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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Package up and transport a linux? (self.linux)

submitted 11 months ago by UnRelatedBurner to c/[email protected]

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I have a simple wish, with a probably not so simple solution.

I recently started with linux (Arch kde), I'm loving it, I quickly realized that this OS and almost all apps, are highly customizable, I'm laving that as well. My problem is the unavoidable reinstalls and that I have a laptop.

Is there any way that I can save all my configs, apps and my apps' configs, and transfer them over to my laptop, while almost having a very quick back-up. I realize that I could turn it into an ISO somehow, but that wouldn't work (I think) because my laptop has vastly different hardware. I also realize the partitioning problem. So in my idealistic world, there should be a solution that requires a clean install (from scripts or manual) and some .sh file, that installs all my apps, pastes all my configs and reboots.

So is this possible? and if yes, how should I go about this? did someone make a tool for this already? Or(!) can I burn it to a flash and the drivers will correct themselves/I'll deal with them later?

For final words I'd like to say that I'm far from finished configurating, but I'd like to know the proccess, to not shoot myself in the foot somewhere along the way of configing, thanks!

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[–] Drito 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

There is a pacman command that prints the list of all packages installed by users. I don't remenber the command sorry but you'll find that here:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Tips_and_tricks

Its probably "pacman -Qe".

Then it should be easy to create a script that install all that automaticcally. If your are cautious you should have a backup of your home anyway on some storage device .

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Huh, does everything store it's configs in ~/.config ? Is it some unwritten rule? That'd make life so much easier.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Unfortunately not every app follows that convention. A lot of them just dump config files into your home directory, including Firefox.

There's a script called XDG-Ninja that can list some of the apps that do that. You can probably get it from the AUR

[–] UnRelatedBurner 2 points 11 months ago

At least it's somewhat narrowed down, I'll try the app, thanks!

[–] Drito 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Sorry I edited my post, I was wrong.

.config stores many apps settings. But unfortunately some apps stores that directly in ~ as hidden files and directories. Personnally I make a backup of my whole home.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 11 months ago

oh, no problem, at least I know now. Thanks!