Pqluglist- Upgrade to Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx

[Parksville-Qualicum Linux Users group mail list]

Yes, a separate /home partition makes upgrades/reinstalls/backups easier and safer.

As for the applications you need to reinstall, you can get a list of what you 
currently have by using dpkg. In a terminal (or Ctrl-Alt-F2) use:

  'dpkg --list'

You can also use pipes and redirects to modify the output:

  'dpkg --list > ~/applications.txt'

or:

  'dpkg --list | grep python > ~/pythonapps.txt'

That said, I've never actually used the lists I've created after I've done a 
fresh install. I'm always fooling around and installing stuff that I try but 
never use so it's kind of nice to start fresh and only install apps that I 
actually use. Still, it's good to know that I have the list sitting on my backup 
disk just in case.

If you want to experiment, you can also automate the reinstall of all your 
applications. Use:

  'dpkg --get-selections > ~/applications.txt'

Then after your fresh install restore the applications.txt file and do a:

  'dpkg --set-selections < ~/applications.txt'

This 
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?s=221a4fa95c06c02c112bdb29ff4407b1&t=261366 
may be helpful if you want to try the auto-app-install.

Alfred

Parksville-Qualicum Linux Users group mail list wrote:
> I did a clean install.  I do have my home folder on its own partition, which
> makes re-installation really quick and easy.  You have to reinstall some
> software, but all your data and preferences are preserved.
> 
> Ken
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