For anyone reading, this is not a peer reviewed study, it’s basically just some bored peoples backyard project. Conspiracy theory Mumbojumbo

Yeah, some of it may not be as easy on Linux, but I think the question was just if it’s possible or not

Most if not all of these seem very easily done on windows. You can create scripts as you like and set up environment variables like vlc. Control of updates I’m not so sure about, I haven’t messed with it I just let it auto update.

I don’t think we ever stopped mining it

3rd party. The two parties both suck