this post was submitted on 28 Oct 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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I'm getting sick every day at this Microsoft Windows slowness and bloat. I am trying to use as much Linux VMs as possible. I feel so unproductive on Windows. I also tried installing Linux on the office laptop. The problem is that Windows is officialy supported and the Linux is DYI. Once the IT departament changes it will sync up with Windows but Linux can be broken and you are no longer able to work. Next job I want to have full Linux laptop or at least Mac.

Besides:

  • Microsoft Office
  • Active Directory
  • Some proxy and VPN bullshit

Everything seems manageable and even better on Linux.

What is your experience?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

Most tech people actually use macs, because corporations prefer them for their tech employees, while the normal employees usually use Windows. Very few corps support linux on the desktop for their admins -- even if their infrastructure is all on linux.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I used to have a Linux laptop at work. I was even allowed to install my chosen distro. Then the IT department said "we don't really know Puppet or how to manage Linux, but we know JAMF, so you're all getting Macs now."

My job satisfaction has gone down since then. However, in more positive news, they did end up giving away the old Linux laptops to the employees when they moved office.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It is always interesting to me that companies can afford new Macs but not use old laptops for Linux.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

It’s a support question. It may cost $2k more for a Mac, but if it’s officially supported, auto patched, remote managed and they can prove it with security tools, force patching and restrict users, use standard well known tools for compliance and security monitoring/administration/etc, they will easily save thousands in corp licensing, training costs and legal costs. That $2k+ really becomes negligible.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

You wish. Most tech companies will get you the cheapest laptop they can get away with.

I remember being denied a 64bit laptop when developing a 64bit only application lol.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Any source on that mac claim? I've not seen any proof of that at all.

(Edit: To clarify, I know people are saying they use MacOS here, but I don't think the claim that most tech people in corporate settings use MacOS to be true. I only have my personal experience in a very large corporate environment, and am asking for information as every team I've worked with was using Windows.)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I am a software developer and work on Kubernetes based project.

I was given a Mac laptop when I joined. It was a few OS releases behind, because corporate IT didn’t support newer versions.

Macs have to run some sort of VM to do docker based development.

VMs are not that great.

When time came, I requested a Windows laptop. I installed Debian on WSL 2. Then got it to run systemd properly and installed Docker on WSL. Then vscode on windows host with remote ssh into WSL.

Vscode ssh integration is probably best least known feature of vscode. However, initial connection setup always requires tweaking to get that best experience.

By the way, official docker setup is through VM on windows. WSL is not a recommended route, but one can get it working.

This setup beats Mac any day for me.

I wish I could run Linux on work laptop, but corporate IT doesn’t know how to deal with it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I used to live in the bay area. Know lots of people in tech companies. Most are on macs.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Meanwhile folks I work with Linux is basically seen as a must (if not specifically NixOS). You are on your own if you want to use OSs that don’t work well with Nix since there is too much value in immutable builds to warrant supporting your proprietary setup. Most ended up switching to or getting a second laptop for Linux.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Shame but understandable.