Bug 1215276 - [RFE] Clarify that automated partitioning allows custom space reclamation
Summary: [RFE] Clarify that automated partitioning allows custom space reclamation
Keywords:
Status: NEW
Alias: None
Product: Fedora
Classification: Fedora
Component: anaconda
Version: rawhide
Hardware: Unspecified
OS: Unspecified
unspecified
unspecified
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: anaconda-maint
QA Contact: Fedora Extras Quality Assurance
URL:
Whiteboard:
: 1179174 (view as bug list)
Depends On:
Blocks:
TreeView+ depends on / blocked
 
Reported: 2015-04-24 21:17 UTC by Nick Coghlan
Modified: 2023-07-26 12:05 UTC (History)
7 users (show)

Fixed In Version:
Doc Type: Bug Fix
Doc Text:
Clone Of:
Environment:
Last Closed: 2015-08-03 17:16:37 UTC
Type: Bug
Embargoed:


Attachments (Terms of Use)

Description Nick Coghlan 2015-04-24 21:17:19 UTC
Installing Fedora 22 as a dual boot system with Windows, I encountered bug 1214628 while attempting to reclaim space for Fedora through the manual partitioning option.

In trying the installation again, I used the automatic partitioning option instead, and found that while it fully automated the process of configuring *Fedora's* partitions, it still let me completely customise how that space was reclaimed from the existing Windows partitions.

That wasn't at all clear to me when originally confronted with the choice between the two options, which was why I'd assumed I needed to use custom partitioning for the dual boot case.

I'm not sure how common it is for other people to make that mistake, but it might be helpful if there was a clear indicator when choosing between the two options that the "automated" case still allows you to decide what to do with *existing* partitions if the installer needs to reclaim space before it can proceed with the installation.

Comment 1 Nick Coghlan 2015-04-24 21:18:10 UTC
Changed version to Rawhide, as I doubt it makes sense to change this during F22 beta.

Comment 2 David Shea 2015-05-06 13:45:24 UTC
Automatic partitioning only presents the option of changing existing partitions if you attempt to partition with insufficient free space, or if you click the checkbox that says "I would like to make additional space available." Do you have an idea for how to make that more clear?

Comment 3 Nick Coghlan 2015-05-18 10:14:29 UTC
For my case, a parenthetical note like "(allows manual reconfiguration of existing partitions to reclaim space)" on the "automatic partitioning" option would likely have been enough of a nudge in the right direction.

My initial error was assuming that I needed manual partitioning to make space available (since I knew the entire disk was allocated to Windows by default)

Comment 4 David Shea 2015-08-03 14:15:09 UTC
*** Bug 1179174 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 5 Aleksandar Kostadinov 2015-08-03 15:58:10 UTC
IMHO it would be best to have a button: "remove/resize partitions". When user clicks on that, then present a windows to manage partitions. Then return back and let user continue with the rest of the workflow.

Comment 6 David Shea 2015-08-03 17:16:37 UTC
The button and note you are asking for is already there, just in different words. "I would like to make additional space available" indicates that you will be able to remove or modify existing partitions, because existing partitions are where the additional space would have to come from. There is also a help button that explains the process in greater detail.

Comment 7 Aleksandar Kostadinov 2015-08-03 17:59:12 UTC
Strange. At least two experienced engineers find it confusing and bug is just closed. UX is also an important part of an UI. It's not only about having the options but having it such that users see it, and can use it.

It's somehow discouraging to take the time preparing a bug report and following up with presumably an easy fix, and get it just closed. For me "I would like to make additional space available" means that I want to add another storage device (possibly network storage) or something. It means nothing specific.

Comment 8 Nick Coghlan 2015-08-19 12:00:24 UTC
I'm reopening this as the given closure statement does not appear to relate to the specific RFE I raised.

I agree the process is reasonably easy to follow once you're actually *in* the automated partitioning workflow, hence this paragraph in my original post: "In trying the installation again, I used the automatic partitioning option instead, and found that while it fully automated the process of configuring *Fedora's* partitions, it still let me completely customise how that space was reclaimed from the existing Windows partitions."

The problem I reported lies on the *preceding* screen, where there was no indication that "automated" partitioning is in fact only semi-automated when you need to reclaim space, so you still get full manual control over the resizing of any existing partitions when doing a parallel installation with an existing OS installation. That absence is what lead me to initially assume I needed to use the manual partitioning option in order to handle the dual booting case.

So unless the "manual or automated partitioning?" selection screen has been changed in F23 to clarify the semi-automated status of automated partitioning when reclaiming space, this RFE still applies.

Comment 9 Adam Williamson 2019-12-12 01:19:30 UTC
No change here.

Comment 10 Fedora Admin user for bugzilla script actions 2023-07-26 12:05:32 UTC
This package has changed maintainer in Fedora. Reassigning to the new maintainer of this component.


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