n/essentialsoftware.md: initial commit

Resolves: #194

n/essentialsoftware.md

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+---
+layout: null
+permalink: /n/essentialsoftware.html
+sitemap: false
+---
+
+# Essential software for new systems
+
+This is just a quick personal reference so I don't have to guess.
+
+<!-- START doctoc generated TOC please keep comment here to allow auto update -->
+<!-- DON'T EDIT THIS SECTION, INSTEAD RE-RUN doctoc TO UPDATE -->
+
+- [Security](#security)
+- [Usability](#usability)
+- [Offtopic system configuration](#offtopic-system-configuration)
+  - [Debian-based](#debian-based)
+  - [SSD](#ssd)
+
+<!-- END doctoc generated TOC please keep comment here to allow auto update -->
+
+## Security
+
+- `microcode` - propietary, but otherwise CPU holes are going to be gaping open. Refer to `tail -n +1 /sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/*`
+  - Debian calls this as `amd64-microcode` or `intel-microcode`
+- `ufw` for Deb-based or `firewalld` on Fedora
+- `sshguard` for mitigating shared systems where others refuse to use keys
+- `needrestart` for knowing when updates actually require services to be restarted or a kernel upgrade happens and requires reboot
+- `molly-guard` so you won't accidentally `reboot` or `poweroff` production rather than local machine.
+- `apt-listchanges` changelogs are worth knowing when updating.
+- `apt-listbugs` known bugs are especially nice when performing bigger updates.
+- `chrony` - security demands the time to be correct, Chrony supports NTS and is proper NTP server instead of just SNTP like systemd-timesyncd.
+- `unbound` - my choice for both DNSSEC validating and DNS-over-TLS, even if I had it connect to upstream dns\[crypt\]proxy
+- `unattended-upgrades` or `dnf-automatic` so security updates are at least downloaded if not even directly installed (see configuration and systemd units!)
+
+## Usability
+
+- `nvim git tmux zsh` - good luck without these
+- if cryptographic operations are taking ages, consider something like `haveged`. It's controversial, so if there are no issues, don't install a random number generator.
+- `earlyoom` - may avoid frozen systems, much more pleasant than dealing with a frozen system
+  - remember to `sudo systemctl enable --now earlyoom`
+- `zram-tools` - small compressed swap in RAM
+  - Remember to check configs! Fedora: `/etc/zram.conf`
+  - `sudo systemctl enable --now zramswap.service zram-swap.service`
+- `thermald` for additional help keeping system cool, especially intel
+  - `sudo systemctl enable --now thermald`
+- `vnstat` - help for observing bandwidth usage
+- `yggdrasil` - essential for getting through Carrier Grade NAT whether there is IPv6 or not. Also gives static internal IPv6 reducing need for dynamic DNS.
+- `tlp` - for laptop power management, especially ThinkPad.
+  - `sudo tlp-stat | less`
+  - `sudo systemctl enable --now tlp`
+
+## Offtopic system configuration
+
+This is just too close to not mention here (and was besides in my planning issue):
+
+### Debian-based
+
+- `sudo dpkg-reconfigure console-setup`
+  - ensure UTF-8 and select Terminus
+- `sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration`
+  - compose key
+
+### SSD
+
+- `sudo systemctl enable --now fstrim.timer`
+- check that `/etc/fstab` has `noatime` so every file access isn't written to the disk. BTRFS filesystems should also have `ssd` flag.