this post was submitted on 08 Jan 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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In two of my previous jobs (I'm a software engineer) I could officially install any Linux distro to the company laptop (which I did of course) fully replacing the wintoys. Could use the machine as I liked, no corporate mandated BS spyware or anything. On of the provides a SaaS product and used Linux server/virtual machines. Otherwise it was mostly MS bits + sprinkle a little Atlanssian horrors to it.
Unfortunately in my current job I'm limited a VirtualBox Linux running a corporate restricted wintoys machine in a MS environment. A long for the days when I was more productive with my Linux installation.
It's just sad and funny how corporate world is that MS products it has to be (because reasons).
I was stuck in MacOS hell for some time. Now I won't accept jobs that mandate an OS for devs. It's either free choice, or I'm gone. Fuck that noise.
Was also in a company where Linux in a VM was the only option because it was a windows shop. Glad I quit that.
May the virtualized penguin bestow you with strength!
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i'm stuck with windows, but i moved everything inside WSL... so at least vscode it's on Linux.
i'm a heavy multitasker used to tiling WMs, multiple desktops on windows is torture.
Yes, and when the company gets hacked they can sue you for not keeping "your" computer secure enough. When I started my career on the field I also had those ideias that companies are evil and want to spy on everyone and enforce stupid policies on computer and whatnot.
Eventually I moved to heavily restricted environments where once you see what's going on there you simply wouldn't even open WhatsApp on that machine, let alone surf unknown websites. You wouldn't do it not because the fear of being monitored but by the amount of liability you would be exposing yourself if you did. Trust me, the company isn't bad, predatory but at a certain level you simply think twice. In fact they even reconize that people might want to surf random websites or use some personal accounts and provide a secure virtualized extra browser (restricted from the internal network) but still no way in hell people even think about using it for something so simple such as WhatsApp.
To be fair, this way of thinking might be the best. Just assume people will want to have a personal messaging app, email or whatever on the side and deploy some virtualized / restricted local or remote solution so they can do it without creating risks for themselves or to the company. At least this way you're still under control and people wouldn't be trying to bypass your security everyday...
Sounds very American point-of-view. Installation and usage was officially sanctioned. Most developers in both companies preferred to use Linux, some used Macs, wintoys users were a minority. Neither company had any super restrictive corporate BS on their wintoys installation. Neither company is based in the Americas. Both are local companies in the EU.
Yes but doesn't change the issue. That scenario will happen and no CTO on his right mind would allow indiscriminate and random tool usage as it opens the company to a ton of possible liability. If someone does then that person is just bad at their job.
What do you mean by this? Is there an entire set of guidelines and security policies for both Windows, macOS and Linux users on the company? Like AV software they're required to run, do they lock Linux machines with policies like they do with Windows ones? How does it work? If they don't to any of the above then we're back to my previous asessement.
The point here is that the company trusts their employees to use the best tools for them, be secure and do the right thing. Be the most productive. Windows needs that kind of third party snake-oil like AV software and restrictive policies to run it somewhat secure. Most Linux distros are already secure by design out of the box. Drive-by malware and hacking are a thing in windows not Linux.
Of course there are best practices and guidelines for running your system securely, how to handle sensitive data etc.
This. Linux Management is a thing and needs to be more implemented. Immutable Distros and more can help here, and should totally be used.
Immutable distros are yet another future money grab attempt.
What? Dude thats some uninformed conspiracy bs. Ubuntu maybe, but the rest?
You'll remember my comment soon enough.