Written by cajhne the 14 Sep 10 at 21:39.

I propose a two-fold solution:

1.Keep a list of installed programs in the form of a bash-script, or executable file that includes the programs installed by the user. This happens behind the scenes without any intervention or activation from the user. Add a button to synaptic package manager (and Ubuntu Software Center) that says "Backup My Programs" or some such language. When the user clicks this, a dialogue appears that allows the user to save the bash-script/executable file to a location (such as a backup disk, thumb drive, or any convenient folder.) A message appears after the save is complete that informs the user that they can run the script/executable file upon re-install, to re-download/restore their programs.

2.In addition to the above, it would be supremely awesome if one could click on a "save programs to archive" (or something like that) button, get the executable mentioned above and a compressed archive of the installer files (and dependencies) for the user-installed programs. The script would first search the archive for a suitable candidate, then the network if the versions in the archive are too old, or a new version is available. If the versions are the same, then download bandwidth could be saved by installing from the archive.

I can work up a visual on these if there's enough interest.

Things to note:
1.The "save to archive" button would take deb packages and dependencies from the files that are automatically saved to disk: var/cache/apt/archives, and make an archive to accompany the script. If the deb packages have been purged, the version available in the software channel will be re-downloaded and added to the archive in place of the missing deb, then deleted from cache once more.

I propose a two-fold solution: 1.Keep a list of installed programs in the form of a bash-script, or executable file that includes the programs installed by the user. This happens behind the scenes without any intervention or activation from the user. Add a button to synaptic package manager (and Ubuntu Software Center) that says "Backup My Programs" or some such language. When the user clicks this, a dialogue appears that allows the user to save the bash-script/executable file to a location (such as a backup disk, thumb drive, or any convenient folder.) A message appears after the save is complete that informs the user that they can run the script/executable file upon re-install, to re-download/restore their programs. 2.In addition to the above, it would be supremely awesome if one could click on a "save programs to archive" (or something like that) button, get the executable mentioned above and a compressed archive of the installer files (and dependencies) for the user-installed programs. The script would first search the archive for a suitable candidate, then the network if the versions in the archive are too old, or a new version is available. If the versions are the same, then download bandwidth could be saved by installing from the archive. I can work up a visual on these if there's enough interest. Things to note: 1.The "save to archive" button would take deb packages and dependencies from the files that are automatically saved to disk: var/cache/apt/archives, and make an archive to accompany the script. If the deb packages have been purged, the version available in the software channel will be re-downloaded and added to the archive in place of the missing deb, then deleted from cache once more. 2.This should not get in the way of anything. It should change no defaults either. And that's about it! :) I want to run that script/executable, and get a cup of coffee whilst all my programs reinstall. Oh the bliss!

Written by cajhne the 14 Sep 10 at 21:58.

A button that lets you save your choices to a script file or list, (or maybe directly to ubuntu one), that you can then "reinstall my programs" later through a simmilar button or menu option in ubuntu software center.

A button that lets you save your choices to a script file or list, (or maybe directly to ubuntu one), that you can then "reinstall my programs" later through a simmilar button or menu option in ubuntu software center.

Written by Oxwivi the 24 Sep 10 at 18:00.

Having Ubuntu One save the list of softwares used by the users can do the trick. It will just download the softwares from the repository and keep a back up of the non-repository softwares at their server, occupying the space designated to the user.

Setting up the Ubuntu One account during installation of Ubuntu at a computer can allow only the softwares the user wants to be installed. Thus saving time to remove the unnecessary programs to save space and resources (in an old system for example).

Having Ubuntu One save the list of softwares used by the users can do the trick. It will just download the softwares from the repository and keep a back up of the non-repository softwares at their server, occupying the space designated to the user. Setting up the Ubuntu One account during installation of Ubuntu at a computer can allow only the softwares the user wants to be installed. Thus saving time to remove the unnecessary programs to save space and resources (in an old system for example).

Written by peapodamus the 6 Oct 10 at 00:29.

Add a prompt so that when the user tells Ubuntu to shutdown it asks if you want to save all the programs and .DEB files to the hard drive or to an external media device and add a program in Ubuntu to allow fast re-installation of the DEB files.

Add a prompt so that when the user tells Ubuntu to shutdown it asks if you want to save all the programs and .DEB files to the hard drive or to an external media device and add a program in Ubuntu to allow fast re-installation of the DEB files.

Written by briceparent the 13 Oct 10 at 08:09.

As all sudoers may access the software center and the others ways of installing packages, they should all be able to reinstall them at once.
So, as in idea #1, a simple bash script should be generated everytime a package is added / stuck to a version / removed, to repeat all the actions to set up the computer.
It should be copied in a file like ~/.apt/[computer_name].sh, allowing the sudoers user to share the folder using Ubuntu One and to install the packages that are installed on one of the user's computers.
Also, it should only list the packages that are manually installed, and not the dependencies, allowing installations on newer or older versions of the distribution, possibly with verifications and notifications for packages that are no more / not already present in the list.

As all sudoers may access the software center and the others ways of installing packages, they should all be able to reinstall them at once. So, as in idea #1, a simple bash script should be generated everytime a package is added / stuck to a version / removed, to repeat all the actions to set up the computer. It should be copied in a file like ~/.apt/[computer_name].sh, allowing the sudoers user to share the folder using Ubuntu One and to install the packages that are installed on one of the user's computers. Also, it should only list the packages that are manually installed, and not the dependencies, allowing installations on newer or older versions of the distribution, possibly with verifications and notifications for packages that are no more / not already present in the list.

Written by blinxwang the 7 Sep 08 at 08:46.

Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12892 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!

<i>Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12892 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.</i><br /> Thanks!

Written by nillbug the 9 Oct 09 at 07:31.

Written by adn the 3 Oct 09 at 06:35.

Change drives Shell deb, and upload them to hardware controllers

Change drives Shell deb, and upload them to hardware controllers

Written by nico9julio the 5 Apr 09 at 04:27.

Axel could be used instead of wget when using apt-get, aptitude or synaptic. This way it could support multi thread downloads for each file needed to install.

This will cause a great speed improve using broadband providers who limit the speed of downloads for each files. There are many ISP which does this!

I'm already using this script as a workaround for this:
http://download.gna.org/apt-axel/

Axel could be used instead of wget when using apt-get, aptitude or synaptic. This way it could support multi thread downloads for each file needed to install. This will cause a great speed improve using broadband providers who limit the speed of downloads for each files. There are many ISP which does this! I'm already using this script as a workaround for this: http://download.gna.org/apt-axel/

Written by cheesehead the 5 Apr 09 at 13:41.

Automatically testing and tracking the fastest (not closest) mirror for you was suggested in http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/13366/

Automatically testing and tracking the fastest (not closest) mirror for you was suggested in http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/13366/

Written by cheesehead the 5 Apr 09 at 13:47.

apt-p2p and debtorrent are already available in the repositories. If you have a flat-rate connection, it's a great way to contribute to the community.

apt-p2p and debtorrent are already available in the repositories. If you have a flat-rate connection, it's a great way to contribute to the community.

Written by cheesehead the 5 Apr 09 at 13:52.

Originally suggested in http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/13/ (and many times since), speed up updates by applying a patch instead of replacing the entire package.
One such project is at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/apt-sync

Originally suggested in http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/13/ (and many times since), speed up updates by applying a patch instead of replacing the entire package. One such project is at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/apt-sync