this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2024
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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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submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

I've run a small business for over 10 yeas. I use linux. I'm grateful to the community and I use FOSS where possible.

I have had some issues over the years, but have always been able to get around them (except CAD in 2013), but recently I've had issues with my government (UK). First they introduced 'making tax digital' and told me for years that I would have to buy windows only software (there was no legal option on linux until a few weeks before the deadline (https://www.comsci.co.uk/100PcVatFreeBridge saved the day). The UK Government didn't create a free solution or any route to that as they don't want the source to be open for making tax digital so accounting software companies have made a killing!

This week my internet banking stopped allowing payments, it no longer works in firefox (I'm guessing). On the telephone they asked me 'what search engine I was using'^+^ and advised to use google.

What is the best UK business bank to use if you use linux to run a small business? Do I have to use Chrom(e)ium? Does anyone else use linux for business admin? Is anyone (Freesoftware foundation, etc) thinking about the creeping legislative changes that make it literally illegal to use FOSS and linux?

I wanna be an ally, but its so tiring.

^+^ browser ≠ search engine. Yes, I'm pedantic, at least I didn't confuse them by saying 'quant' or 'duck duck go', OK!?

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 4 months ago

If you use Mettle, the phone based bank, you get FreeAgent for free. FreeAgent is a really good web based accounting package that works in Firefox. They gave a useful accompanying API and can do payroll, VAT, end of year and director self assessment. It's great.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Maybe you can use some German bank. They allow one to interact with their API for free. I use GNU cash for it. Though I doubt that you can file your taxes via GNU cash and be aligned with current UK law. You would need to check it for your own.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Is the free API part actually true for Sparkasse? I was not able to find an API solution for them. I did find something, but beyond a certain step, there wasn't an actual API.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

https://www.aquamaniac.de/rdm/

Gives you an adapter and an standalone tool. All banks should use the same API, apparently.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

I'll take a look, thank you

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Always use a separate Firefox profile for banking needs.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I've found HSBC to be ok using Firefox on Linux. I don't know if they have integrations with any accounting software, but the web access works well, and you can export your transactions for processing locally.

ETA: I've run small business accounting on Gnucash, I found the learning curve a bit steep, but once you 'get it' it's handy.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I've been Linux in the desktop for years. You really don't have any choice other than to be a little bit flexible.

More times than not it turns out to be a plugin that screws over the site. Here's my general path:

Won't load in Firefox? Disable privacy badger and ublock origin

Still won't load? Try it in a private window with no extensions loaded

Still won't load? Move over to brave.

Still won't work? Disable Shields

Still won't work? Straight to a vanilla copy of edge, (a vanilla copy of Vivaldi would also be reasonable)

Just last night I ran into a problem with my ADP work portal. Things worked fine for ages, All of a sudden my password wouldn't work. I went into private mode My password now works but loading the actual page netted me a blank page

I opened it up in brave and it just worked outright.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

Governments should not require the use of proprietary software. I personally would refuse to use it. I don't live in the UK but in the US I think you could easily make the case.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 4 months ago

I think in that case they would say they accept paper.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago
[–] [email protected] 29 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Tangential:

I‘m running my own IT company since recently and am transitioning to exclusively using FOSS. I still have some things I need to work around like my iOS phone. It already has a linux successor but its not finished yet. Pretty promising though. My plan is to put a fixed percentage of profits to open source projects.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

What is the Linux successor?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (6 children)

Its a oneplus 6 with postmarketOS.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago
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[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago

I am not in the UK, but wound up biting the bullet and using QubesOS for my business machine. It's kind of like a more straightforward to use everyday set of VMs. I have the windows qube there for running CAD/CAM and the sadly sometimes necessary Chrome install. I know this isn't an ideal solution, but it is the best that I personally have been able to come up with without going through the headache of dual booting, especially when dealing with either govt stuff, need Chrome for crappy websites my clients sometimes force me to use, or actually needing proprietary software that I have licensed for my business (MasterCam in my case).

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