Suggestion: Backup pointers prior to KDE4 install ?

[menotu]

This is just a suggestion so shoot it down if its not worthwhile doing

I was wondering whether it would be useful to setup a post (a Sticky maybe ?) with helpful pointers to backing up data prior to users doing a fresh install when the new KDE4 distro comes out later this month.

It may help prevent lots of data loss (and a flood of posts saying "I've lost all my data - how can I get it back")

The problem is as I'm not an expert the posts/work would fall to others on the forum.

But it may not be a great deal of work, possibly explaining how to back up apps such as:

Kontact -  KMail; Knode; KJots; AKregator Feeds; Contacts etc
Filezilla settings
Firefox extensions/themes

I use Lucky Backup for a lot of my backups and its never let me down yet.

[Archie]

excellent suggestion, menotu.

i have several (a dozen or so) gmail, gmx and yahoo accounts for different purposes. the most difficult part of losing a KMail configuration for me is the tedious task of adding every single account therefor i make quarterly backups of the following:

/home/user/.kde4/share/config/kmailrc      // which houses account details
/home/user/.kde4/share/apps/kmail/          // folder where messages are stored

depending on how much mail a user receives, /home/user/.kde4/share/apps/kmail/ can become really large.

hth

[menotu]

/home/user/.kde4/share/config/kmailrc      // which houses account details

Well well! now that's useful Archie - I always backup  /home/user/.kde4/share/apps/kmail/ but not the config/kmailrc folders - that will be a big help not having to apply the config gumph all over again.

Thanks muchly

[mikkl]

+1 

I too was wondering if full directions on how to safely install the new OS would be forthcoming.  This is a great idea for a sticky post.

mikkl

[hightower]

Agreed, excellent suggestion menotu.

If I recall correctly, a couple of years ago during a reinstall, a few older files stored in /Home became incompatible with the latest version.  There was concern that using our older /Home would corrupt the new install.  Were not we advised to start with a new /Home and directed as to which app files were safe to copy over?  At my age my memory is cloudy, so that may be incorrect, but that's what I remember. 

I suspect that Tex and gang will provide the necessary directions when the time comes.  The Feb PCLOS Magazine is now out but nothing of this nature listed in it's Table of Contents.

[Ramchu]

Agreed, excellent suggestion menotu.

If I recall correctly, a couple of years ago during a reinstall, a few older files stored in /Home became incompatible with the latest version.  There was concern that using our older /Home would corrupt the new install.  Were not we advised to start with a new /Home and directed as to which app files were safe to copy over?  At my age my memory is cloudy, so that may be incorrect, but that's what I remember. 

I suspect that Tex and gang will provide the necessary directions when the time comes.  The Feb PCLOS Magazine is now out but nothing of this nature listed in it's Table of Contents.

  hightower,
 You beat me to it - you actually answered my question before I asked it.

 I was going to ask if there would be a need to reinstall /home - so I will be looking for the forth coming precautions that I am sure will be posted.

[Riki]

As far as mail is concerned I favo(u)r web based Googlemail accessible from any PC anywhere in the world. Your mail is always available (plenty of storage space) and you don't have to worry about backups.

[YouCanToo]

and you really believe that Google is going to keep your email safe and secure? 

[Riki]

and you really believe that Google is going to keep your email safe and secure? 

There is nothing safe and secure in cyber space or on computers. Thanks for reminding me!  Hard copying is still the best option for important documents.

[ebvt]

menotu, did you see Texstar's explanation of Mondo backup and archiving tool?
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,59705.0.html

That might help a lot

ebvt

[menotu]

Thanks ebvt; I just had a look and it's very comprehensive - the part I like most is the fact you can backup dual boot systems and bring them back as-is (or "as-was" in this case <grin> )