entire budget on one expensive item. For example, a great camera can still produce weak results if the lighting is poor. A powerful laptop can still feel limited if you do not have enough storage. A sharp lens may not help much if your audio quality is bad for video work. The goal is to choose gear that works together.

Start by thinking about the type of content or work you create most often. A photographer may need a reliable camera body, one or two useful lenses, memory cards, batteries, and an external drive for backups. A video creator may need lighting, audio gear, a tripod, and enough computer power for editing. A remote worker or student may benefit more from a laptop stand, external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and USB-C hub.

Your camera does not always need to be the newest model. Many modern cameras are already capable of producing high-quality photos and videos. Instead of chasing the latest release, focus on features you will actually use. Autofocus, low-light performance, lens compatibility, battery life, and video options are more important than simply buying the most expensive camera available.

Lenses are often a smarter long-term investment than camera bodies. A good lens can improve image quality, background blur, and low-light performance. If you are starting out, one flexible everyday lens may be enough. Later, you can add a portrait lens, wide-angle lens, macro lens, or telephoto lens depending on your work.

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to improve photos and videos. Natural light is useful, but it is not always consistent. A small LED panel, softbox, or ring light can make your images look cleaner and more professional. Good lighting is especially important for product photography, portraits, video calls, and social media content.

Audio is another area that beginners sometimes ignore. If you create videos, interviews, tutorials, or online content, clear sound matters. A simple external microphone can often sound much better than the built-in microphone on a camera, phone, or laptop. Viewers may forgive average video quality, but poor audio can make content harder to watch.

A reliable computer setup is also important. If you edit photos or videos, choose a computer with enough memory, storage, and processing power for your software. You do not always need the highest-end machine, but you should avoid buying something that will slow you down after a few months. A good display, enough ports, and fast external storage can make creative work much easier.

Storage and backups should be part of every setup. Photos, videos, documents, and client files can take up a lot of space. An external SSD is useful for active projects, while cloud storage or another backup drive can protect important files. Losing work because of poor backup habits can be more expensive than buying storage early.

Used or pre-owned gear can also help stretch your budget. Cameras, lenses, tripods, lights, and accessories are often available used at lower prices. When buying used, check the condition carefully, look for return options, and make sure the item includes the accessories you need. A carefully chosen used item can be a smart upgrade.

The best creator setup is not built overnight. Start with the essentials, learn what slows you down, and upgrade one piece at a time. A balanced setup should help you work more comfortably, create better results, and stay organized without wasting money on gear you do not need.

How to Build a Simple Home Tech Setup for Work and Creativity

A good home tech setup does not need to be complicated or expensive. The goal is to create a workspace that helps you stay comfortable, organized, and focused. Whether you work from home, study online, edit photos, create videos, or manage client projects, the right setup can make everyday tasks much easier.

The first thing to think about is your main device. For many people, this will be a laptop because it is portable and flexible. A laptop can work well for writing, browsing, video calls, photo editing, and general productivity. If you do more demanding work, such as video editing or design, choose a laptop with enough memory, storage, and processing power to handle your software smoothly.

A monitor can be one of the best upgrades for a home setup. A larger screen gives you more space to work, compare files, edit photos, view timelines, or keep multiple windows open at the same time. Even a basic external monitor can make a laptop feel much more comfortable for long work sessions.

A keyboard and mouse are also helpful. Using a laptop keyboard all day can feel cramped, especially if your laptop is sitting flat on the desk. A separate keyboard and mouse allow you to position your hands more naturally. This can make typing, editing, and browsing more comfortable.

A laptop stand is another simple upgrade that can improve your posture. Raising the laptop screen closer to eye level helps reduce neck strain. When combined with an external keyboard and mouse, a laptop stand can make a small desk setup feel more professional and easier to use.

Good lighting is important, especially if you join video calls or create content. Natural light is helpful, but it is not always available. A desk lamp, small LED panel, or ring light can make your face clearer on calls and improve the look of photos or videos. Better lighting can also make the workspace feel more comfortable.

Audio quality matters too. If you attend meetings, record voice notes, edit videos, or listen to music while working, a good pair of headphones or earbuds can be useful. For clearer calls or recordings, a dedicated microphone can sound better than the built-in microphone on a laptop.

Storage should not be ignored. If you work with important documents, photos, or videos, it is smart to have a backup system. An external SSD can help store project files and keep your laptop from filling up too quickly. Cloud storage can also be useful, especially if you need to access files from different devices.

Cable management can make a big difference in how your setup feels. A messy desk can be distracting, while a clean setup feels easier to use. Simple cable clips, ties, and organizers can keep chargers, USB-C cables, and power cords under control.

You do not need to buy everything at once. Start with the items that solve your biggest problems. If your screen feels too small, get a monitor. If your laptop storage is full, get an external SSD. If your desk feels messy, improve cable management. Small upgrades can build into a better setup over time.

The best home tech setup is one that fits your daily routine. It should be comfortable, reliable, and easy to maintain. With the right mix of devices and accessories, your workspace can support both productivity and creativity without feeling overwhelming.

The ultimate late-night coding aesthetic. 💻✨ Who else loves this neon vibe? It took me forever to find the perfect color balance for this setup.

If you've spent any time gaming online with friends, you already know the pain. Rubberbanding into a wall during a boss fight, the server crashing right after a massive loot drop, or dealing with power-tripping admins who ban you for playing the game "wrong."

Relying on peer-to-peer (P2P) hosting or spotty public servers is a recipe for a bad time.

I’ve been building, breaking, and fixing server-side architectures for over a decade. Setting up your own dedicated server gives you absolute control. But before you go out and buy a massive rig to run your Minecraft realm or ARK cluster, we need to clear up a massive industry myth.

The Hardware Reality Check You do not need a high-end graphics card to run a server. Game servers process math, player coordinates, and physics—they don't render graphics.

If you are setting up a rig, here is the hardware you actually need to care about:

CPU: Single-core performance is king. Look for high clock speeds (3.0 GHz+).

RAM: 16GB is the absolute minimum standard today for modded games. Modded maps will chew through RAM like crazy.

Storage (SSD/NVMe): Never run a game server on a mechanical hard drive (HDD). World saves will cause massive lag spikes.

Network: Download speed doesn't matter; upload speed does. You need roughly 1 to 2 Mbps of upload speed per player.

The Setup Process (Linux, SteamCMD, and Ports) To actually get your server online, you have to navigate a few hurdles. You'll want to use Linux (it's the industry standard and pushes 100% of your hardware power to the game, unlike Windows). You'll use a tool called SteamCMD to pull the raw server files from Valve, and you'll have to configure Port Forwarding on your router so your friends can actually connect.

Want to build it yourself? I don't want to flood your dashboard with massive walls of command-line code and bash scripts. If you want to spin up your own instance today, I published the complete, step-by-step technical tutorial over on my main blog.

The Problem With Traditional Echo Hub Setup Let’s be honest; the standard Amazon Echo Hub setup isn’t ideal for everyone. The bulky power adapter and trailing cables can quickly turn your meticulously organized smart home into a tangled mess. I was in the same boat, finishing my basement and eager to integrate all my Zigbee and Thread devices with the Echo ecosystem. While aesthetically pleasing…