An interesting take. Read somewhere that the reason Trump want’s Greenland and Canada is so the US is bigger geographical than Russia. Was said as a semi-joke. But at this point I’m not ruling anything out.

I use posteo.de, and are very happy with it.

Agree 100%. But where I live politicians always seem to focus more on giving tax cuts than maintenance and improving trains. The people should not accept it, but… Tax cuts!

Good to hear! Didn’t know that. Good news.

Agreed. Politicians should prioritize trains and public transport more. And bicycles while we’re at it.

The problem with trains is they are public (under)founded. The rich and powerfull with political influence don’t want working public transportation because less carsales, oil, gasoline etc.

Which explains why Musk prevented a high speed train in the US with his hyperloop. We all need to buy EV"s which have most of the downsides of traditional cars.

When we could have clean, fast and comfortable public transportation.

EDIT: Spelling.

I work with Open Source, Privacy (GDPR etc.) and cyber- and informationsecurity. Im in.

Found the Thinkpad collector who is afraid of competition. Just kidding… 🙂

I haven’t had much experience with the newer models, so what you say may be true.

Don’t know if it’s a good deal.

As others here I will recommend also looking at other brands. I think that you get the best deal by buying used business laptops. They are cheap, good quality, built to last and often repairable.

Brand-wise I think Dell is OK, while Lenovo Thinkpads series T, X, W and carbon are even better choices, IMO.

EDIT: Spelling.

Someone mentioned that M365 is properly not legal. Guess what, it isn’t.

The EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor) investgated the EU-Commissions’ use of M365 and found it to be illegal in march 2024. EPDS gave the Commission until December 2024 to, among other things, stop transfers of Personal Information to third countries in M365 outside the EU. Which of course made the Commission sue the EDPS. And MS to do the same…

So M365 is NOT legal to use for any Public Institution in the EU. Unless the Controller make Microsoft change their DPA, contract etc. Kinda like MS did for the Dutch government after the dutch firm Privacy Company made an in depth analysis of M365 and found numerous illegal processing etc.

Fun how Microsoft was made aware of how they acted illegal, and changed it - only for the Dutch Government…!! The rest of their Customers still have the illegal DPA, terms etc… Also fun how it is Common knowledge and IT-departments still choose to use M365, and move as much as possible there from more privacy and security oriented services.

EDPS investigation into the Commissions use of M365: https://www.edps.europa.eu/press-publications/press-news/press-releases/2024/european-commissions-use-microsoft-365-infringes-data-protection-law-eu-institutions-and-bodies_en

My point? EU-Linux is a fantastic idea! 🙂