I’ve been using GrapheneOS for a couple years now, both with and without the Google compatability apps. I vastly prefer without, but I’m lucky in that my credit union’s app will function without Google.

Bring back Linux Mint KDE

Why, uh. Why was that your first thought.

“Just pretend it’s always been Linux” is a bold move. I salute 12-year-old you o7

Yeah, I unfortunately didn’t know about the “Nvidia hates Linux” thing when I bought this laptop. I guess I know better for next time.

Garuda might be worth a try. I used it for a couple months and really enjoyed it, I only stopped because Nvidia drivers kept breaking.

My least favorite is Linux Lite. It’s supposed to be a lighter, simpler version of Ubuntu but I don’t think it accomplishes this at all. It’s very slow for something that’s supposed to be lightweight, and still includes Snaps, which are also very much not lightweight. Plus its software center is just bad, which is not great for something that’s marketed at Linux noobs. Linux Mint XFCE or SpiralLinux are better options for a Linux noob who needs a lighter distro, IMO.

An improvement I’d suggest: obviously, ditch Snaps. Another would be to take a look at what Bodhi Linux does and have the “software center” run in the browser. I don’t know how good this is security-wise, but it definitely speeds things up from the UX side of things.

Changed the gender. Kind a pain in the ass but totally worth it.

You’re allowed to be annoyed by it. That’s an annoying thing to have happen. But yelling at her won’t fix the situation, and as you’ve already noted, is only going to make things worse. Feeling angry is OK. Taking it out on someone else is not.

Can you take that emotion and do something else with it? Make a piece of art, play a shoot 'em up game, listen to an angry song, etc?

Also GrapheneOS on a Pixel 6a. I know it’s ironic but Graphene has worked really well for me.

In the US, the only time you’d have to boil water before drinking in most places is if there’s something wrong with the water system and they put out a “boil water” advisory, and that’s pretty rare. It’s definitely not something you have to on a daily basis. Some people will use water filters but it’s not usually a necessity.