My Job MAY Require Me to Use Nonfree Software...HELP !!!!!
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Okay, so I'm aiming to go on a 7-day diet of nonfree software, just to see what life would be like without it. This means no Microsoft, Google, Nintendo, or Apple. (Facebook I quit YEARS ago). This means I would only entertain myself with music CDs and video DVDs (unless they have encryption one them), and not using the web browser due to freedom issues on websites.
But there's one problem...my upcoming job may have a chance in requiring I use Windows, Microsoft word, etc. And I need Gmail to contact them, not to mention my phone has Android on it as they need to call me for stuff. Now, it's a custodial/janitorial job, there I don't have an excessive need to use a computer. But in the case any of these things come up...what are your thoughts?
Only "use" non-free software when you are really forced to do so. (You can't use them. You can only be used by them.)
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Gmail can be used in freedom via POP/IMAP and an email programme such as Thunderbird.
Do they block non-Gmail emails? I know Google is taking over the world when it comes to email, but there are still tons of normies who use other providers. Surely any employer would understand that?
By the way, I don't concern myself with software on the computers at work. Walmart's computers all run Windows, which I think is unfortunate. But they're not my computers, so it's not my business to say what should and shouldn't be on them.
I would say that the big problem area when it comes to most jobs is actually the application process. Most online applications (which are required these days; most employers don't take paper applications anymore) require JavaScript code to work. Long-term, the solution to that would be to get rid of JavaScript from the Web (which would incidentally also solve tons of other problems at the same time). I'm working on a new set of articles outlining how and why to do that. In the short-term, though, there's not much you can do; you presumably need the job, after all.
> I know Google is taking over the world when it comes to email, but there are still tons of normies who use other providers. Surely any employer would understand that?
It might not be for email. I've been asked to use a Gmail account to collaboratively edit spreadsheets. It's difficult to persuade anyone to use a free replacement when they are used to doing the majority of their computing through Screwgle Drive.
> I would say that the big problem area when it comes to most jobs is actually the application process.
Several months ago my friend applied for a job for which the application required a Farcebook acccount.
> Long-term, the solution to that would be to get rid of JavaScript from the Web (which would incidentally also solve tons of other problems at the same time). I'm working on a new set of articles outlining how and why to do that.
Getting rid of JS would be wonderful for many reasons. I hope you'll post links to your articles when they're ready.
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>I'm working on a new set of articles outlining how and why to do that.
I couldn't agree more with you about javascript and I too impatiently wait for your text.
o/
About the DRM on video DVDs, the "libdvdcss2" package can break it. That package is not in Trisquel's repository to avoid legal troubles. Here are the instructions to get it: https://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html
At the beginning it happened also to me, but I installed a vm with Debian and 99% of my time I was on the vm. Windows was used only to interface to some company services.
Now instead the company allow to use non managed devices so a full linux machine. Try to speak with the IT office of your company. That may help.
Look at every such job as an opportunity to spread the good news about libre software. Most people don't even know libre software exists. Use their work computer, but take every opportunity to show them the virtues of libre software, and to show them how libre software can keep pace with (and sometimes run circles around) proprietary offerings.
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Considering that your job primarily has nothing to do with a computer, and that computer use will no doubt be minimal, I'd say any incidental operation of propretary software on their time will be understandable.
Your phone doesn't need Android. My phone doesn't have an operating system. It gets plugged into the wall and works even during this snow storm we have in the Midwest right now.
If you must use Word:
- Do it on their computer only.
- Do it on their time only.
- Do no more than what they say you must do.
It's their computer. You have no rights on it, even if it were running Trisquel with LibreOffice.
If you must use Gmail:
- Do it on their computer only.
- Do it on their time only.
- Do no more than what they say you must do.
If you must use Gmail away from the job site:
- Use Gmail through IceDove/Thunderbird.
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