Suggest GitBash should still be default vs WSL2

[sstevens2]

Taught for the first time where WSL2 was listed as the default for the unix shell set up for SWC last week. I think we should go back to gitbash. I have yet to see any advantage of WSL2 over gitbash for what we teach in the workshop. If others have advantages for the workshop (or after), I'd be interested in hearing more. I suspect there are more researchers using WSL2 now which could be an advantage. I'm not sure what capabilities gitbash is lacking that would be available with WSL2 and commonly needed by the researchers joining as learners.

Issues we had:

• Some folks did not follow the setup directions ahead and to setup WSL2 they had to restart their computer to modify their BIOS settings to turn on the hypervisor. This is is a lot to ask learners to do to begin with but is especially hard during the workshop. They might have had applications they weren't prepared to close as well.
• They are installing git/unix on the linux side and then python on the windows side with the current setup directions. So after the workshop they won't be able to use python in the unix environment or git on the windows side without further setup. This was particularly an issue for our workshop where we added an extra half day lesson with workflows using git/python/sh and we had to get them to install git on their windows side in the end anyway.
• Also the directions have us put the data in the Windows Desktop so folks had trouble navigating to the data from the WSL2 side

[olexandr-konovalov]

I'd support the idea of GitBash being default and WSL2 - optional.

I teach on a MacBook, and have a Windows VM. I know that apparently I can install WSL there too, but I've never tried. I doubt that I need it, since I only use this VM for the workshops (usually only at the very beginning of the workshop when I show how it will look like for Windows users, and explain for example how to copy and paste, customise font etc - I rarely keep it running after the 1st coffee break). Installing Git Bash is easy, and for me as an instructor it suits my needs perfectly.

Whether is suits the needs of the learner - it's a good question. I think Git Bash does not have any disadvantages. It's easy to install (and to remove, if needed) and this is particularly convenient for online learners who may be remote and isolated and does not have competent technical support nearby. Of course, using Git Bash, one should emphasise at the workshop that WSL2 exists, and hint to the learners when they might want to consider using it in the future.

Just yesterday, I was teaching UNIX shell and Git at our first ever 2-day proper Carpentries (mix and match) online workshop in Ukraine and we used Git Bash. First, we have the Ukrainian translation of the workshop template which does not have WSL 2 update yet. I have tweaked it a bit to remove links to the outdated (and now not available any more) video instructions, and pointed out that the learners can also check the English workshop template, in particular, if they are interested in WSL. I have asked at a workshop what do they use, and nobody replied WSL - only Git Bash. I can not recollect any inconveniences.

I am happy to see this question just now, before we will try to update our workshop template translation!

[tobyhodges]

Thanks both for your feedback. You're not the only Instructors to report friction with the new setup instructions.

One big advantage to WSL 2 in the long run is how much easier package management is: I have had many long, frustrating troubleshooting sessions with folks trying to install various tools and dependencies into a Git Bash setup.

The solution @froggleston and I propose is to switch the default back to Git Bash but keep maintaining the WSL instructions there, and add a callout to the end of the various shell lessons advising people to setup WSL if they are going to keep using the shell in the future. We hope that, by the end of the lesson/workshop, learners will be in a much better position to follow the WSL setup instructions than they were before.

[froggleston]

Thanks @sstevens2 @olexandr-konovalov and @tobyhodges !

I agree with Toby - I'm happy to move the WSL to the "hey if you're interested in using a full Linux system and are Windows users, WSL is a good next step".

[sstevens2]

That sounds like a great solution @tobyhodges. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

[olexandr-konovalov]

Thanks - agree with the suggested solution! Will be happy to help to review the PR.

[froggleston]

@sstevens2 @olexandr-konovalov please let me know if #890 fits the bill?

[olexandr-konovalov]

@froggleston I think so! @sstevens2 left a few suggestions - after you will review them, it seems ready to go.