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!?
Its a oneplus 6 with postmarketOS.
Sweet
Oh I have another question. How do you deal with those elevated Java apps on the sim? If you’re privacy focused I mean.
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.
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.
Yeah, thats not what I‘m going for. I know about ime and that some disable it which makes sense imo. But I have to look for business opportunities so I dont focus on hackers with a freedom knack. I go for small businesses that can be swayed for healthier decisions, making them money and preserving an isle of control around them.
I‘m talking nextcloud instead of m365, open source crms and erps, on premise solutions. I am very low level compared to other IT firms but going that deep will destroy my momentum.
Ya you definitely have to pick your battles! I just use plain Samsung android with a sim and am aware of the vulnerabilities it creates. I see it as a low security device, so it can’t just access everything willy nilly. I also work with XR and I am not sure if all the stuff works properly if I’d pick a different solution. I think it’s best to remain practical and keep moving, but to invest a bit of time over the years, which has good results for me.