[PLUG] Guiding Windows user to Linux

[Ben Koenig]

If memory serves you can usually find total HDD space pretty easily though the exact terminology varies from one windows version to the next. Either right click on My Computer or pop open the Disk Manager if that fails.

In general, if you open the file manager you should see something on the left-hand panel that says "My Computer" or just "Computer". This will be there regardless of which folder you have open so you can always just click on whatever you use to access your documents or files.

Once you find the Computer button, just right click-> properties. This should give you the size of you C:\ drive which is going to represent a majority of the disk. You can approximate total HDD size from there without having to walk someone through accessing the Disk Management tool.

On any linux distro its just Terminal-> "df -h" which contrary to popular belief is much easier walk someone through over the phone....

-Ben

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

On Friday, October 8th, 2021 at 8:36 AM, Richard Owlett <rowlett at cloud85.net> wrote:

> On 10/08/2021 09:32 AM, Ben Koenig wrote:
>
> > Good questions:
> >
> > 1.  No. This is typically distro specific and only applies to end-user
> >
> >     "desktop" distributions.
>
> That would not be a problem. It would be primarily a common frame of
>
> reference. And as I would not be the author, it would prompt them to ask
>
> a different set of questions than I would think of.
>
> > If such a document does exist I would check with projects like Linux Mint.
>
> I'll search for Linux Mint info.
>
> > Debian is unlikely to have what you are looking for.
> >
> > 2.  Yes and no.. theyve been moving stuff around and in many ways windows10
> >
> >     resembles your average linux desktop. While the terminology still exists
> >
> >     it does not match what you might expect from xp or 7 so I dont recommend
> >
> >     relying on it.
>
> I need to know how big a drive they have and how much free space.
>
> Suggestion on how to phrase the question clearly in an email? If they
>
> and I were going to be home at the same time this weekend I would just
>
> call them.
>
> > Whatever you do dont give them gnome or ubuntu. Things won't end well :(
>
> ROFL!
>
> Ubuntu is reason I run Debian.
>
> Gnome3 is the reason I use MATE.
>
> > -Ben
> >
> > Sent from ProtonMail mobile
>
> Thank you.
>
> > -------- Original Message --------
> >
> > On Oct 8, 2021, 7:02 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
> >
> > > I've been providing informal support to a local couple for decades. He
> > >
> > > is a retired pastor, now a missionary. A few years ago they bought a
> > >
> > > computer from a local big box store. It has problems and customer
> > >
> > > support has been inadequate. As part of my support for the missions
> > >
> > > agency, I'll be purchasing a replacement. As I've not used Windows since
> > >
> > > WinXP and they are pure Windows users I will set it up to dual boot
> > >
> > > Windows and Debian. I've bought several refurbished machines from a
> > >
> > > local company and have watched them deal with non-techie customers. That
> > >
> > > will provide expert Windows support if/when needed.
> > >
> > > My immediate questions:
> > >
> > > 1.  Is there any site that explains to a non-techie the differences
> > >
> > >     between Windows and Linux and the advantages of using Linux?.
> > >
> > >     Preferably without describing "how-to".
> > >
> > >     [ From my side the advantage is using maintenance tools
> > >
> > >     I'm familiar with.]
> > > 2.  Do recent versions of Windows still have icons titled "Windows
> > >
> > >     Explorer" and "My Computer"?
> > >
> > >     [ As we'll not be meeting for about a week I'm asking them for some
> > >
> > >     details of their current hardware. I'm suspicious that they may be
> > >
> > >     low on free disk space.]
> > >
> > > TIA