resize the hard disk partition

Free space is quite simple, just type:
df

If you prefer a "human readable" version (that is, XXMb, XXGb form), type
df -h

Also, to determine file usage (how big is this directory), you can do
du -hs dir
(for a 'human readable summary')

As for the resizing from the command line, parted should do the trick. The official manual is here:
http://www.gnu.org/software/parted/manual/html_mono/parted.html

but it appears like it is quite a bit of work to learn. You may also try booting from a livecd, and using the graphical partition editor there (assuming you have a computer with a monitor and supported hardware).

Hope this helps
-allen

Hello,

First check if gparted is installed System-->admin-->partition editor or System-->admin-->synaptic and search if gparted pkg is installed; if NOT pls install it.

then in a terminal do

sudo gparted
    enter pwd
and a nice gparted GUI is presented. I MUST draw your attention that this is a very sharp tool --> feel your way how it works first BEFORE committing changes to disk. Please treat it in the same fashion like any tool that alters HDD/partition config --> a small mistake means disaster.

hope this helps.

peter b