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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Asking for a Linux (or non-Windows) laptop during a job interview? (self.linux)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by flakpanzer to c/[email protected]

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I'm interviewing for a software dev job currently (it's in the initial stages). If things work out, I'd absolutely prefer a work laptop with Linux installed (I personally use PopOS but any distro will do), a Mac will be second choice, but I absolutely cannot tolerate Windows, I abhor it, I hate it... (If all computers left on earth have Windows I'd either quit this field or just quit Earth).

Sometimes it's possible to tell if they use Windows or not, for example, jobs with dotnet/C# are most likely using windows, but not in my case.

Anyways, is it too weird to ask what kind of laptop they provide to their employees? And to also specifically ask for a Linux (or anything but windows) work laptop?

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Honestly its best if you say "I prefer Linux but I can be flexible with environments" although in a interview you probably have more important things to show.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 8 months ago

Relevant username ^

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

They said “we’ll get you a laptop” and I said “it’s gotta be macOS or Linux, I have no idea how to use windows”

[–] pete 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

What if you aren't flexible? I never couch, I just say in use Linux for my workflow, can you accommodate that?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Then you may need to find another job. At the end of the day they pay you

Your Linux skills may be better served in in a Linux based company

[–] FuglyDuck 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

That’s something that’s usually outside the HR/hiring manager’s purview. (And there’s some good reasons for that. Namely maintaining the integrity of their confidential data.)

If they’re not already using Linux environments; and to be blunt, they’re probably not unless you’re specifically being hired for dev in Linux-world… then you just disqualified yourself.

Even if they do allow it, there’s probably going to be times they really need you in windows, and they’re now going to have to weigh how common that will be and if they want to tolerate it.

So, you need to ask: are you willing to hold out for that one company; for that one job, that may never come. Are you willing to take a potential pay cut?

I get having standards, but, they also get to have those standards and they might just pass because you sound annoying.

You can always decline an offer, you can’t accept an offer that’s never made.