I tried switching to a different distro but that didn’t work at all, so I’m afraid I’ll have to push through. I don’t mind, there is a reason I chose Qubes initially.

Believe me, I wish I could tell you what I’ve done :') I wanted to get Whonix, but I think the website eventually led me to QubesOS? All I can say is that at startup it shows the Qubes symbol, so it’s likely I got that.

When I try to start sys-net it can’t start and says that the Qube sys-net has shut down. I’ll provide the error message in a moment if I can’t get it up with your other suggestion. Thanks!

eta:

Cannot connect to qrexec agent for 120 seconds.

When I want to check the logs, some other qubes cannot start. Bizarre. I even tried creating a qube without the offending qubes (sys-net etc.) yet it still fails.

Unfortunately it didn’t help, thanks anyway!

Sorry for my late reply.

I have a Settings Manager, but searching for ‘network’, ‘internet’, ‘wifi’, ‘wlan’ and ‘connection’ yields no results.

I use Mullvad VPN and they offer a wide range of countries.

This is a shot in the dark because I admittedly have absolutely no idea, but did you try 3rd world vpn servers? I noticed I’m subjected to less bullshit overall if I choose servers in countries that aren’t considered 1st world.

Whenever it’s about scientific papers, books, etc., Anna’s Archives are being mentioned. Maybe there?

I’d join and mostly lurk. I have to admit that I’m excited at finally putting my threema license to use :')

That’s what I keep reading about undiagnosed ADHDers and cocaine ;) for me it’s that coffee makes me sleepy enough so that I have to go to sleep after drinking coffee.

My autism striked again, lol.

That’s what ADHD meds are supposed to do to ADHDers, they bring them closer to neurotypical levels. You’re not supposed to have effects similar to cocaine.

That really makes no sense, considering that OP provided pronouns, they/them.

OP’s partner’s pronouns are they/them.

Why not record the music off soundcloud or youtube e.g. via audacity? Sure, not as convenient as simply downloading, though.