My 4 Essential Open Source Tools I Use Daily (And You Should Too)
As someone exploring the DevOps world hands-on, I’ve fully embraced the open-source ecosystem in my day-to-day life. No dual boot. No virtual machines. Just me and my Linux-powered setup. And over time, I’ve collected a small set of powerful, open-source tools that I actually use — not because they’re trendy, but because they’ve become part of my workflow, mindset, and daily satisfaction.
This isn’t a generic “Top 10 Tools” list. These are my go-to tools that help me stay focused, organized, and productive — from coding to note-taking to sharing files with friends. Here they are 👇
Ubuntu 24.10 Linux — My Daily Driver
My journey with open-source starts at the very core — my operating system.
I use Ubuntu 24.10 as my only OS. That’s right ! No dual boot, no fallback to Windows, no Virtual Machine, just pure Linux. Everything I do happens here.
Why Ubuntu 24.10?
- Lightweight and distraction-free
- Terminal-native and perfect for DevOps learning
- A powerful ecosystem with great community support
Since switching, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of system internals, learned to be more intentional with my setup, and built better habits around automation and CLI usage.
LocalSend — Airdrop for Everyone (Without Apple)
When I need to transfer lecture notes, project files, or PDFs between devices, LocalSend is my go-to.
It’s a beautifully simple tool — like Airdrop but open source. Just connect your devices to the same Wi-Fi and start sending files instantly.
My Use Case
I send project files between my laptop and phone in seconds with no cloud or messaging platform required. It’s a must-have for open-source enthusiasts and anyone who values privacy-first tools.
Logseq — My Growing Knowledge Graph
Logseq is my second brain. Whenever I’m about to learn a new topic, be it Docker, Java, or even theology, I start by creating a node in Logseq.
From there, I branch out and connect concepts, turning my knowledge into a living graph that keeps expanding as I learn more.
Zen Browser — Focused Browsing, Finally
This one’s a hidden gem. Zen Browser is an open-source browser built on the Firefox engine, but it rethinks the user experience entirely. It’s not just about tabs . It’s about productivity, focus, and a cleaner internet experience.
I use Zen Browser to manage different areas of my life: university, blogging, development, and more — all neatly separated into workspaces. It also allow me to pin the essential tabs that can be used across workspaces!
Features I use daily:
- Zen Mode: for reading articles without distraction
- Split Screen View: compare docs or take notes while reading
- Workspaces: I have tabs for
home,university,development,blog, andwork
Final Thoughts: Why I Stick with Open Source
These tools are more than just productivity hacks. They reflect how I want to live and learn:
- With control over my data
- With tools that respect my freedom
- With a system that grows with me, not against me
Whether you’re a student, developer, or knowledge builder — I hope this list inspires you to try something new and maybe even fall in love with open-source the way I did.
If you’ve got open-source gems you can’t live without, I’d love to hear about them! Do drop them in the comment section!
As I continue my own coding journey, I’ll be sharing more insights, tutorials, and personal experiences. If you found this guide helpful, I’d truly appreciate your support!
Stay Connected!
🔔 Follow me on Medium for more updates on my coding journey and in-depth technical blogs.
💻 Check out my projects on GitHub: github.com/szeyu
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/szeyusim
