Use the app Brokada 5 or the paid one Brokada 6. I use the free version, tells you if an app has trackers and what they are, blocks bad ones.

For android, try out Metrolist, found using f-droid with IzzyOnDroid repos added. On Linux, I use FreeTube for videos/subscriptions on both Linux and android. AudioTube on Linux for music from Youtube.

True, it is the nature of fediverse and the like. I keep waiting for the for-profit proprietary options to collapse, the gov’ts impose draconian measures making it so heinous for users that they seek out decentralized options.

Peertube open source and most importantly decentralized.

LOL, did they? It wouldn’t surprise me. I remember there was some internal in-fighting going down, someone got accused of stealing funds, buying a personal laptop. Drama aside, it is a dangerous Arch derivative that is highly promoted, especially for newbies. Sad.

I NEVER recommend Manjaro. They hold back packages for “security/stability” reasons which is antithetical to Arch’s structure. This can cause stability issues (happened to me) and even breaking your system.

I would recommend Arch, EndeavourOS or Garuda (awesome KDE gaming ed,) and a lot of peeps like CachyOS, mostly for their customized kernels/CPU optimizations. You can get CachyOS kernels inside of Garuda as well.

VPN (always) and QBittorent. After starting your VPN, go into the Preferences > advanced settings> Optional IP to bind to > pull down the menu and find your current VPN’s IP address and select it. Protected, even if your VPN goes down. You can add torrent search engines to QBittorent under the Search feature.

I only use YouTube for normie subscriptions, the ones that don’t challenge the oligarch status quo. I use alternative (add blocking) viewers, SmartTube on Firestick, Freetube on PC/phone/tablet. For content creators that push the mainstream narrative, I use Rumble. I hate the adds though, and you can use AdGuard DNS and such to block them, I haven’t had the time to set that up. Rumble at least allows free speech, non-censorship, which is most important to me. Google is a YUGE censorship hound, and Youtube is no exception.

I installed it using Lutris under Arch, no issues and looks fantastic. I haven’t played much yet, created my character mostly. I had to let the shaders do their thing with initial setup, so we will see if I get any stutter in the open world.

P/S, just checked Nexus Mods and there is already 900+ mods for Oblivion Remastered? I may have to spend some time modding.

Don’t you xKill my PRECIOUS!

That is what I use. Doesn’t it have the best translation to/fro Micro$oft, especially with Excel?

Sounds like you are new to linux? I always recommend newbies start out with Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Ubuntu has a good installer with scripts that detect hardware, particularly older or fringe (wifi, etc) hardware. Is it the best? Not in my opinion, but you want your laptop to work and educate yourself on linux in the beginning. Once you are a moderate to advance user, switch to Arch, it is the best imo.

I don’t know where these “guides” come from, seen several of them pop up. It is like a guide to mostly paid, corporate alternatives, not necessarily open source. There are lots of open source alternatives and configurations to get away from all of google’s services. Ksuite? please, no.

I use CalyxOS so completely degoogled because everything passes through microG. I have the following;

• Phone (CalyxOS)
• Quik (texting)
• Fennec (Firefox w security)
• Thunderbird
• Google Pixel Camera app, firewalled, and any services go through microG

I run CalyxOS, everything goes through microG, totally degoogled, and it is a blessing. My pixel 4a5G should be end of life with Android 14, but thanks to CalyxOS, I have all the security updates and Android 15 humming along. And yes, like you said, mostly pixel phones and a few outliers can be used with these alternative OS’s/ROMs.

Agree. To its credit, it made the transition smooth.

Agree!

The Hannah Montana Linux distribution?

Sadly, Ubuntu. I quickly moved on to debian…and ultimately landed with Arch, my true love for many years. I use Arch, btw.