used to be one in rhel… system-config-date or something like that.

for linux and the most basic of basic tasks, i’d look at peppermint. it’s what i put on all the old crap here with ‘marginal’ specs that choke on windows. debian stable xfce based. base install is pretty sparse, not even a browser is included initially. a utility pops up after first boot to facilitate installing a browser, media player, and a few other things if you want them, or the entire debian stable repository is also available. one thing of note. with only 2gb ram, it’s gonna be tight, whatever he runs on it.

his use case is screaming for a cheap chromebook, though. so at least consider that instead. an old laptop like that might make someone a nice little pihole or something, if it’s not ready to be put down for good.

if the goal is simply to ‘de-google’, then mxroute itself is enough. 3rd party. decent policies. good track record. reasonable price (especially their promos).

their original registered mark was strictly, and very specifically, for “Downloadable computer application software for mobile phones, smart devices, and computers, namely, software for the management of E-commerce shopping carts”. they have a brand new (jan 15, 2025) application that adds your functionality to it. meaning, when you released your app, you weren’t violating their mark… you still aren’t because their new application hasn’t even assigned to an examiner yet, and your use in that market predates their application.

they might just be fishing for an easy settlement or your domain name(s).

ianal and you could use one. so, consult an attorney that handles ip and trademarks, let them respond (don’t communicate with the other party yourself). actions might include a real threat of a counter-claim, challenging their new trademark application, or just tellin’ em to pound sand…

so, you want something like spamhero standard (in/out relay and spam filtering for one domain)?

(i don’t use them, just the first one i found. i had used similar years ago, but just have email hosted at two of our providers now instead).

i’ve been shutting down linux desktops most every day lately, and turning them on only when i want to use one.

even if you did, stable shouldn’t break itself regardless of how far out-of-date it is, nor will it upgrade to the next release without a little bit of hoop jumping first.