new computer

new computer

a migration journal and checklist

Goal

1. Keep track of what it takes to set up a new computer

2. Don't just start reinstalling everything you had. Treat this as an opportunity to simplify, to throw everything out and only add stuff back as you truly need it.

Changelog

1. Set up a new macbook pro in January 2019
2. Wiped and set up same macbook pro April 2020: pretty much the same process. very minor changes.
3. New work computer December 2020
4. New work computer January 2021
5. New work computer November 2022

Journal

Day One

I just got a new computer! This is what I did!

1. keyboard and trackpad: install colemak, remove qwerty, tap to click, caps lock to ctrl. (Change capslock to ctrl again after plugging in external keyboard)

2. Look and feel: dark mode, hide dock, hide menu bar

3. terminal:

   • font-size: 16pt; # not 20 any more 🤓
   • use Option as Meta key (whyyy is this not the default)
   • https://github.com/lysyi3m/macos-terminal-themes
   • patched comic mono in dotfiles repo

4. Packages

   • clone chrisman/dotfiles
   • run install.sh

5. Passwords:

   • download keyfile
   • setup browser plugin

6. Keys: get keys from backup and load em up into keepassxc

7. Firefox plugins: KeepassXC-Browser, UBlock Origin, Vimium C