Advice on which files should be backed up

**ibates** · April 30th, 2013

All HDD will eventually give up the ghost (Confusius 400 BC).

To prevent much teeth gnashing and hair pulling, I believe it is a wise move to have backed up all files which might be needed and which can't be easily replaced or replicated by a new clean installation and installing available apps again.

But; which folders/files should be back up - forgetting the rubbish and data files created since the beginning? (What to do with them is probably more an issue of emotion rather than necessity).

I would appreciate any advice on this subject. Storage space is not a problem, nor is time to backup.

**codemaniac** · April 30th, 2013

few important directories to back up in a Linux file system are /etc, /home , /var . Always good to have them backed up.

You can also take a snapshot of the installed packages every now and then.

Code:

dpkg --get-selections > installedPackages.dat

and also "The Tao of Backup".

http://taobackup.com/

**tubbygweilo** · April 30th, 2013

ibates,
I would suggest that user created data ie your family photographs, your own and purchased music and I am sure you can think of many more examples should I think be your first concern as a system can always be recreated via a new install. This may help https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BackupYourSystem I have used Deja Dup https://help.ubuntu.com/13.04/ubuntu...es.html#backup but please remember It is a good idea to verify backups and if possible store them on an external device.

ATB