• 6 Posts
  • 21 Comments
Joined 1 month ago
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Cake day: May 23rd, 2024

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  • Windows XP, but it was during its ending phase, so I think it really was Vista. My first Linux distro was Kali Linux because I wanted to be a cool hacker when I was a kid. I never got too much into it then, though. I then found Ubuntu, and strangely enough, I switched to Trisquel, which wasn’t too bad. I decided to go all the way and buy a T400 with Libreboot/Trisquel when I was about 15 years old and used that as my second computer for about two years. I learned how to start installing Libreboot myself. It was a really fun experience (not really, there was a lot of quitting and crying), but it taught me more about GNU and the entire philosophy. I started to learn more about GNU and RMS when I was 18. Now I’m 20 and use Arch. The end.



  • gnutard@sh.itjust.worksOPtoAsklemmy@lemmy.mldeleted
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    19 days ago

    The whole point of this post was to get advice, not to be insulted. I’m new to the field, and documenting everything is a valuable lesson I’ve learned. My boss can be unpredictable, and there’s no good reason for not upgrading a system that only runs a single program and has significant security risks. I already plan to send the CYA email tomorrow and then drop it.

    I’m not going over anyone’s head. The employee who needs the machine is the one asking for the upgrade because it’s impacting his work. He’s been requesting it for 8 months. Your attitude is unhelpful, and you’re making faulty conclusions. Just because I’m new doesn’t mean I don’t have valid concerns.

    I’m looking for advice to handle this professionally, not to be made to feel bad for asking for help. Maybe next time, try offering constructive advice instead of acting superior.


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    20 days ago

    There is no cost to upgrade it; they sent me a guide to download and install the software. The employee who must use this machine to do his work said he will call my boss and tell him directly. If my boss still refuses, he said he will call the VP, who is my boss’s superior. This employee has been with the company for a very long time, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. Should I still send the email?


  • gnutard@sh.itjust.worksOPtoAsklemmy@lemmy.mldeleted
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    20 days ago

    My boss didn’t exactly state the reason why. He said the machine cannot be down at all, yet when I visited yesterday, the computer was crashing all day. They had to turn it off over 10 times. I told him the software vendor confirmed compatibility with Windows 10, and I forwarded the upgrade guide. Still, he refuses to grant permission. I checked the Windows 7 system last month, and it’s only running this one program with no other software or files. It’s a default Windows 7 setup with just this program. The program can be set up the exact same way on the new computer.




  • gnutard@sh.itjust.worksOPtoAsklemmy@lemmy.mldeleted
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    22 days ago

    I appreciate the advice. My boss told me today not to ask again about upgrading the desktop and was visibly angry. I’m planning to email him saying I have a preconfigured Windows 10 replacement ready, but I haven’t touched the current setup as per his instructions. If the current computer breaks, we can swap it quickly. Is this a good approach?


  • gnutard@sh.itjust.worksOPtoAsklemmy@lemmy.mldeleted
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    22 days ago

    Should I start searching now or wait until I get my Network+? I have my A+ right now, but I’m probably not going to get my Network+ until 3 months later. I have 3 months on the job here so far, I’m 20 years old and get paid $55k/year.


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    19 days ago

    Thanks for your advice. Just to clarify, this is about replacing a desktop, not a laptop. My boss got really angry and explicitly told me not to ask again, but I feel I need to get this in writing for my own protection. This job pays well for my age, and I am worried about getting fired, but I also know this is a matter of when, not if, a security issue will occur.

    I’m planning on bringing up a 9020 Optiplex with Coreboot and TianoCore installed. I have already installed Coreboot on some of the other systems and made sure the chip is locked down. I have a fresh Windows 10 installed on it using our volume license USB. The 9020 is pretty standard at our location. It’s $50, but I’ll just do it for my job’s sake. This employee has been asking for a new computer for 2 8 months, and he really needs it.



  • Actually, Linux is just the kernel, not the whole OS. The full operating system is called GNU/Linux because it combines the Linux kernel with GNU tools. Teaching people about GNU and why it was made is important. It’s not just about using software but understanding the freedoms behind it – the freedom to use, study, modify, and share. Free Software is about more than just open-source, it’s about user freedom, and that’s a crucial distinction. Now, I’m not forcing you to say GNU/Linux, I say Linux most of the time myself, but you should still teach people about GNU.