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Peter Kim Frank
Peter Kim Frank

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What is the first thing you do when setting up a new computer?

When you get a new computer, what are the first things you do? Whether it's:

  • Installing programs
  • Adding shortcuts
  • Disabling certain options
  • Setting up new preferences
  • Etc.

I'm eager to hear what you'd consider the must-do "first steps" for a new machine.

Oldest comments (66)

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madza profile image
Madza
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itachiuchiha profile image
Itachi Uchiha

I install the following in each new installation or computer.

NodeJS
Yarn
.NET Core
PostgreSQL
Redis
VSCode
Insomnia
SQLite Browser
FileZilla

Telegram
Spotify
Notable
Discord App
Liferea (RSS Reader)
Anydesk
Vokoscreen NG (For Screen Recorder)
Flameshot (For Screenshots)

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ntvinhit profile image
Nguyễn Trọng Vĩnh

I have to uninstall Spotify, use Spotify web instead, it takes nearly 30GB space even I disabled offline

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itachiuchiha profile image
Itachi Uchiha

There is no web thing works well in my Ubuntu. I don't know why. But every 10 minutes, I can't open websites on Ubuntu. For example, I tried to visit instagram.com, it wasn't open the first time. I refreshed the page it was open.

So, browser things aren't for me. :P

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ben profile image
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codemouse92 profile image
Jason C. McDonald • Edited

Install and configure Ubuntu MATE atop Pop_OS!, migrate my files, and then install my favorite apps, such as:

  • Nextcloud
  • Evolution
  • Brave
  • LibreOffice (Fresh)
  • Spotify
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Hexchat

...for starters. I've got plenty more I install.

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perigk profile image
Periklis Gkolias

If it is windows, I install chrome and remove Internet explorer/edge.

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coffeecraftcode profile image
Christina Gorton

I go through all the steps to make sure the typical dev environment/tools I use are installed and work.

  • Git
  • Node
  • various CLI's I use
  • Visual Studio Code, etc.

And then, maybe a weird thing, but I choose which browser I want to use and set up and save all of the typical accounts I use like my email, Notion, Github, CodePen, CodeSandox, etc.

I also create collections and add my most commonly used websites to Toby. Like this:
Screeenshot of my Toby set up

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huddlespith profile image
Amy Hudspith

Always start by making any preference adjustments (colour, font size, icon size etc) then start the task of installing all the software I want

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andrewbrown profile image
Andrew Brown 🇨🇦

Install command line tools and homebrew lol

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Nimrod Kramer

I take a deep breath and appreciate the moment 😅
Really... it's singular.

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wicked7000 profile image
Wicked

Run HWMonitor to make sure I didn't screw anything up haha(If I built it)

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sharadcodes profile image
Sharad Raj (He/Him)

Dark theme

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mumingazi profile image
Mumin Gazi

Install chrome, sublime text, node js, Filezilla, and Google keep

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perpetual . education • Edited

Install Alfred.

Get rid of the doc and remove the low-hanging UI (while leaving the settings as stock as possible otherwise)

Set the right-click and two-finger tap to control+click

Download Google drive (back-up and sync)

Set Drive to only sync current projects (all files but git in drive)

Get Brew in place + Curl

download GitTower (git)... Sublime (editor)... Skitch (for markup up screenshots)... Affinity designer (to avoid adobe at first)...

In theory - we can toss our gear in a lake... stop by an apple store - and get back to work in under an hour (that's the goal).

We just bought a new computer - and are documenting the entire process from the perspective of students in our course. We don't install anything - until it's necessary for the class / so, the student sees us also start with a blank slate. We'll share the list in 3 months!

You can also totally write a bash script - that will install everything - in one go!

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peter profile image
Peter Kim Frank

Alfred was one of my first installs today.

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garrett profile image
Garrett / G66

Install VPN.

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Judith

Number one: take screenshot of the applications folder on my old machine

  1. read the system info
  2. change the general theme to my custom contrast theme
  3. all the other stuff as quickly as possible