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!?

  • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
    28·
    4 months ago

    Tangential:

    I‘m running my own IT company since recently and am transitioning to exclusively using FOSS. I still have some things I need to work around like my iOS phone. It already has a linux successor but its not finished yet. Pretty promising though. My plan is to put a fixed percentage of profits to open source projects.

    • fellowmortal@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
      12·
      4 months ago

      This is not tangental - I am heartened, my hope is that this would become normal. Despite my moan, it isn’t that bad and I’m sure I would have had different IT headaches on windows - security comes to mind.

      I still use proprietary android software on my phone, but I try not to do anything secure on my phone (this is also getting harder as banks are insisting that I convert to apps)

      • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
        5·
        4 months ago

        Thanks! I‘m currently working with a customer who uses microsoft cloud stuff and windows. Honestly, I would have been done with my work after 20 minutes if he were on linux. Instead I‘m at 8 hrs and a full blown storage solution just because his hardware is incompatible with each other die to windows/microsoft BS.

        I can not stress this enough: there are lots of issues on windows which require costly support while the issues on linux usually require a search engine or a friend with some linux experience.

        The downside of postmarketOS at this point is the camera functionality. We need to get that working and we‘re golden. On the oneplus 6 I‘m working, its the only major thing that doesnt work. Otherwise the phone is pretty ready.

        • Elise@beehaw.org
          1·
          4 months ago

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

          • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
            2·
            4 months ago

            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.

            • Elise@beehaw.org
              1·
              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.

              • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
                2·
                4 months ago

                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.

                • Elise@beehaw.org
                  1·
                  4 months ago

                  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.