Hello all! I began working today, where the work is closely related to programming. Despite this, the work computer is set up as Windows (eww). I want to look for work-arounds, as installing linux on a work machine is a no-go.

I wonder, what is the way to minimize pain from having to use windows? Either that, or a way to maximize work done on linux-like stuffs. A linux server is given for us, and I think I can install WSL. Any recommendations on this setup?

Especially, I miss the virtual desktop feature, is there any way to use it? Is there a way I can run compositor through WSL? Also, should I install Pop! OS for the feature, or is it available on e.g. Ubuntu (default WSL)?

Sorry to ask a non-exclusively-linux question, but I think, hopefully, many linux people have experience to give me pointers what to do with a windows work environment.

EDIT: The Windows is Windows 10. EDIT: It seems like using WSL is servicable, while being janky at times. Gotta see how it goes.

  • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe
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    2 months ago

    Why aren’t you discussing this with your leadership?

    If you’re doing Linux dev work, there must be a reason your team is using Windows, and they have process around dev tasks. And your team must have process/tools for what your role does.

    This seems very much like an internal discussion around what your team does.

    • mox@lemmy.sdf.org
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      2 months ago

      +1 for bringing it up as serious discussion.

      The last time I had to ask permission for something like this, the issue turned out to be simply that the IT staff wasn’t trained in Linux and therefore couldn’t support it. I was more than capable of administering my own Linux box and ensuring that it wouldn’t become a risk to our company network, so we agreed that I would do that.

      It was a win-win result: I had the tool I needed to be most productive, and IT had fewer machines to support.

    • someacnt@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      2 months ago

      I see, I gotta talk about it with the leadership. For context, my work is just a small university lab (5~20 people), so I expect it to be less organized.

      • BatmanAoD@programming.dev
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        2 months ago

        Actually, it’s pretty surprising to me that a small university lab is forcing a specific version of a specific OS on you.

        • someacnt@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          1 month ago

          It is not forcing per se, it’s just that the computer comes with Windows pre-installed, and I am worried that changing it will cause more issues than it’s worth.

        • someacnt@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          1 month ago

          I seem to have irrational hatred on Windows.

          Besides, there is programming work which is conducted entirely on linux server.