Linux

I run teams and Outlook using versions in electron wrappers. For one drive I have to use the web interface to get to the shared storage because our folks don't know how to set it up and I don't care enough to figure it out for them.

I have one application that I really need to use that I still can't get working in Linux but I'm still trying.

I ran Linux at work up until recently where I found out that they are in the process of changing the network setup, so only systems with a valid certificate can access the network. And they have no plan to support Linux in that setup. So I was kind of forced to switch back to Windows, because my work requires that I can access the local network.

Other than that, I used Linux in a Microsoft Entra/Intune environment with Edge, Teams and Office 365 for a couple of years.

Yes. Its their network and their systems and they pay me to use their tools. Thats the only reason i touch windows.

My last job was with a startup and they let me pick my rig. I went native linux and they all thought i was looney. 3 months later i had converted 2 coworkers to use ubuntu.

I was handed a Windows laptop. I used it for a few weeks and then quietly just upgraded to a personal Linux machine. It's been six months and no one cares. Fine with me.

I actually get forced to use a Chromebook at my current job but it doesn't really change anything since all our software is "in the cloud" accessed through Chrome.

Keep your eye open for opportunities to advocate for Linux in the workplace, change will come.

My work computer runs Windows 11, but our IT guys have turned off pretty much all the annoying bits, so it works pretty OK.

Nope.

My main computer at work is Linux, I do have a Windows build box where I compile code for Windows, and to make my life easier I usually develop it there as well. But outside of platform specific code, or code related to a product that's Windows only, I don't have any issues.

As for other software Teams, slack, zoom, Google meeting and docs work well enough that I can use them daily without issues.

At a previous job for some reason they wanted me to use Windows, which was absurd since I worked on the backend of a site which would only be deployed to Linux, didn't last long in that job after that was made official.

In short, as long as my main machine is Linux, I don't mind having to have a Windows machine to do Windows stuff. But I get annoyed out of my mind if I'm either forced to use Windows as my main OS (it's just not ergonomic for me), especially if there's no reason for it.

I have the option to use WSL at work, it's not perfect but it's so much better than having to code on a glorified web browser.

Yep. I work for a big corporation. It's a very Windows centric shop. I think it's mostly organizational inertia at this point, although our numbers people swear by Excel, they refuse to move off of it. They've done some very elaborate work in Excel.

I just needed a tablet for work so I got a Pixel Tab and put GrapheneOS on it. I installed the app (assuming that's what normal people/workers do) and then they told me they use the web interface as it works better.

My computer at work runs windows. But I bought a cheap KVM switch and use my Linux laptop for all my personal web browsing and slacking off.

Nope. Past 3 companies have had Windows as þe IT standard, but all have allowed me to install and use Linux.

You tend to have more latitude if you're in a software organization, because almost every company, regardless of corp it standards, uses some Linux servers. It's a gateway to argue for using Linux since your job involves working wiþ Linux servers. Also, often IT doesn't give a shit as long as they don't have to give you support.

Mixed bag. I'm lucky enough that most of my work can be done on a Linux machine. Workplace does require us to bring our own devices, but the policy is extremely lax, no need to install any monitoring software or the like. Which lets me have a Linux desktop chilling on my desk.

But I do have to keep a laptop with Windows around. We sometimes have to work with overcomplicated Office documents that break on alternatives like LibreOffice or the occasional piece of proprietary software that needs direct USB access, which Wine cannot yet provide.

Linux is also awesome at work, if your workflow allows for it. Unfortunately, I cannot see the CAD/CAE world switching over (or rather bizarrely, back) to Linux anytime soon.

I've had to kind of strongarm employers a couple times to provide me with a non-Macbook so I could put Linux on it. But usually in my job I can choose what I run.

In my previous job and my job at the bike shop, yes. But I don't really care, its issues aren't my problem.

Most workplaces have switched to the cloud model. Google workspace, MS Teams (or w/e they call their work ecosystem?), Salesforce, etc. Pretty much everything these days runs in the browser. And fortunately almost all browsers run on Linux.

That being said, yes, they may provide hardware, and expect you to use it, and they probably wouldn't allow for you to modify it.

In the past I mostly got to persuade them to allow me to use Linux. In one, however, they got me a macbook, so I resorted to living in the VM most of the time. I had to use xcode for some of the Mac development, but for the rest, I was masochistic enough to be able to withstand living in a VM. Though that mac was Intel based, now ARM ones would likely not perform as good to justify it. Asahi doesn't work on newer ARM Macs AFAIK.

Yeah. After a period of unemployment and having used windows 10 at my previous job I came home after using 11 and told my wife "damn bitch you live like this?" about it

I'm constantly looking for a way to convert the entire office. At the moment, it's 'how to replace Revit' and I found Bonsai but the 2d drawing elements are still being developed. If anyone has any suggestions on BIM software that can use IFC files, I would be most thankful.

Other than that, I'll bet our IT company will advise against using Linux because they won't know how to use it.

No. I would never allow them to force me to use Windows

use what the bossman wants at work.

Yeah.
Thank the gods for Modern Windows Terminal, VSCode and PowerShell.
Now if only someone at Microsoft makes the Virtual Desktop Switching not be slow as balls and makes the Tabs in Explorer suck less, it starts to resemble a sane environment.

Yes, but it's okay. I have low expectations.

I use Windows at work and it reminds me of how much I love Linux.

I think it's certainly possible for us to move away from Windows and Mac, but convincing people isn't easy. The end users would be easiest to convince because most of them are just using the limited array of applications required for the business and don't much care what's under the hood. The people who really need convincing are the reat of local IT support and maybe vendors.

I think the path to broader business adoption of Linux runs through IT support.

Was macos at work, now Linux dev machine. Its a big up.

To be honest, all those are web apps now shrug. Zoom, slack, teams, docs, sheets, , all open in the browser. So IDC what the OS is for them. Linux Zero-Touch deployments are still in progress IMHO so I get why they arent here yet for a lot offices, but we are closer now than ever (thanks atomic OSs!).

If a company is particular about me using Windows for work, I'll be particular about choosing a company that uses Linux for work. But I'm in a unique/privileged position in this regard; my job involves making it easier for people to use Linux for business or personal use.

Yes you are right, usually linux users that are not in IT have no choice but using bad microsoft computers (or Apple for designers/upper upper management) when they are employees.

But if you are general manager, or an independant contractor, you do whatever you want, and I have been on Debian, Void since 3 years now and it is just great.

People complain that "your files are not compatible" (i.e.: their excel version can not open a moderately complex xlsx file), and you use stupidly dumb webapp for Outlook and Teams, but otherwise if you don't need to commit for a specific software (built for windows or mac, like Adobe suite, 2D or 3D CAD softwares, some kind of old school ERP or CRM), you are all good. Basically everything done by management staff can be done using LibreOffice.

The "cloud revolution" at least has given us this good result : you can have basic business utilities solved through a webclient, hence GNU/Linux OS is ok to work with.