Businesses should dump Windows for the Linux desktop

The Register ^ | 10 August 2022 | Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

[ShadowAce]

I've been preaching the gospel of the Linux desktop for more years than some of you have been alive. However, unless you argue that the Linux desktop includes Android smartphones and ChromeOS laptops, there will be no year of the Linux desktop.

But there should be. For example, as GitLab recently revealed in its onboarding document for employees, staffers can run macOS, and they can run Linux on their desktops. But Windows? Forget about it!

Why? GitLab explained: "Due to Microsoft Windows' dominance in desktop operating systems, Windows is the platform most targeted by spyware, viruses, and ransomware."

Today's Windows is still built on a standalone PC operating system foundation. It was never, ever meant to work in a networked world. So, security holes that existed back in the day of Windows for Workgroups, 1991, are still with us today in 2022 and Windows 11.

Most of these problems come down to Windows having Interprocess Communications (IPCs) that move information from one program to another, which have no security in their design. Windows and its applications rely on these procedures to get work done. Over the years, they've included Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs), Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Control Extension (OCXs), and ActiveX. No matter what they're called, they do the same work, and they do it with no regard for security.

Adding insult to injury, Microsoft's data formats can hold programming macros. That's why Microsoft Office formats are commonly used to transmit malware. Microsoft finally bought a clue that they should block Office from running macros by default. I mean, this has only been a major security hole since Melissa wreaked havoc on the Windows world in 1999.

But guess what? Showing that Microsoft still doesn't know how to fix this fundamental security problem, the team in Redmond HQ have rolled back the Office macro block. Why? Because people use those IPCs to get work done. Given a choice between security and having applications work as expected, Microsoft often chooses the insecure status quo.

Making matters worse, another problem with Windows' single-user ancestry is that the default Windows user all too often must run as the all-powerful PC administrator. This means, of course, that when malware does break in – and it will – it gets to foul up everything and anything on a user's PC.

Now, you might ask, but what business uses Windows Home for work? Cheap ones do. And, if your people are working from home with their own PCs, as so many are these days, they are almost certainly not running Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise E5. And, even if your business is reimbursing your remote staffers, what do you think they'll buy? As GitLab knows to its sorrow, they'll typically be purchasing a laptop preloaded with Windows Home Edition.

So, instead, GitLab demands that its employees use either macOS or a Dell Linux laptop. As a long-time fan of Dell's XPS 13 developer Linux laptops, that works for me. Now, you don't have to run Ubuntu, which is the default Dell XPS 13 operating system, as Dell also supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Workstation – also a fine desktop operating system. Or you could opt for Arch Linux, or FreeBSD, or what-have-you, so long as it's actively updated and supported.

But, I'm sorry to say, GitLab won't support you with your Linux desktop. You'll need to do that yourself. Darn it.

I and many other Linux users can do that, but not everyone can. I understand why GitLab does it this way. Supporting end users is expensive. I'm sure most of their users work with Macs.

But, let's say you haven't decided to go with Macs, which are, after all, expensive. Let's say you're still using Windows. That's a safe bet. But if you really want security and stability, Linux is your best choice. So take a look at what you're paying for Windows licenses, support, and your often futile attempts to secure it. Then, look at what it would cost to use a business-supported Linux distribution such as RHEL Workstation, Canonical Ubuntu Desktop for the Enterprise, or SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED).

Chances are it will be cheaper to go with Linux. And no matter how the numbers work out, I can guarantee you it will be far more secure. ®

[ShadowAce]

[UB355]

no

[who_would_fardels_bear]

"The" Linux desktop?

More like "a" Linux desktop, and good luck getting everyone to sign up to the same one.

Yes, businesses will punt and settle for Red Hat, but the Linux fanatics will shed oceans of tears.

[Pollard]

There’s a reason the internet runs mostly on Linux.

[antidemoncrat]

“Businesses should dump Windows for the Linux desktop”

That should have happened around the time the first version of windows came out around 1985

[dayglored]

Linux replacing Windows ? ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to ShadowAce for the ping!

[dayglored]

Great troll post! I pinged the Windows list, should be interesting.... :-)

[Jamestown1630]

We’ve been very happy with ‘Mint’. Never really missed anything about MS Windows.

[MichaelRDanger]

There’s a reason the internet runs mostly on Linux.

Because it's a good server O/S but a poor (!) workstation O/S? Anyone with even passable IT skills can keep a Windows machine running well and keep it secure. Running Windows opens up a world of programs than can only be run on Linux with difficulty...

[ShadowAce]

Yes, businesses will punt and settle for Red Hat...

How is Red Hat "settling?" It's an excellent OS--very stable, robust, capable, and supported.

...but the Linux fanatics will shed oceans of tears.

Why?

[kiryandil]

Just test-driving Windows 11.

As usual, 7,000 useless processes are running in the background, dragging down the performance of my "new" machine, so now I have to go into the Windows garden and weed out the cr@p.

I'm a computer guy.

I just wonder what ordinary people do. Grin and bear it?

[ShadowAce]

I just wonder what ordinary people do. Grin and bear it?

I guess. I don't run Windows :)

[Brian Griffin]

My Windows 10 machine can lock up when it wants to do an update.

I can lose an half hour worth or work if I forget to save more often.

[Dr. Sivana]

Today's Windows is still built on a standalone PC operating system foundation.

I disagree. Today's Windows really owes little to Windows for Workgroups or any of of the 16 bit Windows. Its roots are in Windows NT/Wondows 2000 which was written from the ground up.

One of the main reasons I switched to Linux is actually BECAUSE Linux is more of a standalone environment if you want it to be. Windows opens all the windows (no pun intended) to the Internet by default, largely to Cortana and Office 365 and subscriptions and mandatory updates and OneDrive.

My Ubuntu suggests uopdates sometimes to be sure, but I never have to install them. They also don't require a reboot. They also don't undo my background and dozens of settings that were tweaked (Microsoft's defaults, like maximize graphic experience on servers and turn off showing extensions on servers) are remarkable in how wrong-headed they are.

So, yay Linux for the desktop, imperfect as it is. But yay, because it ISN'T just a network environment system. It is customizeable from kiosques to phones to laptops to DataCenter appliances to massive web farms and yes to desktops and workstations.

[Brian Griffin]

The Dell Linux laptops seem to be far more expensive than typical Windows PCs.

[ShadowAce]

The Dell Linux laptops seem to be far more expensive than typical Windows PCs.

When we were looking for a replacement for my wife, I noticed that also.

So I bought a cheaper Dell laptop, ensured the hardware was working correctly, wiped Windows, and installed Fedora.

She's been happy ever since.

[Brian Griffin]

I can type a few thousand Russian characters a day and Windows can decide to remove my Russian (and Arabic) character access (and on-screen keyboard frequent program access), even though it retains Japanese IME access.

[Terry L Smith]

ok questions .... if i have all my files on portable hard drives, win10, how will i access that when i switch my laptop to linux ... no dvd drive model?

how to change laptop to linux, load it, run it and watch the magic?

[so_real]

Anyone with even passable IT skills can keep a Windows machine running well and keep it secure.

I agreed with you up until the "keep it secure" part. Without deep pockets it is *impossible* to keep Microsoft out of your data. And without considerable knowledge and effort it is difficult to keep Microsoft's business partners out of your data. Yes, you need a *good* corporate Linux guy to keep your data safe. But it is entirely possible (with a nod to the legitimate systemd concerns). I've run linux desktop since early Linux Mint 13, now running Devuan, and have never looked back.

Just my $0.02