Im on mobile, but I’ll try to circle back later and provide more details and links. Also I use NixOS, Niri, and DMS, but also was on KDE before switching over, so a similar setup but not the same.

Problems 1 and 3 are related. Basically there should be some configuration file for polkit/pam, and in there you have to configure to allow fprintd (or try and see if theres a setting for howdy, I know theres extra config you have to do for fido2 and it should be similar if possible) to unlock greetd. Should should also be something about unlocking kwallet on login, but with kwallet you have to do some weird settings on top of it to enable to login password to work, or setup a blank password wallet and set thag to default. I switched to gnome-keyring and seahorse (gui) when making the change to niri for the reason you mentioned, its better supported and needed less tinkering.

Problem 2. Kde keeps like a cache of its “.desktop” apps somewhere, and you probably have to blow it way and update xdg on where to find the “app launchers”.

For extensions or extras. Honestly I would try to stick with anything noctalia has in its plugins store, and let it handle any “enhancements”. The only other things id recommend is when youre looking for replacements for KDE apps, like dolphin, Kate, etc, is to look for all the lightweight wayland native ones that people typically install when they are building their own “DE” on top of niri (instead of installing noctalia or DMS), aka look for post where people are showing off their waybar setups. I switched to whatever the popular image view is, among other tools, and even though they seem like they’d lack features or be more geared towards terminal users, they’ve been great. Replacing dolphin has been the only hurdle, i cant find anything that’s as clean and powerful yet, but have high hopes for Cosmic to mature so i can start stealing from thag instead.

Again, apologies for the vagueness, I dont have my config in front of me, hopefully its enough to get you on the right track.

Its one of the top level comments, not sure if im linking this right (first time trying like this): Link to comment - https://piefed.social/comment/12205039

Direct link to comparison website - https://vpn.techlore.tech/

Thanks, thats helpful! I saw someone post a link in another comment to a comparison chart (i should have read the rest of the thread before replying), and it looks like they’re at the top of my list now.

Before I switched from proton VPN to mullvad VPN, I thought I remembered when doing research there was only a few providers that said they did no logs, and had proof either through 3rd party audits or shown they couldn’t provide anything when court ordered.

Does IVPN have proof they do not log? Because im in the same boat, I dont want my money supporting fascists, but i also dont know of any alternative to switch to?

Besides switching back to proton VPN (which id rather not get into any controversy around them)