Software development and computer stuff in general is my passion. I enjoy doing it as a hobby even after doing it at work. If I didn't have to work for money, I would probably work on some open source software. In fact that's kinda my dream / goal - achieve financial independence and work on open source as I please.

US has a huge influence on the entire world. Could it be that it started (or got amplified) in the US due to poor healthcare and then spread out to the rest of the world? I'm not trying to put all the blame on US of course, but it doesn't sound that unreasonable that it could be partially responsible.

I don't have any answers unfortunately. It looks like the implementation is just half-assed because making it good isn't actually in Google's interest.

I can (and do) use DDG in FF but if I chose DDG as a search provider for the launcher searchbar it opens the app.

It's not. Particularly the switch to a multitasking view and some animations cannot be as smooth for any third party launcher due to the fact that the required API is not available to them. I don't remember the details but I think it's only available to system apps? I know it can be achieved with root but I don't want that.

Yup, I actually think it would be doable to make them look healthier just with the design but this guy failed.

Of course, this can be confusing, but wouldn't every single language have some confusing parts? As a non native English speaker who tried to learn other languages (without much success for now) I find English to be actually rather easy.

What would you propose as an easier alternative for a "universal" language?

No, I don't, because I can afford stuff and pirating in this situation would be just pure stealing which I believe is morally wrong. Yes, being a billionaire is usually morally wrong too but I don't think it just cancels out.

Justifying piracy by saying capitalism is bad sounds like a hypocrisy to me. You want to use something that exists thanks to capitalism without participating in it. You want to eat your cake and have it too.

Now, the case is different for people that can't afford stuff, especially when they genuinely need it (but I don't draw the line at entertainment, after all people NEED entertainment too). In that case, please pirate away. Everyone deserves a decent life. In general, I largely agree with OP's friend.

I see that Framework and System76 were already mentioned. I would add Slimbook and Tuxedo Computers to the list.

I was just in a market for a Linux laptop and I really wanted a Framework but it's not available in my country so I settled on Slimbook Executive 14 instead. I have it for around a month now and I'm very satisfied.

Apple just loves to make their stuff seem special by giving it names. Those names are often ridiculous but somehow it looks like they get the job done. I mean come on, dynamic island? I cringe every time I hear that name.

But on the other hand take a look at the chip names. While their competitors use chips like "something mtux64-828qwerty", Apple releases a new A15 ✨bionic✨ which sounds like something that will literally change the world. I mean, it's bionic, that has to be incredible, right?

This is the first time I hear about it and I have to say it looks really promising. I'm a sucker for Vivaldi style customization but I really don't want to use Chromium based browser. Definitely will give Floorp a chance. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

Some people mentioned Framework and I would definitely look into it, however you didn't specify your country and they don't sell everywhere in Europe. I was just in a market for a new laptop and really wanted it but it's not available in my country.

Another options for an out of the box Linux laptop are Slimbook, Tuxedo Computers and Starlabs. I personally just ordered Slimbook Executive 14 yesterday.