Windows Home Folder vs. Linux Home Folder Under WSL

by Mike Levin

The #1 priority when getting ready to do anything tech is a starting-point. You need to get back to where you were. This is surprisingly more difficult than it may sound. There is where you are putting files in your local system, and there are usernames and passwords on your Google and Github accounts for example. It’s important to use standard conventions (even if they’re personal ones) and it’s important to keep notes (if even just to document your conventions).

First, an explanation of folders, directories, git repos and Github repos.

• Folders and Directories are the same thing.
• “Repos” are folders or directories where git is being used.
• Things can be a git repo without being uploaded to Github.
• When git is being used, you can optionally keep it on Github.
• Github repos are just git repos kept on Github.
• Keeping a git repo on Github allows collaboration.
• Other sites than Github can be used, such as BitBucket.

The conventions I use are:

• Yield to wherever the OS is trying to make your “home” location
  • This is usually some location like:
    • C:\Users\username\ (On Windows)
    • /Users/username (On Mac)
    • /home/username (On Linux)
• Where there is conflict because of multiple OSes in use, “Host” OS wins
  • These days this is usually due to the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
    • All locations on Windows are “mapped” into Linux from /mnt/
    • From Linux, Windows “home” is thus accessible as /mnt/c/Users/username
    • From Windows, Linux “home” is like \wsl$\Ubuntu-20.04\home\username
    • It’s eas to make Linux use /mnt/c/Users/username from .bash_profile
    • The old Linux /home/username is still important for configuration files.
      • The most important thing in default Linux home is .ssh folder.
• Put a folder named “github” in your home folder.
  • Put all new projects into sub-folders under username/github/
  • Choose strong nicknames for these sub-folders as that becomes the repo name.
  • Everything can than easily be found quickly.
  • The username/github folder might get long.
    • That’s okay.
    • It’s better than hunting through different folders.

I’m starting to wonder whether whatsametafor.io is really the best place for this sort of content. I can sort it out however I like over time. It’s actually not TOO committal.

Okay, think! Next steps? I want one of the sites to be a nice, clean experience getting started… with Linux, Python, vim & git! Duhhh. Okay.

I’ve got a bit ol’ mission in life now, I guess. Well, it always starts with helping my child, wife and family. But after that, it’s teaching the world Linux, Python, vim & git in a particular way that helps make you obsolescence-proof and disruption resistant… a new kind of literacy.

Okay, so… 1, 2, 3… 1?

WHO WILL MY WRITING APPEAL TO?

THOSE WITH A TECH-TOOLS FOCUS

• Those Disenfranchised By “Big Tech”
• Those Who Seek Tech As A Form Of Martial Arts
• Those Wanting Flowing Creative Expression Through Tech
• Anyone Trying To Become “Literate” At Programming
• Those Who Never Want To Be Obsoleted Again

THOSE WITH A DATA OR SEO-FOCUS

• Old SEOs Exploring Life After Excel
• New SEOs Breaking Into The Business