Looks to be the case. Windows Explorer, while pretty functional, still doesn't offer everything which I'm after as a browser, though it'll have to suffice.

I'm afraid I'd be unaware of a web-based tool which may satisfy what you're after. A few basic features are always welcome, however if you're electing to use something which will have clients access as well, then it becomes a tad more complex with permissions and whatnot.

Here's what I've set up at the moment with Start.

I've got a NAS running just stock Windows 10, with the OS on a tiny SSD and storage on a RAID1+0 setup. This can be accessed via my local network or remotely courtesy of a static IP. I'd consider having everything on a remote server instead, however due to Australia's network infrastructure this would not be a viable option at the moment. I've got Bvckup 2 running in the background to automate my backups, and once a month upload significant files to my web server and Amazon Glacier.

As far as file structure is concerned, I've implemented something remarkably similar to Area 17.

This setup enables for a standard file explorer to access and manage files regardless of device, and is not dependent on a third-party service.

On my local device, I use Windows Explorer, Bridge, and Live Photo Gallery. This is not an ideal solution for my needs, but it works in the interim. For macOS, I'd use Pathfinder. Files are provided tags for allocation with certain projects or for reference in the future.

I'm glad you raised the question of DAM, and I do share some similar sentiment as well on the matter.

There is little-to-no support for editable fields with an embedded typeface within PDF.

There are automated processes you can use with Illustrator for such a thing which you can trigger with a script. There's a window in Illustrator labelled Variables to assist with such a thing.

Personally in situations like this I just export the artwork into InDesign and allow that to manage the variables instead. It's saved myself a great deal of effort. Changes the entire thing into a two-minute job from opening, apply the variable, export as a production-ready artwork, and bam. Send off to the printer and await for a delivery.

Adobe Illustrator + Bloks plugin is pretty neato for quick mockups. Photoshop for pixel-accurate renders.

Invision's Craft is no longer available or supported on Windows.

With due respect, you're mostly right there. Microsoft's new Modern is based on Metro and holds many similar values, however they are both well and truly different, much in the same way of OS X's original aesthetic and UI compared to what is presently available.

Interaction-wise, Modern holds the consideration that the device the user has may be a phone, a tablet, a laptop, or a desktop, all of which have different means of interacting with the device. It would be wrong to refer to Metro when working on something for Windows 10, and heck, you may as well save yourself the trouble and make it for Windows 10 in mind.

In my experience, university, at least in Western Australia, is a terrible waste of time for studying design, but the best possible thing you could do for networking. I never did formally study design; rather, my education has been done entirely at my own pace and in my own way.

I got my start through a job posting for someone to make business cards. It was the worst job I've ever taken on, but a hell of a lesson was learned from it. I've since been freelancing on the side of my day job.

Anyway, I'd like to share some resources for you: If you can afford it, sign up for AGDA. The network there may be able to help you, however UI work would make you something of an outlier. Perhaps a stint at a Startup Weekend event may help you out. Subscribe to Aus Design Radio. It's a lovely podcast. Same for For The People. Both are by guys in Sydney.

I've been with OneNote since 2007? Obviously not for everyone, but it's been the best tool for myself.

Dell U2713H. Expensive but one of the best investments I had ever made.

Yeah. It's crazy how busy and amazing the industry is over east. However, I'm not exactly in a decent financial situation to be able to pack everything up and move. Otherwise I'd have tried that long ago.

Still, thank you immensely, Zaki.