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Ask HN: Linux at work revoked due to MDM, how to fight?

1 points by aleda145 ↗ HN
I'm a software engineer that likes Linux.

My employer is going all in on their B2B strategy. We're implementing full mobile device management. I just got news that I will need to hand in my laptop EOY and get a Mac instead.

I'm of course a little upset. I had a verbal agreement with my former manager (he has quit) that I would get a Linux laptop when I signed.

I'm not sure what the best way to make my case is. I don't want to be combative (Linux or I quit!). I don't want to make the IT department lose face by questioning them picking a MDM vendor without Linux support.

Has anyone been in this situation? All help appreciated!

Workplace: used to be a unicorn startup, did some layoffs. about 500~ people now. A handful Linux users (1%)

9 comments

[ 0.32 ms ] story [ 3.7 ms ] thread
akagusu
I will be honest with you.

Companies just want an excuse to layoff people. Don't give one to them.

Just use whatever machine they give you and buy yourself a new Linux machine.

prologic
You can't, and you should not fight this. Just use the machine(s) they give you, accept the MDM.
aleda145
Yeah deep down I know you're right

:(

sscaryterry
Remember. Linux is a kernel. You can get the macOS userland to behave GNU/Linux like. Use homebrew :)
stop50
If you are promised something, then get a paper trail. My company wanted me to support windows. I rejected every new contract where windows support is included. in the worstcase the manager can lie before the court without consequences.
OsrsNeedsf2P
Linux lover here. I've changed jobs over not being able to use Linux. Unfortunately, that is hard to do in this market.

Compliance, however, is annoying (and mostly bullshit), but it's required for signing massive contracts. So unless you can work within their compliance systems (I.e figure out which auditor/platform they're using), your argument about "my manager said" is gonna fall on deaf ears.

naishoya
> I had a verbal agreement with my former manager

Yeah, these are worth exactly as much as they weigh in fractions of a short tonne.

Take this as a learning experience, and accept that al least for now, you may be in the position to afford your own Linux capable machine for personal use.

This may actually help you in the sometimes difficult task of maintaining a durable firewall between 'personal' and 'work' digital worlds. If your work machine is not even an OS you would use for personal projects, this can keep your personal productivity from creeping into the machine which is co-owned by work and their MDM vendor.

Later, when you have your own 'unicorn' idea, work won't have any claim on it being a product of employment, and the time tracking that comes with MDM can be your fortress of proof. All of your compensated time can be accounted for with the work done on the machine they own and none of your pet project will be in that time or equipment.

Also, if || when the (new) management approach reaches it's 'halt and catch fire' stage, you wont find your personal digital assets suddenly locked behind a user:pass that no longer function.