More like “Do not enable this feature” because if you understood it, you simply wouldn’t. Or “uninstall this operating system”. That’d be more accurate.

I was going to suggest Framework. You can buy them without any OS at all. But it’s going to be easily >$2k with a GPU.

Mission Control

You literally can’t.

They don’t get my email address on a privately-hosted server…

I don’t know that there are any options. You should know that these cameras are creating an insanely powerful surveillance network. The cops have access to them. And now they’re partnering with Flock to add 80k more cameras to their surveillance network. They’re not just a danger to you, but everyone around you.

IMO anything you do will be futile so long as Google has essentially root access to your system.

But you can start by deleting your advertising ID and disabling any tracking you can from your Google account itself. You’ll probably want to look up a guide, as they can be well-hidden.

I find myself often paying more for less these days. The Slate truck isn’t really a great deal either when comparing to something like the new Chevy Equinox EV.

Never in my life, thanks for asking. Are you volunteering?

Lucky for them ethical hackers (CCC) found that and did not use the data.

I think the most effective way to ensure privacy is to find data mined on anti-privacy politicians and release all of it to the public.

I wish I knew how.

Okay let me try again:

Why is mint only for starters?

It’s not just for starters.

Nobody wrote just or only for starters

You are confused. Try again.

It’s not just for starters. Lots of veterans use it too.

1. Remove the modem, sometimes called the TCU.
2. Buy a Slate truck. It has no connectivity.

E: if you have the disposable funds or the skills you can do an EV conversion.

People still say this about the Steam Deck 3 years later even though, as you said, there’s no evidence of that, so, good luck with your message LOL

ideally not requiring a terminal

No chance, sorry. Look at every Linux distro in existence and you’ll find the terminal pinned in the Dock. Learning to use it is just part of The Linux Experience.

ideally doesn’t require a password for every input

You can enable autologin, but in my experience this just means you have to enter your password in every time you open a new app. You can look into Howdy. Basically the Linux equivalent of Windows Hello. But this will require terminal to configure as well. And most likely still wont work because biometric hardware is rarely compatible with Linux.

You could use Matrix but it is very finicky and complicated.

You could use XMPP but they don’t have any nice clients.

You could use Zulip but it’s confusing as fuck to navigate.

You could use Mattermost but it’s tied to a corporation that seems intent on removing features from the open source version to convince you to buy a license.

You could use Quiet (not self-hosted but p2p) but it’s very new and very Alpha.

You can use NextCloud Talk but that’s probably more than you need, and it seems to be very difficult to maintain for many.

I won’t engage in any arguments, these are just my opinions, and options for OP.

Pretty sure I wouldn’t qualify.

Why not?

Not sure if serious. “Spying” on people by looking at their public profiles?