Dear Plug friends ... After using older versions of Linux Mint for many years, I now need to "build' a new system. Because, what I have relied on, and what has worked perfectly for many years is now causing some problems. So, I am seeking your recommendations for system choices. I quit using hardware "boxes" years ago and switched to using Thinkpad laptops exclusively; all running different versions of Linux Mint: two T-420s, two T430s, one T530. All are kept running 24/7 (all but one in sleep mode) and none of them have ever "failed" or had a major problem, until now. Thinkpads seem to be amazingly reliable. I work mostly on one of the T-420s with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse ... and I rsync backup all of my data to each of four other Thinkpads weekly. However, I have never been able to get any of my backup Thinkpads to work as completely as that one old-reliable T420 with Linux Mint 17.2 based on Ubuntu 14:4 ... which is no longer supported. So, I am now considering purchasing a refurbished T460 ... but I am open to consider other models. And, I need to decide which version of Linux Mint (or what alternative distro) to use. Also, I am no longer inclined to try to do the installation myself because I remember almost always hitting obstacles when trying to complete a new installation, and having difficulty getting everything that I need to work correctly. So, I hope that I can "hire" one of my Plug friends to install whatever y'all recommend as the best version of Linux Mint (or some alternative) and help me get everything that I need working. In addition to what is included in a standard install, I want it to start without requiring a password required every time I restart and without that startup "wallet" nuisance. The apps that I use most are: kwrite, Libre Office, Google docs (mostly Writer), Firefox, Chrome, Apache, and Wine with which I use Paint Shop Pro 7.0. And, I want 4 desktops with different wallpaper on each one (so I know where I am). That I was only able to get to work on my one old T-420 with KDE and it is something that I have been unable to get to work on my four backup Thinkpads. I will also want all of the other applications that I currently have on my old T420 installed and working; and I need to know how to extract list of what all is installed. Please tell me your recommendations and questions; and contact me privately if you would be so kind to provide a quote to help me build a new system. PS: Whatever happened to installfests? (covid seems to be mostly a non-issue now.) Joe@Actionline.com === --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: https://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss