There are lots of choices, but personally I would go with Linux Mint as something likely familiar and packaged with pretty much all the basics for the use case you outlined.

I guess ‘cool’ depends on personal interest and circumstances.

A house move likely prevents running our Aussie Halloween this year, after being featured on State TV news last year, but I would like to share past family/friends efforts to establish a fun spooky celebration, in circumstances where locally there is not an established tradition, originating because my daughter in-law grew up in North Carolina and she and my eldest son moved here at the height of the pandemic, so I have adopted Halloween as a way to incorporate her fond childhood memories into our local family and local Aussie community traditions, with the help of family members and many talented friends: https://scarymandercove.au/

Perhaps I am incredibly naive, but for me a “Forever mouse” is something you buy, own, and have control absolute over!

This…plus you can ad swipe support.

No, a software or hardware KVM lets you use the same keyboard and mouse across multiple devices.

Have a look at software KVMs, for a similar functionality.

A simple usb KVM should do the trick of easily switching between the two.

I use Resolve Studio, that gives you access to all Resolve features but it does not fix codec licensing issues at the Linux OS level.

And there is angst re AI hallucinating, seems that also affects HR.

Mention is made of Resolve, which does work great as a professional grade video editor, and in the next breath codec issues are raised, which are not a Linux issue but proprietary licensing issue.

For a simple workaround in Mint go to: /home/UserName/.local/share/nemo/scripts

Create 2 files to convert videos from the right click menu and make them executable in the Permissions:

#!/bin/bash

for file; do ffmpeg -i “$file” -c:v dnxhd -profile:v dnxhr_hq -pix_fmt yuv422p -c:a pcm_s16le -f mov “${file%.*}”.mov

done

And:

#!/bin/bash

for file; do ffmpeg -i “$file” “${file}”.mp4

done

Finally found a use for MS Edge, loaded up Nuke Reddit History and removed all comments and posts: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/nuke-reddit-history/bklbcgohenjegdibgmppligaapohkgip

Any public data exchange has an element of risk, but the management/priority of that risk relates to your relevant risk matrix/profile.

Any exposed data transverses via a provider, be it mobile or Wi-Fi is pertinent, if you are concerned about provider vulnerabilities and exposure, be it Wi-Fi or mobile, use a VPN and related encryption.

Aegis Authenticator, AntennaPod, Aurora Store, Auxio, Bitwarden, Exodus, Forecastie, Fossify Contacts, Fossify Phone, Fossify File Manager, Fossify Gallery or Immich if self hosting pictures, Gmaps WV, Hypatria, Jellyfin client if self hosting media, Kvaesitso, Libre Camera, LocalSend, Mull, New Pipe, OpenBoard, OpenCalc, OsmAnd~, Pedometer, QKSMS, RHVoice, RustDesk, Send Reduced, Simply Translate Mobile, Tailscale, TrackerControl, VLC, WifiAnalyzer.

It will get worse with AI joining the fray!

I think your first point totally valid and justified, though the second is a little more nuanced, including Proton Mail making promotional mileage out of some genuine privacy and potentially security related concerns.

Being Australian this is likely one to report to the ACCC, as Aussies at least have basic consumer protection, though that get murky with overseas tech entities.

“While we disagree with the FTC’s allegations and characterization of the facts, we are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to continuing to serve our millions of customers around the world.”…translation, we regret being caught but look forward to the opportunity of exploring alternate ways to exploiting consumers for profit.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman controls 8.7 percent of Reddit, I wonder if he values the $$$s of the Google deal or is pissed as a Google rival: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/reddit-files-ipo-sam-altman-newhouse-family-investors-1235833080/

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman controls 8.7 percent of Reddit, I wonder if he values the $$$s of the Google deal or is pissed as a Google rival: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/reddit-files-ipo-sam-altman-newhouse-family-investors-1235833080/

Isn’t everyone, and isn’t Microsoft the one helping to make these tools available?

And how will mere ‘blanket bans’ prevent hackers from finding ways to use and exploit Microsoft AI tools, after all is that not what hackers do?