Dear all,

My Linux installation is on its last legs and I have decided to install the new Linux Mint (19) when it comes out in a couple of days. I seem to recall reading some time ago that there's a way to generate a file with a list of the software packages I have installed and use the terminal to install these packages on the new installation. Does this ring any bells with anyone?

Thanks in advance for any hints and tips.

Regards

The BEST way is to list (on paper) what you use often and work from that.
Second best is to use the command line to create a file containing everything installed.
The problem with this is that it will contain packages that you do not need, requirements for the versions you have installed now that might NOT be required for your new install, and other items not needed.

Still, it might be a good start.

The more significant thing is if you have custom lists or configurations that you might need in your new install. If you use a feed reader you will want to export the feed list for import on your new install. Does your browser sync bookmarks, history, extensions, and settings so that you can recover those painlessly, or will you need to detect and list those for manual recovery? What of data such as documents, music, pictures? Take some time to record or back up any non-OS items that you might regret losing.

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The simplest thing to do is to make a list of everything in the menu. Most of the packages you've installed will be dependencies brought in by those programs. This time, make a document called something like "configuration" in which you can keep a record of software you've added, things you've altered, etc … it makes life much easier!

Also, do you have /home on a separate partition? That too makes life easier if you have to install from scratch rather than update: you don't have to recreate /home from backups and all your configuration is preserved.

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Try out version 19 via live boot before you install.

How is an installation on its last legs? What do you define that state of condition to be?

People have had Linux installed on systems since the 'aughts (2000's) and all has been fine.

Did you just tinker so very much with it? EDIT: And what distro did you have before?

Your system specifications may be very helpful to know here.

Yes there are the ways discussed above by others.

(Sadly?) I'm a seat of the pants person, but for a few reasons.

1. I try to remember what I need, and also figure that if I don't recall it, then I never use it, hence I don't need it.
   1. A caveat is that I do have all sorts of personal scripts, programs, and settings for things like emacs, which I keep in backups, as well as on all systems I use, and would ensure that I make one final backup, yet again.
2. Newer, or different distributions, and especially if it is an update after years of having run something older, will contain all sorts of new bells and whistles, as well as replacement bells/whistles that may obsolete whatever I had before.

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I suggest you install the new distro, then search the new repos for anything that is missing from your old list.
Not everything will be available or might conflict with the new system.

Note that you can probably keep your old /home directory but that /etc will contain configuration files that you may wish to keep.
Additionally, you need to dig out any useful scripts or crontab entries.

Keep a copy of /etc/passwd as this contains a list of user-UID and default group-GID entries.

The first user installed in Mint is given a UID of 1000 (and gets admin capabilities).

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I install stuff as I need it. After a few weeks I have everything back on.

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