Status update:
Still no DAW, part because I haven’t even received a new M.2 (seller’s systems have failed too…), part because I kind of needed some time away from Windoze anyway. Probably receiving a new disk tomorrow, though.
Cello practice is going rather well. My fingers may be of a different opinion.
Achievement unlocked: Permanent fingertip string grooves.
Well on the positive side, you will be able to introduce so much more expression and more importantly “originality” by improving your cello skills so that you can pretty much always add a part or two in your future compositions (without too many retakes) 
Well, that’s the idea, in the longer term, at least. 
On that note, it crossed my mind to install LMMS or something on the Linux system, and see what I can do with just real instruments and basic editing.
wow there is a lot of great composition for this contest, it will be hard to vote and to choose
Will make the final poll today, so that it can run over the weekend 