How is XFCE nowadays? I am on KDE for the past ~3 years and been long-term XFCE user.
IMO biggest KDE advantage over XFCE is that everything literally works out of the box - audio, bluetooth, shortcuts (i hate setting up script yo turn on/off mousepad.
cant give individual websites permissions like js cookie etc.
Don’t you think there is a reason why none of browsers provide this feature? Do you seriously want to open a website and be greeted with 30 pop ups asking “do you want to allow javascript on api.example.com website?”. Then instantly “do you want to allow loading static images/media on api.example.com website?”. Point is - it’s not how web works.
WHICH SITE IS SAVING WHAT DATA ON MY DEVICE
Imagine in your perfect world you get a pop up saying “Firefox has detected that example.com has saved 2 cookies on your device and they consume 43 bytes of your storage space. Do you want to delete them?”. Again, even if it saves cached data (static images) - why would you care? Firefox has addons that can help you to get rid of tracking cookies.
Please learn on how internet works. There is no such thing as “website”, especially in your context. Technically, your requested features could be possible to implement, but that would break like 100℅ of websites. And what you are probably looking for is something like Postman, but for Android. 🙆
Focus learning on how to install Arch Linux and use it without breaking. This not just gives you a rock-stable distro, but also the required knowledge on to maintain Linux OS.
Or go with “Ubuntu” level of easiness. You choose. :)
I’ve been considering installing Arch the traditional way, on my X220, as a way to force myself to improve. Is this a good way to learn more about Linux and a Linux system in general?
Oh yes, that’s exactly how I learnt. Also I have 1000+ edits in Arch Wiki, but stopped contributing to it (as well as AUR) few years ago.
The average user would still try to change DNS settings by editing /etc/relov.conf (which is overwritten and will not survive reboots) or changing settings in Network Manager.
No. The average user would use NetworkManager GUI integrated into DE.
I think your best bet is Framework laptops. If not, ThinkPads have superior Linux support.
Otherwise, pick your favorite model and read online. Also see if you can find your preferred model on Arch Wiki (laptop page).
Myself some time ago I’ve purchased Asus laptop. Spent quite some time (hobby) to get everything working (e.g. fan control) and documented everything in Arch Wiki.
Then I’ve got Asus Zenbook. Also had to participate in kernel bug report and test, because there were no audio. Eventually it got fixed in upstream and started to work.
Then I’ve got MSI gaming laptop. Had to participate in Intel DRM code issue, because 2K 240Hz panel was limited to 2K60Hz mode and eventually it got fixed too in upstream. Few workarounds are there and there, but eventually got it to work almost 100%, but audio is a bit…broken. Works fine, just first few secs after silence are silent.
Basically what I am trying to tell - manufacturers might introduce software-controlled hardware features that might work only in Windows. It requires experience and extensive knowledge to make everything manageable on Linux. :)