Workplace is forcing me to switch back to Windows :(
After 4 years of using Fedora KDE as my main OS with 0 issues or drawbacks, my workplace is now requiring all computers to be on Windows 11. Any suggestions to make the transition back more bearable?
My dissapointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined :(
like this
Jacob Urlich 🌍
in reply to ISolox • •Linux reshared this.
ISolox
in reply to Jacob Urlich 🌍 • • •JoeKrogan
in reply to ISolox • • •Pressing F to pay my respects.
Sorry to hear that OP.
When old employer was bought out they tried to move us on to windows. It was shit. After non stop issues they gave in and let us keep linux.
DFX4509B
in reply to ISolox • • •supersquirrel
in reply to ISolox • • •Jumuta
in reply to supersquirrel • • •user28282912
in reply to ISolox • • •orca
in reply to user28282912 • • •ISOmorph
in reply to user28282912 • • •Lark7380
in reply to ISOmorph • • •ISOmorph
in reply to Lark7380 • • •GitHub - pschneider1968/pihole-bl-msft-telemetry-bsi: Pi-Hole blocklist for hosts involved in Microsoft Windows telemetry, as documented by BSI Bund in Germany
GitHubFrosty
in reply to user28282912 • • •One could hope for a hardware kill-switch on WiFi, but those are increasingly rare. I don't necessarily trust toggling the WiFi slider off actually stops the scanning.
At home I have my PC behind a DMVPN router (being a former network engineer has its perks) and that DMVPN router's "external" link is further segmented on my home network.
Ulu-Mulu-no-die
in reply to user28282912 • • •user28282912
in reply to Ulu-Mulu-no-die • • •the_crotch
in reply to user28282912 • • •This is true of any work device regardless of the OS
just_another_person
in reply to ISolox • • •gist.github.com/camullen/0c41d…
Just cut Windows out as much as possible and run everything in WSL. Setup everything to boot straight to all your WSL layers, and aside from the absolute shit Base OS, it should be the same.
KDE Install on WSL2
Gisthendrik
in reply to ISolox • • •mystic-macaroni
in reply to hendrik • • •atzanteol
in reply to hendrik • • •hendrik
in reply to atzanteol • • •Pommes_für_dein_Balg
in reply to hendrik • • •∟⊔⊤∦∣≶
in reply to ISolox • • •ISolox
in reply to ∟⊔⊤∦∣≶ • • •∟⊔⊤∦∣≶
in reply to ISolox • • •sic_semper_tyrannis
in reply to ISolox • • •ISolox
in reply to sic_semper_tyrannis • • •sic_semper_tyrannis
in reply to ISolox • • •suicidaleggroll
in reply to ISolox • • •I'm sorry to hear that. Our company recently got acquired, and every 4-6 months the new IT team tries to say, "but do you guys really need Linux? What for?". We answer them, in depth, every time, but then it just comes back up a few months later.
I'm scared one of these days they're just going to force the change on us, all productivity will grind to an absolute halt, deliverables will be missed, and eventually they'll backtrack but only after it's too late to recover the programs that got hosed in the process.
tangonov
in reply to suicidaleggroll • • •ozymandias117
in reply to tangonov • • •Although compliance is also a concern.
For us, on our Linux machines, they pay Canonical or RedHat for workstations 🤷♂️
tangonov
in reply to ozymandias117 • • •Pommes_für_dein_Balg
in reply to tangonov • • •ozymandias117
in reply to tangonov • • •tangonov
in reply to ozymandias117 • • •tangonov
in reply to ISolox • • •utopiah
in reply to ISolox • • •Switch workplace.
There are countless ways to bypass that (e.g. docs.linuxserver.io/images/doc… running on a server) but honestly if a workplace does not value your expertise to hone your own tools, they don't really value you as an employee.
webtop - LinuxServer.io
docs.linuxserver.iofortes20_glazier
in reply to ISolox • • •leburb
in reply to ISolox • • •Lettuce eat lettuce
in reply to ISolox • • •Sorry for your loss :( Same thing happened to me about a year ago.
I was the sole IT admin for a small company. Used Debian with KDE on a snappy little Thinkpad. No issues managing all the infra with it, even though most of it was MS trash. I used Reminnia for RDP into the Windows servers, and the Browser for all O365/Entra administration. A Windows 11 VM for the rare times I needed to test Windows-only apps or configs.
Worked like a dream, but then we got bought out by a huge competitor. Their IT team took everything over. I had to decommission my on-prem Linux servers, Ansible automations, Open Project tracking and FOSS ticketing system. Finally, I had to give up my Sweet little Linux Thinkpad and use their standard-issue HP Windows 11 garbage laptop. They were slow, clunky, buggy, and ugly, it was awful.
I quit a few months later after securing the job I have now. It pays about 35% more, has twice as much PTO, and about 50% of my workload is Linux stuff. It's so much better.
My advice, if it's truly non negotiable, install WSL first thing. It's not nearl
... Show more...Sorry for your loss :( Same thing happened to me about a year ago.
I was the sole IT admin for a small company. Used Debian with KDE on a snappy little Thinkpad. No issues managing all the infra with it, even though most of it was MS trash. I used Reminnia for RDP into the Windows servers, and the Browser for all O365/Entra administration. A Windows 11 VM for the rare times I needed to test Windows-only apps or configs.
Worked like a dream, but then we got bought out by a huge competitor. Their IT team took everything over. I had to decommission my on-prem Linux servers, Ansible automations, Open Project tracking and FOSS ticketing system. Finally, I had to give up my Sweet little Linux Thinkpad and use their standard-issue HP Windows 11 garbage laptop. They were slow, clunky, buggy, and ugly, it was awful.
I quit a few months later after securing the job I have now. It pays about 35% more, has twice as much PTO, and about 50% of my workload is Linux stuff. It's so much better.
My advice, if it's truly non negotiable, install WSL first thing. It's not nearly as good as having actual Linux, because it's running inside of Microslop's horrid OS, but it's better than nothing. Try to be an advocate for FOSS at the company, see if you can convince leadership to let you implement Linux-based solutions wherever they might fit, make yourself the de facto expert on them so you at least get to work on Linux and FOSS infra.
Aside from that, start job hunting. Try to find a job that will let you be more Linuxy.
eldavi
in reply to Lettuce eat lettuce • • •the last time i used wsl on a work windows laptop, windows fucked up the virtual disk drive and everything in it was gone.
this was about 5 years ago, so hopefully it's gotten better.
ccunix
in reply to eldavi • • •Honestly WSL2 is pretty good now. I have Fedora running in it and use basically the same config files as my personal laptop. Neovim behaves exactly the same across both. The only problem I have is that CTRL+V get intercepted by the terminal before it get to vim. That means that block visual mode is not available to me.
That and multiple desktops feels REALLY clunky, even compare to Gnome.
eldavi
in reply to ccunix • • •this was was my biggest gripe with wsl because i do 95% of my work with the vim and bash and i'm saddened to learn that it hasn't gotten better.
Lettuce eat lettuce
in reply to eldavi • • •eldavi
in reply to Lettuce eat lettuce • • •what's this?
Lettuce eat lettuce
in reply to eldavi • • •eldavi
in reply to Lettuce eat lettuce • • •Liketearsinrain
in reply to ISolox • • •wewbull
in reply to ISolox • • •Strit
in reply to ISolox • • •I think the problem with Linux in the workplace is that it's hard (read harder than Windows and MacOS) to setup to be managed devices. Especially if the company is a Microsoft shop to begin with. The IT security teams just don't know how to enforce the company policies on Linux machines. Enforce password policy, network credentials and managed apps. It easy with Intune for Windows and Mac. Much harder on Linux.
That's the reason I was given by my work place, when I was "forced" to switch from Linux to Windows.
Frosty
in reply to Strit • • •I'm hearing similar complaints from our IT leadership as well regarding Linux PCs. However, Linux is accepted in R&D labs and the cloud because those are network-segmented spaces with additional perimeter controls.
If true zero-trust ever comes to my company, perhaps they'll be a bit more receptive.
CeeBee_Eh
in reply to Strit • • •Nonsense, MS has an Intune client for Linux.
Too bad. Skill issue. They need to learn how to manage Linux just like any other new tech.
Strit
in reply to CeeBee_Eh • • •I know, I have used it. But it does not enforce any policies. Just tells you if you are compliant or not.
And that's my point. They could do it. Some do. But most companies, in my country at least, pick the easy solution, which is to not support Linux.
ccunix
in reply to CeeBee_Eh • • •ace_garp
in reply to ISolox • • •kylian0087
in reply to ace_garp • • •ace_garp
in reply to kylian0087 • • •Korhaka
in reply to ISolox • • •Ulu-Mulu-no-die
in reply to ISolox • • •Ask your IT to install Virtualbox (or vmware if that's what you have) and go on using Linux inside a VM.
That's what I did. I don't do absolutely everything on Linux because, for example, using MS Office directly on the PC instead of the web version in the VM is much more practical, but I do most things.
Edit: to add: work PC is provided by the company, not my own.
the_crotch
in reply to Ulu-Mulu-no-die • • •melsaskca
in reply to ISolox • • •like this
Infrapink likes this.
axx
in reply to melsaskca • • •Meh, does "the boss" pay you to use a shovel or to dig stuff up?
It's obvious OP is going to be miserable and less productive on Windows, it's not to their employer's benefit for that to happen.
jdnewmil
in reply to axx • • •Boss has different people for different functions within the company. A monoculture is more susceptible to systematic flaws, but it is also less expensive to maintain. It is not OPs place to decide how the company manages is computing facilities, so if WSL or Cygwin are not accepable compromises (OP and company have to both agree) then OP has to decide whether they are willing to go along with Windows or find another job.
Something to talk about during the exit interview anyway.
axx
in reply to jdnewmil • • •You assume a whole lot of thought and strategy from "the boss" :)
I dont disagree though, fundamentally.
FranklyIGiveADarn
in reply to ISolox • • •ISolox
in reply to FranklyIGiveADarn • • •gwl [he/him]
in reply to ISolox • • •Are you sure?
This to me feels like the first of many bad decisions
ISolox
in reply to ISolox • • •Thanks for the info guys, good stuff!
Those of you who are telling me to look for a new workplace over an OS change are a bit crazy though lol. It's not quite that bad.
jtzl
in reply to ISolox • • •Clearly I was not the first with that call to action.
But seriously, Windows is awful. I've had to use it lately, and it's comically bad. Like the OS shows me ads! Wtf!? In Fahrenheit 451, it describes the billboards as longer so you can read them while driving fast on the highway, and I feel like the ads Windows shows are basically a similar type of dystopian. And like, now you can disable more with menus, but then the disable option is like buried somewhere hard to find.
tapdattl
in reply to jtzl • • •RisingSwell
in reply to tapdattl • • •There are programs that control your internet access and if you use one of those programs to say, block almost every windows service, a lot of problems go away.
I didn't do it because windows sucks but it is a nice benefit. Edge auto opens? Cool, it fails because it's barred from internet access. Ads? But no internet so no ads.
Also deals with auto updates from companies that need to fuck off. I guess that's still windows.
kuneho
in reply to ISolox • • •Croquette
in reply to ISolox • • •Depends on what access you have on your PC.
My two steps are always the same
1) debloater
2) i install chocolatey and use that to manage my applications if possible.
Then, depending on your work requirements, I would deactivate OneDrive if not used.
some_guy
in reply to ISolox • • •jtzl
in reply to ISolox • • •psion1369
in reply to ISolox • • •Raccoonn
in reply to ISolox • • •crimsonpoodle
in reply to ISolox • • •HertzDentalBar
in reply to ISolox • • •wickedrando
in reply to HertzDentalBar • • •lmao
gwl [he/him]
in reply to ISolox • • •verdigris
in reply to ISolox • • •Are they making you use your PC? Or is this a work PC that they previously let you install Linux on?
If A, I would refuse to change my personal OS and tell them to either get me a work PC or deal with it. If it's already a work PC, just disable whatever annoyances you're allowed to and deal. 🤷♀️
frog_brawler
in reply to ISolox • • •Karna
in reply to ISolox • • •At workplace, use whatever OS and tools allowed by company policy.
At home, use whatever OS and tools you like.
At least that is how I’m managing it.
gerryflap
in reply to Karna • • •John
in reply to ISolox • • •AVengefulAxolotl
in reply to ISolox • • •Salamander
in reply to ISolox • • •ccunix
in reply to ISolox • • •WSL is reasonable bearable, you can install Fedora instead of the default Ubuntu/Debian too. My work PC started out on 10 and is now on 11. I think I changed the terminal program, but the one I use may be the default in Win11. Honestly, I think the only programs I run outside WSL are a browser, DaVinci Resolve and Reaper (replaced Kdenlive and Ardour, both of which I prefer).
I am able to use the same neovim config on both my home (fedora) and work laptops, which is pretty handy.
At the end of the day it is their computer, not yours.
elucubra
in reply to ccunix • • •Doesn't having WSL under the hood negate Linux's inherent security?
I'd much rather have Windows shit containerized within Linux.
draco_aeneus
in reply to elucubra • • •ccunix
in reply to elucubra • • •It is a VM so fully sandboxed. All the sharing is smoke and mirrors (often in pretty cool ways).
Truth is that security is not OP's problem. Someone else (likely well above their pay grade) is shouldering that responsibility and they have decreed Windows for everyone.
SCmSTR
in reply to ISolox • • •elucubra
in reply to SCmSTR • • •(yeah, yeah, I know where thee door is.)
azvasKvklenko
in reply to ISolox • • •axx
in reply to ISolox • • •How big is said workplace? Can you respectfully ask for an exemption? Don't say Windows will make you miserable (it makes everyone miserable, apart from a few Microsoft bootlickers), talk about loss of productivity, reduced security and increased risk, and – if you can – challenge the grounds on which the change is being made.
Often, they are incapable of providing proper justification for the change. May not help, but you'll have the minor satisfaction of knowing it is bullshit.
FoundFootFootage78
in reply to ISolox • • •ISolox
in reply to FoundFootFootage78 • • •angrox
in reply to ISolox • • •tooralin
in reply to ISolox • • •has some nice and simple buttons for reducing the bullshit.
GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates
GitHubGaumBeist
in reply to ISolox • • •If it's your computer that you bought and legally own, tell them where they can install their Winblows 11. (The nice way to say this is to tell them to requisition you a computer or think of an alternative, because you are not going to use a personal device for company business anyway)
If it's their computer that they own, grin and bare it.