yeah i certainly thought about linux in there, but im just not sure it’s viable for company-wide use… again, users are not all technical and “forcing” a platform on them that has a kinda hodge-podge of user experiences and isn’t something they’re used to think wouldn’t end well

i do think however that the EU has the resources to invest into a really great linux workstation platform to compete with windows: an easy SSO system to replace AD (heck perhaps some cool AF system that uses OAuth so you can use existing web SSO?!), management like group policy, easy interfaces for things like network file sharing, fleet management, etc and design a really slick user experience

it could be amazing, but users are stubborn so it would have to be amazing i think

for creative cloud, my default is to say the affinity suite (no idea where they’re based, but they’re at least pay once and get a download: subscriptions can’t cut them off so less risk), but it’s mac and windows only… perhaps the EU could do an apple and have them onboard as a “launch partner” with their new cool linux-based distribution

gimp is getting better, but really i don’t think it’s there yet - especially the UI. inkscape is the same but further behind, and i don’t event know of an alternative to indesign

davinci resolve is a great alternative to premiere and after effects, but afaik blackmagic is US-based… it does run in linux though so supports this EU-OS. the free version also has just a download and AFAIK no dial-home, and their paid version is pay once and download a package and you’re good to go … can’t remember how the license works? it might dial home to validate, or it might just be an algorithmic key… even most professionals wouldn’t need the pro version though TBH (unless you’re exporting 8K or doing some intense effects and AI filtering/fixes etc)

i think in general my critique of a lot of the FOSS alternatives are all kinda the same: they lack polish and ease of use, which isn’t super difficult to fix… they have great bones, and with a concerted effort from entities not looking solely for direct profit i think they could really get off the ground as real alternatives… i’m just not sure for regular users they’d accept them as they are right now (but wouldn’t it be so cool for the EU to spin off a whole distro with clean branding, management, interfaces, and a FOSS productivity and creative suite that was branded, skinned, and followed well thought out design patterns)