How about Music players, Sequencers, studio, DJ, Drum machines, Guitar software amps, software radios...

The fact that you simply ignored music players disqualifies your list. Also considering that Arch's AUR, for example has over 90.000 packages, the idea of one person compiling a useful general "best of" list is deluded and doomed from the start.

I don't write this acrimoniously, I simply state the fact that unless you enlist help (and a lot at that) your endeavor is useless.

Not to disparage your effort, but I looked into music and I only see:

Audio & Music

Audacity Audire Audile

Aaaand I'm out.

This is so lopsided it should be titled "A random collection of free software that has caught my eye"

I'll gladly pay a premium for something that will be "buy it for life" or at least last decades. Phones and computers have inherent obsolescence, but most tools don't. I don't buy chinesium tools, I buy reputed European, American, or Japanese tools, the lifetime stuff.

Don't get me started on OneDrive

Is seeding anonymous?

It’s comparing hardware, not OS

Me neither. I have the combination of Firefox+uBlock origin+privacy Badger and I'm a pretty happy camper.

When I query an AI I always end with "provide sources and bibliography for your reply". That seems to get better replies.

Also, I seem to remeber that the Affinity CEO made those statements, but Canva are calling the shots now, so...

I don't think so. Unless I'm mistaken, your lifetime license is for major versions, so when 3.0 comes around, you will still be able to use 2.x.x, but not upgrade for free. They have been offering pretty good upgrade prices, though. We'll see what happens.

Yes. They've made positivw noises about pricing, etc, but pretty much everybody in the community fears changes for the worse

Yes, This. An unmarked huge truck with a massive ladder a big control panel full of dials and stuff, and big-ass hoses everywhere, driven or surrounded by big dudes in red or yellow fireproof jackets, with those cool helmets with the visor backwards, could be confused with a UPS van.