Who are you, and what do you do?
I'm Zach Beane. I work on Common Lisp and homestead projects. My most popular project is Quicklisp, a library manager for Common Lisp.
What hardware do you use?
For working with Common Lisp, I use a 2016 13" MacBook Pro, sometimes with an external 27" 4K monitor. For building Quicklisp I have a homebuilt Linux server with lots of memory and a fast SSD running virtual machines.
For homestead projects, I use a John Deere 1070 tractor with some attachments: a Fransgård V-4000 logging winch, a Valby/Normet CH150 wood chipper, a John Deere Model 3 wood splitter, a Land Pride RTR1872 rotary mower, a Bush Hog FM72 flail mower, and a Tartan/CountyLine rototiller. I make lumber and other sawn wood products with a Thomas 6013 bandsaw mill. I fell trees and buck logs with a Husqvarna 365 chainsaw. Sometimes I use a smaller 435 for lighter jobs or as backup.
And what software?
I've used the same core software for many years: GNU Emacs, a web browser (currently Safari), and xterm. These translate pretty well to any environment, but I've used Mac laptops for 20 years so I run them on Mac.
When writing Common Lisp code I use the SBCL implementation of Common Lisp. It produces fast machine code and has a big community of users and is actively developed. I deploy most of my Lisp code on Debian Linux servers, fronted by nginx proxies and static asset servers.
For Quicklisp hosting and distribution I use AWS S3 and CloudFront.
I used Wunderlist for a few years for todo list tracking, but Microsoft bought it and turned it into Microsoft To Do, so now I use that.
Within Emacs, I use SLIME and ParEdit for writing Lisp. I'd like to try SLY as a replacement to SLIME but haven't been able to commit the time to switching. I take notes with Org mode but I feel like I'm only scratching the surface of its functionality. I manage checkouts with Magit.
I keep various seasonal journals in Google Docs - tracking my goals and progress for firewood management, orchard management, and maple syrup production.
What would be your dream setup?
I really like my current setup and I'm blessed with a lot of nice tools and toys. So all this stuff is certainly dream territory, not stuff I truly need. With that said...
Computer hardware wishlist:
- Newer, faster laptop
- Rack of quiet, fast Linux servers
Software wishlist:
- xterm 7x14 font with emojis and better glyph coverage in general and XQuartz that understands multiple displays OR
- iTerm2 that exactly replicates xterm (then I could ditch XQuartz/xterm) without constant little missing parts that trip me up
- Multiple profile support in Safari (the one thing I miss from Chrome)
- Tight Common Lisp/Mac interaction and integration that compares to the old MCL capabilities or Symbolics systems; not merely nostalgic emulation but supporting modern, native-style applications that are Lispy all the way down. Maybe it's not possible...
Homestead hardware wishlist:
- Bigger tractor - something in the 50-60HP range like a 4052M
- Smaller tractor for cultivation like a Farmall Cub
- Mini-excavator for digging and ditching
- Newer Husqvarna saw in the 70cc class - something like the 572 XP
- Fancier sawmill with hydraulics and a trailer package, like a Wood-Mizer LT35
- A big barn to store everything under cover