Backup program

[gold_finger]

Wouldn't be sufficient to just back up the files I created in my home folder and saved e-mails (if I can find them) and if the hard drive got corrupted just reinstall the OS and programs?

Yes.  That is pretty close to what I normally do.  Because re-installing is so easy, I don't bother making clones of the system partitions.  I just have backup copies of my important data files, any custom configs, scripts, etc. I've got, and I keep a running list of extra programs I install to the system.  If I change to another distro or update to later version, I just install the new one -- then install the programs I like from my list onto the new one.

I keep my data files on a completely separate partition (which doesn't get touched during any installation), so just link the new distro to it and am ready to go in no time.  I use the Luckybackup program for the data backups, which serve two purposes for me:
1.  To save me in case of a disaster if my data partition gets destroyed.
2.  To sync the same files from one machine to another.

In your case, the easiest thing to do would be to use Luckybackup to backup your /home/coastie directory.  That will backup any data in Documents, Pictures, Music, etc. and will also backup your hidden program configuration files.  If disaster strikes, just do a re-installation, add back any other programs you may have installed before, then use Luckybackup to restore your old /home/coastie in place of the new one.  Everything will be back to the way you had it.  Done.

(By the way, your Thunderbird and Firefox stuff will be restored as well following the above because those are contained under your /home/coastie directory also.)

I'd recommend using a USB stick or external HDD -- otherwise, over time, you'll end up with a million CD's/DVD's.  Just make sure you use one that has the capacity to hold what you're backing up.


Install Luckybackup and give it a try -- it's not hard at all.  Here are basic instructions to backup your /home/coastie directory.

*  Open program:  Menu -> Accessories -> Luckybackup



*  Along right, under "Task", click "+Add" -- which will pop-up a "Task Properties" window.



*  "Name:" -- Describe what this task is for -- eg. "Backup /home directory"
*  "Type:" -- this can be a "backup" or a "sync"; choose "Backup Source inside Destination".
*  "Source" -- type in, or navigate with file button to /home/coastie and hit "open"
*  "Destination" -- navigate to folder on USB/HDD where you want to backup to, hit "open"
*  Check the box next to "Do NOT create extra directory".  (If you were syncing files b/w source and destination you would leave this box unchecked.)

Here is picture of what it should look like.



Only difference you should see is the "Destination".  In this example I'm using a USB stick that I labeled "EXTRA" and has a folder on it called "Backups".  Yours will read differently.  (Side note:  when connecting a USB stick or external drive it will likely be mounted under either "/media", or "/media/coastie" -- so that's where you want to navigate to to find it in the file system.)

Once task is all filled in hit "Run" (top right).  Or, you can click the box next to "Dry", then hit "Run" to do a dry run test of the action.  The dry run will show you what your task is going to do and also report if something is wrong that may cause errors when doing the real Run.

So, there you go -- give it a shot now.  Think you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

P.s.  I normally do the backups manually, but you can use the schedule button (clock) on interface to set up automatic backups if you like.