this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2024
288 points (98.0% liked)

Linux

48144 readers
717 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
288
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

I've run a small business for over 10 yeas. I use linux. I'm grateful to the community and I use FOSS where possible.

I have had some issues over the years, but have always been able to get around them (except CAD in 2013), but recently I've had issues with my government (UK). First they introduced 'making tax digital' and told me for years that I would have to buy windows only software (there was no legal option on linux until a few weeks before the deadline (https://www.comsci.co.uk/100PcVatFreeBridge saved the day). The UK Government didn't create a free solution or any route to that as they don't want the source to be open for making tax digital so accounting software companies have made a killing!

This week my internet banking stopped allowing payments, it no longer works in firefox (I'm guessing). On the telephone they asked me 'what search engine I was using'^+^ and advised to use google.

What is the best UK business bank to use if you use linux to run a small business? Do I have to use Chrom(e)ium? Does anyone else use linux for business admin? Is anyone (Freesoftware foundation, etc) thinking about the creeping legislative changes that make it literally illegal to use FOSS and linux?

I wanna be an ally, but its so tiring.

^+^ browser ≠ search engine. Yes, I'm pedantic, at least I didn't confuse them by saying 'quant' or 'duck duck go', OK!?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Its a oneplus 6 with postmarketOS.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Oh I have another question. How do you deal with those elevated Java apps on the sim? If you're privacy focused I mean.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Sorry, no idea what you mean. I use the phone the same way I use my computer. I'm sticking to stuff that would probably pop up if it were to get compromised, otherwise I dont bother.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Ah I mean when you buy for example an Intel CPU it has IME enabled. Some vendors turn this off for you, because doing it at home can brick it. For phones you have some kind of micro Java running on the sim chip and it has full system access and can be patched remotely. I haven't looked into a real solution yet, but you can also use a solution where the sim is connected via USB. Or don't use one. There might be other hardware vulnerabilities, but that's one I know of.