Backup illterate
 

I have a hopefully simple question, it's how to make full back ups with the Mint backup GUI tool. It looks really simple to use and i'm sure it is. I'm just confused on the difference between backing up root and filesystem. I couldn't find any relevant Google/Youtube search results...

Define "full backups".

Like how you would clone a VM in VirtualBox. But I think the better way rephrase the question is what woukd take more stoarge space if i backed up the filesystem or if I backed up root?

I need guidance someone who can explain what's the difference from using root or filesystem as the source? Also whats the difference from restoring from an directory and archive?

This looks like a good alternative.
https://community.linuxmint.com/soft...ew/luckybackup

Also this may be a good place to ask your Q since it's Mint specific.
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewforum.php?f=47

Im not looking for alternatives I plan to use rsync for backups, but I just want to know what all this means..

How long does it take you to re-install?
Compare re-installing to adding /etc/* to your backups

backing up / IMO for a newbie kernel developer, is a WOMBAT.
Waste of Money Brains and Time.
Just sayin'

I have throttled connection speeds, but this mainly for the information as it's a very basic task I feel that I should know.. Besides wanting to be a kernel developer I also want to be sys admin (cus I need to make money) and cyber security expert..

Have a look at http://amzn.to/2dvtmo6

What version of Mint are you on? Do you have a screenshot of the application you are using? Backing up 'root' and 'filesystem' sounds the same to me, too, but if you provide more information maybe an answer will surface.

Also, I would try posting to a Mint-specific forum, since I'm assuming the tool you're using is something specific to Mint.

And finally, have you tried reading the docs that come with the backup tool? maybe there's a help menu?

May I ask what it is before I click on It? No offence but I never click links (usually)

Mint 18, it's the default backup application called "backup tool" and there was not any docs or help tabs which I thought was very disappointing... UPDATE: when I backed up root it was instant and gave me all sub directories, when I backed up filesystem it took awhile... I encrypt my hardrive and use LVM, so maybe only the filesystem option can back that up?

OK, well it looks like its source code is online:
https://github.com/linuxmint/mintbackup

So you can post an "issue" (github speak for "bug report") with your question there.

Alternately, you can read the source code:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/li.../mintbackup.py

and see what it does yourself.

I see in another post that you're keen to do dev work on kernels, so getting in and reading source code is a great habit to get into :-)

Thank you all for at least replying, I see now that this is a Mint specific issue so Ill take my question there.

I cant program or even do shell scripting yet, Im just focused right now learning Linux administration so I can navigate around the system and know what im doing.. But thanks anyways for the advice!