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Idea #10847: Ubuntu Settings Backup

bug This idea is a duplicate of Idea #1: Easy way of backing up/moving your documents and settings.
Written by syberjj the 7 Jul 08 at 18:22. Related project: Synaptic package manager. Status: New
Rationale
Windows installation takes forever, and once the user is done he hast o search for drivers and all that stuff.

Ubuntu installation is quick and mostly "plug and play", I love it.

But once im done, I start to search the repositories for programs I want, adding audio/video codecs, restoring my audio database and configuring everything to work the way I want it to.

It would be nice if I could save my systems settings in a file. Not the files, programs or anything. Just a simple file I can import after the linux installation is complete and it will automatically download all packages listed in it and configure every program to the way it was.

Many people ask for system .iso files. I think that is not usefull since everyday new updates for different programs come out. I would like something that backups my systems settings and is able to restore them downloading the newest version of the programs from the repository. If the new configuration file differs from the old one it should tell me so I can do it manually.

This would save everyone from reinstalling flash, java, mp3/dvd support, compiz fusion desktop settings, the users audio database (no matter what audio program) and all the great things we all want on ubuntu

Also, as it is only a small file containing a list of programs and configurations, it could fit on any usb stick being fast and easy to use, and since it only lists the programs names, it will always be up to date and compatible with new system installations.

EDIT:
-this will also allow sharing of config files. Everyone can create and share "ubuntu starting settings" like an "Ubuntu Media Center config" released by some group with all needed programs and settings all in a small file that downloads the newest version of files. (thanks to jpka)

-It is possible and easy to do as seen here:
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-get-list-installed-software-reinstallation- restore.html
It is done with only 3 commands in command line. Only needs a nice UI for it and the option to also copy the configuration files/folders from each application so that they aren't only installed but also configured the right way.

95
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #10847
Written by syberjj the 7 Jul 08 at 18:22.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #10847 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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Comments
PAStheLoD wrote on the 8 Jul 08 at 06:26
Sounds like a very useful idea.

However, backuping /etc and getting a list of installed packages ( http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=261366 ) is portable, but I don't know how easily one could restore the system from that information.

Just copying back /etc is a bit dangerous, and I've no knowledge of any good-and-safe method for getting just the settings for each application.

Plus what about /opt ( or /usr/local/bin ) where you're compiled from source programs reside?

andruk (Idea reviewer) wrote on the 8 Jul 08 at 08:08
Synaptic has a "Generate package download script" function, but it is kind of difficult to get it to generate the complete list of all installed programs (I usually just mark all installed packages as "to be removed", generate the script, and change all "remove"s in the script to "install"). With a little tweaking, Synaptic could be given the functionality to generate a minimal list (remove packages that are depended upon - they will be installed with apt-get), and backing up /home/username should back up your preferences, as far as I know. Should there be a tool to do all of this? Yes, I think it should be part of Synaptic or the installer.

+1, highly useful

KIAaze (Idea reviewer) wrote on the 8 Jul 08 at 08:30
@andruk: There's an easier way with synaptic.
cf comments in http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/7515/

Also, +1 for this idea. An easy explicit "backup Ubuntu settings" GUI would be really nice. :)

jpka wrote on the 10 Jul 08 at 19:32
+1
It's looks not easy to realize.
But, extremely great advantage of this idea is availability to share this config files. Instead of making and distributing clones like Mediabuntu, Ubuntu Studio etc., we can share small files, and after using it, get a system with latest versions of programs. I need it!

catalania wrote on the 11 Jul 08 at 14:04
Not only this, imaging that you have a entreprise, you have 25 PCs. You configurated 1 PC, and save your settings in a USB drive, now, you go to the other 25 PCs, and copy the same settings. Have You save 10 minits por PC?

syberjj wrote on the 4 Aug 08 at 13:24
catalania - yes! and that will also work if the computers have different harware configurations since its not a system image, but a simple "list of things to be installed and configured".

dyess002 wrote on the 5 Jun 11 at 08:20
I see they haven't this any attention, I wish they would though.


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