Security vs. Usability: The Case for OS-Agnostic Remote Work

After a while of using a work issued small form desktop at work than ran Windows 11 for almost 6 months, and then coming back to using my Linux Mint laptop, I got reminded why I preferred using Linux Mint at work.

For my work, I had to access a remote desktop. As such, the OS that my computer runs locally doesn't really matters while there is app available to access the remote desktop without issues from any place with an Internet connection. Which I was able to do for more than a couple of years, until a boss decided that the only way we could connect to the remote desktop and print, was only to be done on a Windows computer at the local network.

Which has come to bite us several times over the last year and a half, specially since only a couple of accounts can make the invoices needed to send our clients orders and at times only one of us was at the office and could not invoice and print them.

The main reason cited for the change was network security, which for us was a non issue since to login to the remote desktop the IT department has to issue a hardened account with password to each user, and the permission to the account to be able to access the printer.  As such, the access to the printer is not only secure, but also restricted to only those who actually need to be able to print. Those who can't, have to ask someone who can by policy.

Not only that, some of us who use the system and need to print have more capable computers than the ones that the company can issue us. And the server, and software we use, require that each computer to be added to the whitelist to be able to connect to the server. Which means that someone leaves the company, and used his own computer to work, that machine can taken off the white list, and be denied access even if they for some reason still have their individual  user and password on their machine afterwards.

Personally, taking away the chance of each employee to connect to the server with the computer they already bring with them when is safe to do so, is something that doesn't make sense. Doing so, is denying people doing their best work with the tool that allows them to do so. If people can do their work bringing their own devices, they should be allowed to do so. Specially on post that you know they can be trusted to do it in the best way possible, and there are ways to set restrictions in such a way they can only access what they need to do their job.

Not only that, when they bring a laptop or tablet, that allows them to do their job from wherever they are at any given time. is a change to offer flexibility to that employee and/or have some insurance that they would be able to continue do the job if they can make it to the office sometimes.

Even if by company policy, employees need to come in to the office, being able to work remotely if there is the need means that work won't come to a stop if something unforeseen happens. It give everyone involved the certainty that things can be done even if the unexpected happen.

It is sad to see companies not allowing their employees do their best work because they don't use the tech at hand to its full potential. In a way, they are leaving money at the table, because their employees can't solve problems or find ways to work focused to giving the best they can. If employees aren't allowed to use their tools to their full potential in a way that lets their creativity to solve problems for the costumer the company loses.

Tech should be at the service of the employees, so they can actually do their best for the benefit of the consumer that will use the services of the company more often in a recurring way. People make businesses great, but only if given the best tools possible. 

Why Linux Mint is My Daily Driver for Home, Work, and Everything in Between

I've keep using Linux Mint on the laptops I use every day, because its focus on ease of use, stability, and that it can be set to look and feel as each user wants to set it up. Which means instead of getting in the users way, each user can actually focus on doing what they want to do on their computer.

Either you use it for work, or play, Linux Mint has proven to be a solid choice for beginner and advanced user that want to set their computer once, and forget about it. And while there are other Linux distros with a focus on packaging the most bleeding edge software, or more advanced users, I've found that Linux Mint is the right balances of being stable and user friendly, with adding new tech and software only when is ready.

That is why I see Linux Mint as one of the best options for home users, and professionals, that need an OS that is stable, easy to use, and modern. These three things are vital for end users, since it allows them to either use new computers, or give longer use to older ones, according to their needs.

With time, more apps are coming to Linux in general, and Linux Mint benefits from this being based on Ubuntu, with a Debian based option available. Ubuntu, and Debian, are two of the most popular Linux distros, which means that developers taken them into account when bringing their apps to Linux. It is also important, that Linux Mint is also on the top ten most popular distros, making it also important to consider.

It also means that what works for Ubuntu, or Debian, also works for Linux Mint in most cases. Which makes the resources pool even bigger in terms of software, and support, the user gets when needed. Also that Linux Mint supports Flatpak, a software deployment and package management utility for Linux, out of the box is an advantage since is becoming a popular way with app developers to publish their apps on Linux. Mainly because the more people develop, and use, Flatpak apps, more Linux distros will use them to serve software to their users.

Linux Mint is a solid base for the computer needs of home users, professional users, and small businesses that need a stable and easy to use OS that work for, and with, them. This is why is the Linux distro I recommend, and want to help people to learn how to use to the best of their abilities to do their best work, and live their best digital life.

The Missing Link: Why Linux Needs a Human Touch to Go Mainstream

As a Linux Mint user for five years, and used Ubuntu for other about eight years before, I have seen Linux getting better and more user friendly with time. While there are some distros like Arch, that require more technical know-how, there are distros like Linux Mint and Zorin OS that are great for people who are new to Linux, or just want an OS that doesn't need to get their hands into the technical side of managing their computer.

Yet, it is hard to make people that haven't used Linux Mint, or other distro like it, to see that it is quite an easy OS by anyone no mater how much technical knowledge they have. While there is some learning curve when jumping to from Windows, it isn't as big as many think. Because basically the mayor changes are some of the names of the apps that used to administrate the OS use. Installing apps, are least the most commonly used, can be used via the software manager which uses a graphical interface for the install, and uninstall, process.

Even if there is a need to use the terminal, there are easy to use guides to help out. But,those cases are becoming less common, since Linux distros that focus on being user friendly are working on making apps available on their software managers to be installed easy via a graphic interface. Which is important, because people coming from Windows to Linux are used doing so.

I feel what is also missing from more adoption, is making new users welcomed. Specially those who aren't technically savvy.  Without them, the adoption of Linux will be minimal since those are the most the of the user base. There is a need to create a way that makes the jump easier, by making them feel welcome and helping them along.

How do we help them? By pointing them to the tools they need to solve the problems that come up, and actually help them step-by-step when they need that help. Not everyone was the same level of knowledge, or has the time or want, to get that knowledge. 

By making it easy not only to make the jump, but to stay, the current user will benefit from having more people using a Linux distro. Because with more users, Linux will become a OS that more apps developers will target. Not only corporate, but also independent developers, since there will be people to support their apps. By creating a bigger market, and ecosystem, for users for apps on Linux the more will it become an option for more people.

I would also want to see physical places set up to help people out when they face a problem.. While online tools are available, and there are great, they still don't create the level of trust that having a person beside you helping, and teaching you, best practices and how to make the most out of your computer. From how to use certain apps the best ways, to how to create hem, there is lot of ways these places can help making Linux a trusted OS for more people. With this, more manufactures will have more motives to sell their computers with Linux preinstall. Maybe not all of them, but at least the more popular ones. Some might sell computers with no OS, allowing users install their own when they buy it. Another way physical places can help out people who choose to go that way.

At the end of the day, computers and software are tools used by people to do something. Either it is for work, or for leisure, the tool they choose has to work for them without getting in the way, or having to learn how to do everything to use it. Some just want to get the apps they need ready to be used, and the OS they run on doesn't get in the way.  Linux can be that, and still have a place for those who like to build their OS and computer from the ground up.

That is the power of Linux, it has the power to be the tool any user needs and can use. 

The OS-Agnostic Revolution: How Web Apps Make Switching Easy

With web apps becoming more common as time goes on, it makes ditching proprietary software possible for more people. Mainly because web apps just require a web browser to make use of them, making it easy not having to install the app itself on your computer to use it.

Since web standards are open, it means that people can access their any web app from their preferred web browser from any computer. Not only that, since most modern operating systems have a way to treat web apps as native apps, users should not notice any difference between them. You click on the icon on the desktop, or start menu, and the app opens as any other app.

This is extremely important for web apps becoming more widely used, and adopted by software developers, because it take most of the friction out of its use.

The downside of web apps having to have the computer to be online to be used is becoming less relevant, since data can be stored locally and synced once an Internet connection is made. This makes its just as useful as native apps, since they don't need to hace Internet access to be used, with the added benefit that the data the web app uses can be synced with several computers, or other devices, the user chooses to sync with.

Most importantly, web apps are OS agnostic. This mean, quite importantly, that web apps can be accessed via any web browser independent of which OS is used to run said browser. All that is needed is that the browser supports web standards, which most modern web browsers do. Which will push developers to implement open standards to target as many people as possible.

Another benefit of web apps, is that it could help making developers used to develop cross platform apps because they become used to develop with open standards. Which could mean that more native apps could be developed in a way that they could run on more operating systems without much problem. While this won't mean more people making the jump to Linux, or macOS, from Windows, it will make the jump much easier for those who choose to make it.

This benefits user, since it would make Microsoft to actually compete with Apple, and Linux distros, to keep users from jumping.

Web apps might be what open source software needs to become more widely use, by making users less dependent on native apps and by helping developers to become more confortable using open standards and developing cross platform apps. Also to help develop the tools, and estandarizase them, so cross platform software development becomes the norm.

Time will tell if this is the future we are looking for, but I'm quite hopeful it will be.