My procedure goes like this:
I use a Motorola phone. All pictures are JPGs and are uploaded to Google Photos automatically. I simply download those to an appropriate named folder in my Downloads folder(Windows computer) then move that folder into my master photo folder called "All Lightroom Photos". Next, import that folder into lightroom(Lightroom Classic). So far this has never failed me.

Ahhh, first digital camera Whata hoot. I remember mine

One suggestion: Pick up a slide scanner from ebay, scan your slides, then resell the scanner on ebay. Did this several years ago. Got back cost of scanner within a couple dollars.

You may want to consider cutting your own mats. If you buy mats to fit your pictures at a frame shop, by the time you pay for several, you can buy a moderately priced cutter. Then you can buy mat board at a hobby shop and custom cut anything you desire to compliment your prints. I found it to be much cheaper this way.

I started using Lightroom several months ago after struggling with PSE14(and previous versions) for a long time. There is no doubt that Lightroom has a significant learning curve to become really proficient. However the greatest value to me has been the catalogueing feature of Lightroom. I started with a collection of about 20,000 pictures largely filed by date on my hard drive. BUT, I could not find anything I wanted to look at. Simply, I could not remember when I took something I would like to review given my library covered about 50 years of photo including several years of converted slides. Enter Lightroom. While not perfect, I can now find most anything I want to look at in 2 or 3 keystrokes due to the keyword and collections capabilities. This has made Lightroom my best investment ever. There is lots and lots of training videos on YouTube and direct from to help shorten the learning curve, all for free.
There is substantial editing capabilities to accomplish basic edits. There are endless testimonials that Lightroom does about 90 percent of most peoples editing. Go for it and good luck.

Good for me. Any troubles is because I am still on a learning curve, not software.

It seems to me that a GPS function in cameras would be far more desirable than Wi-Fi. I am not likely going to transfer pictures to my cell phone which has only slightly larger viewing area. I will most likely email pictures after being downloaded to my computer, then send to ones I am proud of. It would be nice to know specifically where I was when I took a picture. I just cannot remember that after a few thousand pictures.
Just curious if anyone else agrees with my thinking.

VLC is great

No need to convert VOB files to play on windows. There are lots of applications to play VOB files, both free and pay, including Windows Media Player. Just check the web for video players.

Take a look at "Hornil Photo Viewer" or "Fastone Image Viewer"

Thanks

Sorry, should have been 1/4

Curiosity question from novice. If you only use 14 of the tablet active area, why not buy a smaller tablet.

For your consideration: Use a CF to SD adapter so you need not be inserting and removing the CF card

For simple spot removal, try Inpaint. It's free.