Re: [Ubuntugnome-qa] Keeping the /home folder when reinstalling.

[Erick Brunzell <lbsolost@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Alfredo,

On 02/23/2014 03:34 AM, Alfredo Hernández wrote:
> I don't mind having a fresh install. I can move my files via a 
> external HD, I don't have a big amount of files anyway.

Any re-installation, upgrade, or partitioning presents some risk of data 
loss so I always follow the principle that the data you don't have 
backed up is the data you'll lose! So always assume the worst can happen 
- such as a power outage, loss of internet connection, or user/ubiquity 
errors!

> Probably I didn't express my self very well. I have always used a 
> /home partition, but the post I linked before suggests that there's no 
> need at all of doing that, as modern Ubuntu releases let /home folder 
> within / untouched when reinstalling (aka upgrading via LiveUSB) the 
> system.

Sort of, but only sort of :^)

If you have only one Ubuntu based OS on a system you should be offered 
the options to reinstall or upgrade while retaining some of /home - but 
only some!

For instance if you have Ubuntu GNOME 13.10 installed with no other 
Ubuntu based installation in a dual/multi boot and try to install with a 
Trusty iso you should see an option something to the effect of "Upgrade 
Ubuntu GNOME 13.10 to Ubuntu GNOME 14.04, Documents, music, and other 
personal files will be kept. Installed software will be kept where 
possible. System-wide settings will be cleared".

Or if you have Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 installed with no other Ubuntu based 
installation in a dual/multi boot and try to install with a Trusty iso 
you should see an option something to the effect of "Reinstall Ubuntu 
GNOME 14.04, Documents, music, and other personal files will be kept. 
Installed software will be kept where possible. System-wide settings 
will be cleared".

The important part is - "Documents, music, and other personal files will 
be kept. Installed software will be kept where possible. System-wide 
settings will be cleared".

Based on my own personal testing this also works well to flip from one 
flavour to another, but NOT as well as a truly fresh install!

All PPA's will be disabled, basically if a package is not available in 
the default repos it will not be reinstalled and you'll have a totally 
fresh user profile so you'll need to reinstall some packages and reapply 
your own personal tweaks.

> If that's the case, what's the real advantage for a user of having 
> /home in a separated install? I've always used it just to keep my 
> personal files when reinstalling, but the post suggests there's no 
> need at all of doing this.

None in my opinion, but that's only my opinion :^)

I prefer at least dual-booting, like on my media box I have Ubuntu 12.04 
on one partition but Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 on another. So if I encounter a 
problem with 14.04 I can simply reboot and get into my stable Precise.

Lance

PS: I think I'm about the only one that tests Upgrade (image) but it is 
nice for the simple end-user, nicer than the upgrades via the 
update-mangler.