I used to run 2k, which I used to reformat every ~6 months, b/c it eventully slows, down, I'm sure many of you can relate.

Anyways, does Linux require this sort of managment It seems like it doesn't seeing that it doesn't have a centralized registry, but I wonder...

If NO, then that is very good, b/c I;'ve invested a lot of time setting up my first linux installation (RH9) to my liking, and it would be nice if I could keep it this way.

And say when RH10 comes out, I could jsut start the install process and tell it to install over my present RH installation and it would keep all my prefs. Is this correct??
And does the same apply to other distro? Especially Debian, which I think I might want to install in a seperate partition to try out


And if YES, is there any way i can backup all my preferences, and all my application preference?

Thanks!!

No, Linux does not need periodic reformats.

In regards to upgrading distros, it's usually better to do a clean install so you don't have any old files hanging around. However, the best part is that if you save your /home directory (which most people put on a separate partition), you've saved all of your application preferences. Also, you can use the same /home partition for multiple distros and your application preferences will be synced for all of them.

1. No reformat/reinstall necessary in linux;

2. Upgrade installs suck in every OS I've ever tried and linux is no exception. The best thing for keeping all your preferences is to have /home on a separate partition and do a fresh install without reformatting /home;

3. You can back up your preferences by backing up your /home/user directory. As for software, that's problematic. With major revisions in glibc or other libraries, some older software may not work. RH uses rpms and you should install rpms which have been made for your version. Older ones will often install fine but not infrequently you'll get an error message if you try to install an rpm compiled on an older version. As a general rule, the larger and more complicated the program, the more likely you'll have a problem.

Are all application prefs saved in the /home directory, if i install all the programs in that directory?

And the same /home will work in all distros?

You shouldn't install programs to your home directory. They typically go in /usr/local
I don't think /home prefs will transfer across all distros.

if a separate partition is mounted as /home in all distrobutions, then Yes, your app settings will transfer.

That is, those that store their prefs in /home/user/.whatever

-Shade

You might want to backup some /etc/ files too, because they contain system wide settings, you've made when you were configuring your display as root, etc...

And all your personal settings are stored in your personal home directory, as said before. It's the only place you may modify files. Enable "view hidden files" in your file manager, and you'll get the clue.

is reformatting a lot of times good for the harddisk , i heard it would decrease its life time (ofcourse once in a 6 months wont be a problem ) , but some guys in my college wont give a try for troubleshooting , if something goes wrong with the box . they start reformatting and reinstall .....

No, reformating a lot will not decrease the life of the hard drive.

What will?

Dropping it.

i suggest you make several potential root partitions so if and when you upgrade you can just install to one or the other and still have a working one should the new one go poof

Just one thing: If you use the ext2 file system, I'd suggest upgrading it to ext3. ext3 has a journal feature, (like ntfs), that enables the system to restore a half-completed operation. If you couldn't shut down your machine properly, you won't experience data loss.

in win2k you dont have to format every 6 months either.

have u tried defragging?

well...mabye more like every 6-12 months....I just like having a fresh install :P

So I shouldnt install programs to my /home? thats what iv been doing mostly......