Ha ha ha, I get what you're putting down. It's just another thing I have to deal with and I have no idea on how to start. You guys seem great, I just can't even begin to think about it. I'm procrastinating enough on my paid projects.

yeah i know exactly the feeling, i want to get into coding, but there is just so much information out there, some of it conflicting, much of it incomprehensible to a layman like me, it feels overwhelming, impossible
but i do think linux is much easier, in the last 5-10 years it has become much more welcoming

if you have a bit of time, and an 4+ gig usb stick, you can see it for yourself
download etcher
download linux mint (i like to get the torrents, to feel like i give back a bit)
use etcher to write the iso image on the usb
restart and select the usb in the bios boot menu (it usually shows a key to get into the bios, usually f1 or f2 or delete, and a separate one for just the boot device selection, f11 or f12, the latter only temporarily changes the boot device. if it goes by too quick, next restart you can hold the key before it even shows)(oh also on newer pcs windows can "cover up" the bios boot process, in that case you need to go through windows settings>recovery>"restart now")
wait a minute for the usb to boot (it won't be quick, especially if you're used to ssd speeds)
try mint out, see how it works. you can install stuff with the "software manager", it won't remember anything, it's all temporary (unless you delete/edit stuff from your hard drives, so be mindful of that)
watch a movie, browse the internet, try libreoffice etc, maybe see what's available of what you need for your paid projects

i imagine it won't happen immediately but if you feel okay with what you see, i'd recommend installing mint on a separate, empty ssd, set the bios to boot from that drive, install everything on there (you can put the boot partition on other drives, but i would advise against that)
this way the installer will recognise windows, and you can choose which operating system to use, when you turn on your pc, so you don't lose windows, you can get used to linux at your own pace.
i did the same thing, i had a linux (ubuntu) install for 15+ years on all my pcs, i booted it up every now and then, but there was always something that put me off, but then, about 5 years ago i tried linux mint, and slowly but surely i spent more and more time with it, until it became the default instead of windows

reading back this wall of text, i too think "simple huh", but i try to prepare for eventualities and assume little to no knowledge. i didn't even write about how to install a new ssd
and i want to be helpful not just to you, pelespirit, but anyone who might come across this

I can call a phone number from Teams?

If you are in a meeting just click "Invite People" and type a phone number - it will call them. We have the "Team for Business". Whatever that means.

They will almost assuredly not answer because its an 800 Number, and requires them to press [n] to join call. But you can do it.

If you don't have a meeting just make one with only you - Which is coincidentally a great way to fill a calendar, and look busy to your coworkers. They ignore Busy status. When I'm in a "meeting", it doesn't even ring when they bother me.

Or FAST VAN if you want to be a first aid nerd.
V - visual disturbance
A - aphasia
N - neglect (of use of body parts they would otherwise probably be using)

We have teams for business but I would bet the call out feature is blocked. We started using zoom for management level meetings because a r supervisor who was on vacation needed to be included. So either management doesn't know about the call out feature (entirely likely) or our IT blocks it.

Now I'm curious, maybe I'll try calling my cell phone on Monday to see if it works or not.

I think that might be a licensing issue. The call out feature is not included in the base Teams licence. You’ll need an audio conferencing for Teams licence (included in E5) on the account of the guy who created the meeting to have the call out feature enabled.

“[…] I love Teams”

• mrgoosmoos, 2025

You and me are out there enjoying it (unless you are being sarcastic, then it's just me out there in ignorant bliss).

I still don't get why people are so opposed (it's cheaper than the collection of apps required to do the same thing). The best reason I heard was it doesn't work well on Linux, which I'm like duh - they don't care about that demographic, like, at all. My best thinking is that maybe folks aren't using all the features. I mean, one of them is a voiced Copilot summary of a meeting done by a man and woman, like they are talking about the meeting at the water-cooler. Truly terrible and amazing all at once.

yeah i know exactly the feeling, i want to get into coding, but there is just so much information out there, some of it conflicting, much of it incomprehensible to a layman like me, it feels overwhelming, impossible
but i do think linux is much easier, in the last 5-10 years it has become much more welcoming

if you have a bit of time, and an 4+ gig usb stick, you can see it for yourself
download etcher
download linux mint (i like to get the torrents, to feel like i give back a bit)
use etcher to write the iso image on the usb
restart and select the usb in the bios boot menu (it usually shows a key to get into the bios, usually f1 or f2 or delete, and a separate one for just the boot device selection, f11 or f12, the latter only temporarily changes the boot device. if it goes by too quick, next restart you can hold the key before it even shows)(oh also on newer pcs windows can "cover up" the bios boot process, in that case you need to go through windows settings>recovery>"restart now")
wait a minute for the usb to boot (it won't be quick, especially if you're used to ssd speeds)
try mint out, see how it works. you can install stuff with the "software manager", it won't remember anything, it's all temporary (unless you delete/edit stuff from your hard drives, so be mindful of that)
watch a movie, browse the internet, try libreoffice etc, maybe see what's available of what you need for your paid projects

i imagine it won't happen immediately but if you feel okay with what you see, i'd recommend installing mint on a separate, empty ssd, set the bios to boot from that drive, install everything on there (you can put the boot partition on other drives, but i would advise against that)
this way the installer will recognise windows, and you can choose which operating system to use, when you turn on your pc, so you don't lose windows, you can get used to linux at your own pace.
i did the same thing, i had a linux (ubuntu) install for 15+ years on all my pcs, i booted it up every now and then, but there was always something that put me off, but then, about 5 years ago i tried linux mint, and slowly but surely i spent more and more time with it, until it became the default instead of windows

reading back this wall of text, i too think "simple huh", but i try to prepare for eventualities and assume little to no knowledge. i didn't even write about how to install a new ssd
and i want to be helpful not just to you, pelespirit, but anyone who might come across this

I had hope for Microsoft when they came out with WSL and VS Code.

I was a fool, of course.

A lot of people agree VS Code is good though... I hate that.

I had hope for Microsoft when they came out with WSL and VS Code.

I was a fool, of course.

hey you can't do that

Confirmed hilarious by an actual stroke victim.