@bmike - just speaking the truth.

@DManokhin let me help you out here....

I didn't down vote this, but I can see why. Two reasons, IMO.

1) It's incorrect. Opt-Click is to open preferences, not to fix the problem

2) (This goes back to what I was saying about "copy/paste" vs. "actually doing"). Referencing a discussion forum as a source is not a sound strategy.

Now, if you had a USB input, you might have experienced that there is no audio level input control

and you would have known that the particular answer you cited was incomplete. This is why, I believe, you got down voted.

Now, the big problem I see here is that you don't have a Mac. So, given that you're eager to help but lack the necessary tools.....

What do you need to get your first Mac?

(and it doesn't have to be a 2018; it can be a 2012 or even a 2009 white MacBook).

Let's define that so we can assist you in moving forward.

I just bought an old Mac Pro 3,1 for £250 to replace an identical one that had finally failed after 10 years almost constant uptime. It's stuck on El Cap but for me that's not an issue for the purpose I need it. Just saying you don't need the latest & greatest [though one that can run Mojave would be most useful for Ask Different.]

I bought my first ever computer by monetarising a hobby. I've been a musician since I could walk & have been buying my own gear since I was 13.

@DManokhin used mac are not expensive. If you put in time to research, you often can sell them in a year for what you paid - especially if you teach the person you sell it to how to use it. Everyone has an aunt or uncle that needs support and training.

@DManokhin - addressing point 1, they sound like they can be convinced. If your argument is "I want one because I want one" that will fail. Find out what their objection is specifically - is it really because you're not working? If so, then that solution is easy, get a "small" job. If it's because they believe that Windows is better, you'll have to talk with them some more to find out what specifically makes it "better" so you can address that argument.

As for obtaining a used Mac, I was able to obtain various parts to a white 2009 Mac from different sellers and put it together myself for less than $100USD including the shipping charges. Learning to service Macs is a good reason to present to your parents why you might need help in obtaining one.

Why is this apple.stackexchange.com/q/352145/251859 POB? Let me disagree on this decision on all levels. All Qs can be improved, but here it is just one thing before all: The Q got the wrong close reason. And that's not the fault of OP.

@Allan Could you explain that vote for me here, or better yet for OP in a comment below the Q?

If a Q is POB it would attract "coz Macs are crap" answers, but this is asking for how and why things happen, so shouldn't it attract "process A results in outcome Y" answers?

@LangLangC - I voted to close because it's too broad/unclear - mainly because there isn't a specific problem to be solved not because it's opinionated. The premise of the question is that installing software causes macOS to "rot" (whatever that means) and the cause of this "rot" is from kexts, login items, LaunchDaemons, LaunchAgents and even updates/patches to/from software that may or may not be running.

1) "Sluggish" is a subjective definition - how has the system judged to become "sluggish"

2) The premise is false. kexts are only installed by apps that require them and can easily be removed.

@Allan Thx. On 'too broad' I could have almost agreed. But according to timeline all 5 votes were POB?

3) how can software that's not loaded (whether on a PC or a Mac) slow it down?

4) LaunchAgents/Daemons are plists that load other apps. Those can also be disabled.

Because it isn't asking "What is slowing my computer down, here are some bits of info that can help you solve this problem" instead it is asking "What are some possible things that might slow down computers"

The majority was opinionated (3 I think). 2 of us went the other way. The system (I belive) closes it for either the most voted reason or the first reason (I haven't studied it).

"What are some possible things that might slow down computers"

Way too broad.

@Allan In case of pure app this indeed a question, but the interlocking and interaction of executables that occupy just entries on disk, in DBs, lists. Mainly the problem is what appears to a user as "running" (install chrome, launch it once, and in the background the updates keep on coming…)

I have Chrome installed and don't use it. I just opened it up and it hasn't been updated.

The point is, we're debating the causes of a problem where the problem hasn't been defined yet.

@Allan That's strange. I know the label usually gets only one reason to print out but the timeline view lists those broken down to reasons?

Give me a link to what you're looking at so we can be on the same page.

@Allan As said, any Q can be improved and that this one is considered 'too broad' is something I expect here (and would still disagree, but sigh…). The link to the timeline is apple.stackexchange.com/posts/352145/timeline

Same thing. It aggregated all as one reason.

@Allan Apparently you are correct in diagnosing the timeline page meta.stackexchange.com/questions/284886/… Must have conflated something… Or is that a mod feature?

@DManokhin ok. Please make sure you check the age limits at stackoverflow.com/legal/terms-of-service

You have come a long way and have great energy so I hope you can continue to participate with consent of your guardians.

If you have any questions on the terms, please use the contact us link to work directly with the site owners.

@DManokhin I would say talk with adults and ask them how to determine a loan / cost of ownership and if they would help you out using your savings as “collateral”

Learning how to manage and think about money is a great way for parents to help Loren think about money. Learning about leverage and what you owe a creditor also are good lessons to start as soon as you might be ready for the math and the social aspect. You’re probably ready for both based on how I see you interacting and using the site. Plus, you’re motivated as all get out to learn.

You might be able to earn enough to pay off the interest and then sell the computer in a year and see how the experience was taking a “loan” and paying it back.