somenonewho

Well everyone's milage may vary. I have set up informant some time ago so I'm forced to read the news on updates. But much more importantly I've ignored .pacnew files for years till it bit me in the ass when a Pam config file change broke my login so now I'm not ignoring.pacnew but merging them every update.

Yeah that's called "Tails" not TailOS. And it's a pretty great tool.

I feel that. I've used Linux before systemd but when I went into the "nitty gritty" by using arch systemd had just been implemented and everything I learned about startup services init etc. was systemd based. When I started my career working in servers they were redhat/CentOS so still systemd and when I switched jobs Debian already had made the switch so (most of) the systems at my new job were also systemd based. Of course I learned the basics of init files and even some rc.d but systemd still makes the most sense to me and like you say it's "comfy".

I was like batch 5 of the AMD framework 13 running Arch and Gnome on it.

I did have some problems with suspend/nvme drive that was fixed by replacing the nvme. If you go with their drive you'll probably be fine (I just grabbed one I had laying around). Ever since then the laptop is perfect. If you do get it check out the Archwiki article that has a lot of helpful tips for tuning your OS to the Hardware

I've never been a real plasma user (played around with it sure but never more than a week or something) and have been using GNOME since ~3.10 the whole workflow is just ingrained in my mind and simply works. So I'd be happy to hear how you're doing on Plasma even if I don't see myself switching anytime soon.

I had an external HDD that I was using for years. Some of that time it was attached to a Server basically running 24/7 definitely dropped that thing a couple of times. That HDD has been out of use for years now but I'm sure I could just plug it in tomorrow and it would spin up fine. HDDs can last forever untill they don't.

So Backups! And don't worry about the rest.

Also as others said if you're interested how long and hard it's actually been working check out the smart data if there are any fail criteria you might wanna get a new one just to avoid restoring from Backup but if all's green just let it keep chugging until it doesn't and remember Backups!

They absolutely do have "Startup Applications" in gnome not sure what the article is describing but I usually use gnome-tweak which offers a simple interface that shows currently running apps and a list of all apps and easily lets you select them to start at boot

I remember first hearing about 1TB and thinking (who needs that much storage?) wasn't an IT person then just a regular nerd but am now and it took me a while to ever fill up my first 1TB HDD (steam folder) now I have a 2TB NVME in my desktop and a 4TB NVME in my server (for my Linux ISOs ;))

Just having a network of care, looking out for each other and replacing functions a fascist state doesn't offer any more (think childcare/healthcare/food for those in need) can be a huge act of resistance. Organizing political protests as long as it's still possible (even if it's illegal). Strike, sabotage, physical violence ... Eventually you will have the choice of imprisonment/death, assimilation or exile to me the last act of resistance will be never to choose assimilation. Continuing to live in exile can be as much of a martyrdom as dying for the cause.

Build a network of friends/neighbors etc. conceive plans to protect the ones who will be targeted first (POC, LGBTQI, ...) eventually either go underground or leave the country.

Yeah that's not a new take when you call the AfD "Nazis" they will usually reply "No the Nazis were "NationalSOCIALISTS" so not us because we're not socialist. Which is of course missing the point but no wonder. I still call them Nazis or Fascists as I see fit.

Oh I've done some wicked shit with awk that things literally magic