Centering my stack

This isn't a new revelation, but I've been reminded this week how important it is for me to define some constraints, especially in fields where options are essentially infinite.

My goal for this year has been to focus on Python. Build as much as I can. Do lots of different shit, but Python, Python, Python. I was staying pretty true to this resolution until last weekend when I came down with a pretty bad cold. I was laying in bed watching YouTube videos, one of which was about bug bounty hunters. I've always had a secret fantasy of being a hacker. To have that level of understanding of a computer in itself sounds incredibly satisfying, but there's also just something exciting about going places that you're not supposed to go. To see that there are professional people who do this for a living was pretty inspiring. So I looked up how to start learning.

Being my year of Python, I grabbed Black Hat Python. The initial set up in the book asks you to install Kali Linux in a VM. Then it has you set up a text editor in the VM. I had the thought that it might be a good time to just start getting good with Vim and use a terminal multiplexer. I know basic Vim commands, but only enough to get me by when I have no other options. So I started looking into tmux, but then realized I hated the color scheme, so looked into Zellij which seemed to be getting a lot of attention. I then spent two days trying to get Zellij set up properly on Kali and on my laptop. Then I decided I should use NeoVim because that's what all the cool programmers use, spent a full day trying to get LazyVim properly installed, then decided to try LunarVim because LazyVim kept getting stuck in the plugin installation, then realized I wanted a different color scheme and spent an hour trying to figure that out. Then realized I'd just wasted a lot of time on bullshit.

So I'm back here to center myself, and center my stack.

I can use Vim Mode with Zed, so I'm going to use Zed and play with Vim there. I already like it as an editor, it's available on all operating systems, why the fuck am I obsessing over other editors?

Zed + Python + HTMX

That's my stack for the year. Throw in some SQLite if you need. Keep it simple, focus on the shit that matters, which is building good shit and writing good code.

Also, what good is a fast cool editor if you can't even write Python for more than 30 seconds without looking shit up or asking Claude for help?