I have a fanless, reasonably-light linux laptop from tuxedo. Unfortunately, it seems their current models are more powerful, more heavy and probably not fanless.
Just to commenting to keep the knowledge: There are other projects that can de-drm audible. Amazon probably knows this and tolerates it. In fact, a long time ago all downloads on Linux did not have DRM. Those days are gone, but this https://github.com/mkb79/audible-cli should work.
As soon as you have 'activation bytes' many tools can play and convert the downloads.
As a Linux user, you can pretend the os x is just Linux. That's not true, but you can make it work with brew, some googling and your favourite ide / tech stack.
On the plus side, macs are less problematic to integrate with corporate software. You can run commercial software that's not available for Linux.
Windows is just Windows. A step back from either Linux or mac. Two steps backed when managed by corporate IT.
Agree for self-hosted apps. However I'm also looking for a service like that one by ente.io. Here it's more important that they continue to operate. Sure, with open-source you can self-host or find someone else, but this only works if the service is popular. Less popular open source apps disappaer when the developer gives up. The code would still available, but no one will keep it up-to-date.
I'm looking a for photo-storage option for the long-run.
Open-source is not a must, but nice. E2E encryption is not a must, but nice.
I just want to place to store, edit(?), categorize, search, share my photos. And I don't want to the place to be Google, Apple, or Microsoft. So, this does look interesting.
However, I also want to low-maintenance, low-cost, stable long-term solution. I value convenience.
Short version: Follow the instructions you received, it will work.
Long version:
Printed PDF on regular paper will always work. Just make sure that the 2D barcode (usually rectangular) gets printed. (Some countries may have other codes for domestic flights.)
Mobile boarding pass with 2D barcode (usual square) also works on (practically all) airline/airports. (You don't need an internet connection, but if you receive this via email make sure it's available offline. If it's an airline app, make a screenshot. If it's Apple/Google Wallet or Passbook, don't worry.)
As you noticed above, the print and mobile versions look different. Both will work.
Most airlines have kiosks where you can get a printed boarding pass whether you checked-in online or not. This is your back-up option if your phone's battery is about to die, the mobile boarding pass does not work, or there was an operational change that requires a new boarding pass.
Tiny airports that don't work with mobile boarding passes will have staff to print the boarding pass for you.
If you are checking in luggage with a human agent, you will probably get a printed boarding pass.
If I download the airline’s app to [...], will the airline spam me with ads I don’t want?
Probably yes. Or the app just refuses to work. Airline apps deserve the bad app store rating.
Can I both print the boarding pass at home AND get the qr code to print the boarding pass at the kiosk?
With sane airlines, yes. Standard protocol is to use the last boarding pass generated. So, if for any reason, you get a new boarding pass at the airport, you will use this, not the one printed at home or on your phone. Some airlines will not accept the old barcode or it confuses their system.
Apparently there is something called ‘receive boarding pass by sms’. How does this work?
Old system. They will send you an MMS message or a link. If you don't have internet at the airport, you must download the link before you get there.
Another short version: Always have three things with you:
The booking reference, usually 6 characters
a valid ID
whatever you received from the airline during booking or check-in
Booking reference and last name are the magic code that will get you a boarding pass most anywhere.
You can just save your QR code as a picture on your phone, you don’t need internet.
This. OP says they won't have internet and they don't seem to fly often. Since most Airline apps are shitty, don't rely on their app. It could disappear; crash; forget who you are; know who you are, but forget about your flight. This never happens to frequent flyers with the regular airline, but it could totally happen to OP. (And no, it's not the super-low-cost budget airlines that have shitty apps)
Bad news: this is already happening: Subcontractors and labor law (not a machine, but separate-legal-entity excuse), "computer error" for fuck-ups, resellers and franchise models (yes, our name is on it, but you did not buy from us, you bought from this entity who is a dude in China or a bot in india, but totally not us)
Yes, it's done by the package and when you configure it to, which in practice is right now.
Actually, that's one of the things Ubuntu got right with Snap (hate is as much as you want). They install the new version in the background without interrupting your flow. The next time, you close Firefox and choose to open it again....tada... it's the new version.
I have a fanless, reasonably-light linux laptop from tuxedo. Unfortunately, it seems their current models are more powerful, more heavy and probably not fanless.
Did you consider dell xps or system76?