Since when is Gnome the default? The default varies by distro...
What doesn't make sense is your use of the term "offline editor" - it's entirely nonsensical in this context. If they can't use an offline editor, they won't be any better with an online editor. It's like saying you need a 4 door car because you can't drive a 2 door car - it's the same thing with more seats. Photo editing is photo editing regardless of where the software is hosted.
Are you using /etc/resolv.conf?
I don't use proton but I found with tailscale it's much more stable to use systemd-resolved because it doesn't overwrite resolv.conf. I don't know if this is the case with proton as I don't know how it treats different resolvers but I would look into it.
Son, I think it's time you learn about vlans.
Are there any machines in use anymore that don't support UEFI? When did it become standard? Something like 2012?
I have a zx01 or something like that from AliExpress with an N100 and 16GB. Those little machines are seriously impressive. It's running Garuda and my son has not complained once about any game he's tried to play. I don't play games, I just bought it on a whim cause it's tiny and $150 or so. I've run several systems on it without a hitch. I'm pretty certain it'll hose a Minecraft server without an issue.
I'm currently using Arch and doing the same thing. I learned more than a decade ago not to even bother with asking questions to the community at large. Bunch of self righteous dicks they are.
This guy makes some of the best Linux content on the Internet. This walk through is spot on and if you're having trouble with the written guide, watch the video and you can do it along with him in several different scenarios. I can't say enough good things about his content.
https://www.learnlinux.tv/arch-linux-full-installation-guide/
pfSense on a ZimaBoard 216 works astonishingly well and it's easy to setup and manage. Toss in a Mikrotik CSS610 and you have a vlan ready setup in under an hour.
If you don't like the ZimaBoard, you can go with any of the Topton style router PCs from AliExpress for a couple hundred and have a 2.5Gb router running in proxmox with docker in a separate VM.
I'm thinking about getting into tinfoil hat manufacturing cause they're about to sell out.
You can self host VS Code.