Upgrading Linux Distribution
 

I currently have openSUSE 11.4, 64-bit, KDE desktop environment. I would like to upgrade to the 12.1 version.

I found a couple of guides for doing it:
http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-upg...top-and-server
http://how-to.fm/how-to-upgrade-opensuse-11-4-to-12-1/

But unfortunately, I cannot find a guide that tells me how to preserve Firefox's bookmarks and add-ons; address book, stored e-mails and add-ons for Thunderbird; KDE customizations; printer setup; ALSAMIXER setup... I am assuming that all the customizations will be wiped out when upgrading from 11.4 to 12.1 using the default setup.

Poking around the Internet, it would appear that I need to make a copy of my current (11.4) /home directory. But when I install 12.1, do I have to copy over the entire (11.4) /home directory or just some files? Which ones? (Do I need to copy or back up /home??) What else needs to be done?

Does anyone know where I can find a good tutorial for what I want to do?

PS: I understand that some of the pros think that it is not necessary to upgrade the distribution version. (If it ain't broken, don't fix it! etc. etc.) But I am a newbie and would prefer to keep current with my Linux distribution!

Thanks.

I would be very cautious about following random web tutorials, why do you not use the upgrade instructions on the OpenSUSE website?

http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:System_upgrade

Thanks for your reply.
I don't think that the article addresses how to upgrade to openSUSE 12.1 while keeping all the customizations made with 11.4.
Am I overlooking something?
--
tb

Personal documents/settings are stored in your /home folder (usually in hidden folders such as ~/.mozilla) and shouldn't be affected by the upgrade. (Obviously a good idea to back up first, in case something goes wrong.)

But I'll repeat my recommendation: Trust the official OpenSUSE documentation, not some Internet stranger like me. :)

For example, the 12.1 Release Notes: http://en.opensuse.org/Portal:12.1