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Cloud computing is ushering in the exact opposite. Each user has their own private cloud VMs; it’s much easier (and cheaper) to spin up and tear down VMs with i

Cloud computing is ushering in the exact opposite. Each user has their own private cloud VMs; it’s much easier (and cheaper) to spin up and tear down VMs with images precisely customized by each user than to constantly run and maintain a single VM supporting a multiuser system. It’s also a far superior user experience; having root on your own machine is way better than having to ask a sysadmin to update a shared machine (and often getting denied in the process).

pjmlp 4y ago
Who are the dumb DevOps giving root access to cloud environments? We give them cloud shell access and Web UI, that is all.
- MontyCarloHall 4y ago
  What’s wrong with root access to a private cloud VM? Since VMs are private to each user, there are no security concerns with root access. If a dumb user playing amateur sysadmin accidentally borks their VM, they just tear it down and spin up a new one. On the contrary, sysadmins who give root access to cloud VMs are smart, and know that having root access in safe, controlled environments does wonders for developer productivity. Imagine not having root access to your developer laptop! I have friends who’ve worked at such companies, and they all said it was hell.
  - SoftTalker 4y ago
    In the vast majority of cases, you don't need root access to develop. You can install software and build and run code in your home directory. Root accesss is often just a lazy way for software installers to avoid the extra step or two of modifying their $PATH because some executable is not in /usr/bin
    - MontyCarloHall 4y ago
      That precludes use of package managers, which makes life way harder (have fun building all dependencies from source!) It also makes it way harder to link against shared libraries, since you’ll have to update include/shared object paths for every piece of software you build. There is absolutely zero risk or downside of granting root access to single user machines. Zero, zilch, nada.
      - pjmlp 4y ago
        Open an IT ticket, and the software shall be provided in SLA time.
        MontyCarloHall 4y ago
        Or I can just `sudo apt-get install` and the software shall be provided instantly.
        pjmlp 4y ago
        No you won't, assuming the IT people did their job properly, regarding sudo administration.

pjmlp 4y ago

Who are the dumb DevOps giving root access to cloud environments? We give them cloud shell access and Web UI, that is all.

MontyCarloHall 4y ago
What’s wrong with root access to a private cloud VM? Since VMs are private to each user, there are no security concerns with root access. If a dumb user playing amateur sysadmin accidentally borks their VM, they just tear it down and spin up a new one. On the contrary, sysadmins who give root access to cloud VMs are smart, and know that having root access in safe, controlled environments does wonders for developer productivity. Imagine not having root access to your developer laptop! I have friends who’ve worked at such companies, and they all said it was hell.
- SoftTalker 4y ago
  In the vast majority of cases, you don't need root access to develop. You can install software and build and run code in your home directory. Root accesss is often just a lazy way for software installers to avoid the extra step or two of modifying their $PATH because some executable is not in /usr/bin
  - MontyCarloHall 4y ago
    That precludes use of package managers, which makes life way harder (have fun building all dependencies from source!) It also makes it way harder to link against shared libraries, since you’ll have to update include/shared object paths for every piece of software you build. There is absolutely zero risk or downside of granting root access to single user machines. Zero, zilch, nada.
    - pjmlp 4y ago
      Open an IT ticket, and the software shall be provided in SLA time.
      - MontyCarloHall 4y ago
        Or I can just `sudo apt-get install` and the software shall be provided instantly.
        pjmlp 4y ago
        No you won't, assuming the IT people did their job properly, regarding sudo administration.