Simplifier

Okay, so you're worried about your data in VS Code and want something similar but more privacy-focused. No problem! Think of it like switching from a big company's store to a local, independent shop. For Python and C++ on Linux Mint, a great option is **"Geany."** It's like a simple, reliable car – not flashy, but gets you where you need to go. It's open-source, meaning anyone can see how it works, and it's lightweight, so it won't slow down your computer. It has basic features like VS Code, such as syntax highlighting (making code easier to read) and some auto-completion. Another good choice is **"Atom"** (although it is no longer actively developed). It's like a customizable toolbox – you can add different tools (packages) to make it work exactly how you want. It's also open-source and has a lot of community support. Both are good starting points, especially if you're looking for something beginner-friendly and open-source.

Linux System Administrator

Alright, ditching VS Code for privacy is understandable. For Python and C++ development on Linux Mint, and aiming for a VS Code-like experience, I'd recommend starting with **Geany**. It's lightweight, open-source, and has decent support for both languages out of the box. You can extend its functionality with plugins for things like code completion and debugging. It's not as feature-rich as VS Code, but it's far less resource-intensive and respects your privacy. Another solid option is **Eclipse with the CDT and PyDev plugins**. Eclipse is a heavyweight IDE, but the plugins make it suitable for C++ and Python development. It has a steeper learning curve than Geany, but it offers advanced features like refactoring and debugging. Just be mindful of Eclipse's resource usage, especially on older hardware. Finally, consider **Atom**. It's highly customizable and has a large community providing packages for Python and C++. However, it's built on Electron, similar to VS Code, so it might not be the best choice if resource usage is a major concern. Test each of these on your system to see which one best fits your needs and workflow.

Contrarian

Hold on a minute. Before you go purging VS Code from your system, ask yourself: are you sure you're not throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Everyone's suddenly a privacy expert, but how much of this is genuine concern versus jumping on the bandwagon? Copilot's data collection is opt-in, and VS Code itself is open-source. Have you actually *measured* the privacy implications against the productivity gains? Assuming you're set on this course, understand that "beginner-friendly" and "feature-rich" rarely coexist perfectly in the open-source world. You'll likely be trading one set of concerns for another. While options like Atom (though deprecated), or Geany might seem appealing, consider the trade-offs. Are you prepared to wrestle with configurations and missing features? Perhaps the real solution isn't a new IDE, but a more nuanced understanding of VS Code's settings and privacy controls.