[PLUG] Guiding Windows user to Linux

[Ben Koenig]

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

On Friday, October 8th, 2021 at 9:54 AM, wes <plug at the-wes.com> wrote:

> On Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 9:49 AM Richard Owlett rowlett at cloud85.net wrote:
>
> > On 10/08/2021 10:49 AM, wes wrote:
> >
> > > On Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 7:02 AM Richard Owlett rowlett at cloud85.net
> > >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > 2.  Do recent versions of Windows still have icons titled "Windows
> > > >
> > > >     Explorer" and "My Computer"?
> > >
> > > In Windows 10, "My Computer" was renamed to "This PC" - however it is not
> > >
> > > displayed on the desktop by default. Microsoft has gone to the "search
> > >
> > > for
> > >
> > > what you're looking for" methodology rather than the old "choose from
> > >
> > > this
> > >
> > > set of options" plan. So we are expected to click the Start menu, then
> > >
> > > type
> > >
> > > in things like "this" and it will show "This PC" as one of the search
> > >
> > > results.
> > >
> > > There is a file-folder icon displayed by default which opens Explorer
> > >
> > > (what
> > >
> > > we used to refer to as "Windows Explorer") which will then allow one to
> > >
> > > navigate to the top level (C:). Disk usage info will be shown right on
> > >
> > > that
> > >
> > > screen.
> > >
> > > -wes
> >
> > 1.  Is it labeled "Explorer"?
>
> Icons in the task bar don't have labels. Simply pictures. Icons on the
>
> desktop do have labels/names, but Explorer is not found there by default.
>
> When I do this, the conversation usually goes something like:
>
> Me: Do you see a picture of a file-folder along the bottom of the screen?
>
> Them: No
>
> Me: Ok, click on the Start menu then
>
> Them: What's that?
>
> Me: In the lower left corner of the screen, there is a little picture of a
>
> flag type of shape
>
> Them: Ok, I see that
>
> Me: Click that
>
> Them: Ok, I did
>
> Me: What do you see?
>
> Them: Nothing
>
> (at this point I start seriously reconsidering my life choices)
>
> Me: Ok, try typing in the letters T, H, I, S
>
> Them: Ok, I did that
>
> Me: Do you see an option come up named "This PC"?
>
> (fingers crossed, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this work)
>
> Them: Yes
>
> Me: Ok, click on that
>
> > 2.  What does it display by default?
> >
> >     Does the string "C:" appear?
>
> By default, I believe it displays the user's "Libraries" - it lets them
>
> choose to enter Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc. On the left will be
>
> navigation options. I believe some scrolling will be needed to find the C:
>
> option, which yes, that string literally appears there. There may be a
>
> "This PC" heading to help them find it.
>
> I have to give clear instructions in an email as they and I will not be
>
> > home at the same time for a few days.
>
> Your expectations may be a little high. I would anticipate some
>
> back-and-forth before finding the answers you're looking for.
>
> -wes

+1 to that. If the user is not super tech savvy it's best to break the email up. Instead of a single email describing all the steps, breaking it down step by step has been far more effective in my experience. Don't be afraid to start with an email to make sure the file explorer is open, then proceed once that is accomplished.

On more than one occasion I've asked people "You know that thing you do to go look at your photos? Click on that". People think in terms that are relevant to them and the whole "Explorer" terminology is completely disconnected from how people use their computers.

Make it a conversation and you'll be more likely to succeed.
-Ben