"We have a Linux development environment, but those systems are hobbled by a Windows-centric IT shop that has firewalls blocking access to Google from non-Windows systems and Linux-centric forums everywhere."

Why does the development environment need access to Google? Can't you google from your workstation?

Same deal with Linux centric forums. Are they specifically blocking Google and those forums from the development environment? Or is it that they are they blocking ALL web access from the development environment which makes more sense than you Windows bashing post.