Welcome to We Use, a page were we list some of the products that we use and recommend wholeheartedly.

Note: Some of the links posted in this guide are affiliate links. This means that we get paid if you make a purchase. The fact has not influenced our decision to list hardware, software or services on this page.

We do list why we use a program, device or service and assure you that we have not added products to the page simply for monetization purposes.

With that out of the way, lets begin. The list is divided into the three product categories software, hardware and services for ease of access.

Software

The following list contains software programs that we use on a daily basis. Not all of the programs are paid applications. We have limited the list to programs that we use a lot.

Firefox - The main advantage of Firefox over other browsers is that it gives you more control over the browser interface and customizations in general. There is also NoScript available exclusively for the browser, our favorite browser add-on of all time.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro - This is one of the best security programs available for Windows currently.

QuiteRSS - RSS Reader of choice. It is only available for Windows but excellent in all aspects.

Sandboxie - This is a sandboxing solution for Windows that is very handy for software testers and other purposes. Run any application in a sandbox to protect the underlying system from its actions. Check out our Sandboxie review for detailed information.

Thunderbird - Thunderbird is a desktop email client that gives you full control over your emails. Not only are they stored locally, it is also highly customizable and supports add-ons just like Firefox does.

Windows 10 -- I write mainly about Windows 10 and need to use the operating system on a daily basis to test things and follow development closely.

Office Professional 2016 - While there are plenty of other options available, OpenOffice or one of the online solutions, it is Microsoft Office that is most widely used in offices and at home.

PicPick -- We switched from SnagIt to the free PicPick for all our screenshot capturing needs. It offers similar functionality but is free to use.

Services

Kinsta hosting -- Kinsta is a managed WordPress hosting service that uses Google Cloud Servers and the latest and greatest in technologies to make WordPress blogs blazing fast.

KeyCDN -- our new content distribution network offers great value for the money. Locations all over the world, HTTPS support, and a lot of advanced features such as HTTP2.

Cloudflare -- we had to enable Cloudflare some time ago to fight off a DDOS attack against the site. It adds a protective level to the site.

PureVPNNordVPN and Private Internet Access - Virtual Private Network providers offering unlimited data transfer and server switches, 256-bit data encryption and a comprehensive range of supported protocols, and features.

Usenet Provider - We have been using Giganews for a long time but switched to UsenetBucket some time ago. The core reason for this is price. UsenetBucket accounts start at less than $4 per month for unlimited (but capped to 10Mbit) traffic. Read our full UsenetBucket review here.

Hardware

Logitech G930 Wireless Headset - While listed as a gaming headset, this wireless headset can be used for regular activities as well. It is comfortable to wear even after hours of wearing it straight and should last a work day without having to connect it to the station to recharge its battery. Read the full G930 review here.

Nokia 5 -- I switched to the Nokia 5 from using Xiamoi devices, and the main reason for that was that Nokia pushes out security updates more quickly. It is a decent phone but you should not expect it to be among the top 5 in regards to performance, screen, or camera. Still, it costs a fraction of the price of a major Samsung, Apple or Google phone and does all I need it to do.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 -- I needed a new laptop for traveling, something light but still powerful enough and with a good keyboard. The Surface Pro 4 delivers that and more.

Old Stuff

Windows 7 - There are still plenty of opportunities to purchase the Windows 7 operating system. While you may not find PCs installed with the system anymore, retailers like Amazon and eBay still carry the system.

Snagit - Snagit is a screen capture software that we use to take screenshots of programs. We are not using the latest version though but version 10 of it as it offers everything we need. Check out our Snagit review for additional information.

Motorola?? Moto G - Fed up with expensive flagship phones that would not receive Android version updates in time or at all, I (Martin) made the decision to get a cheaper phone that would get updates earlier. Since I'm not gaming on the phone or using other resource-intensive apps, I don't notice the slower processor at all. I highly recommend the 16 Gigabyte version though as you cannot expand storage. Read my full Moto G review here.

Xiaomi Mi4c - I replaced the Motorola Moto G with the Xiaomi Mi4C. It is a flagship phone for half the price. It offers great battery life, enough storage, good screen, good camera, and all the features that I need including easy unlocking and rooting.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 -- replaced the Xiaomi Mi 4C smartphone in 2017. It is a bargain phone that offers great battery live and functionality.