the problem with legacy installs

By basd on Dec 18, 2008 | In kde4, linux, opensuse

One would prefer not to lose all one's data merely because of installing a new linux version. So, I maintain /home on a separate partition and do not reformat it with new installs. This way, the entire operating system is new, but the data is preserved (as is my configuration data).

...

BUT ... that's not always good enough. And the truth is, I put my critical data on redundantly on yet other partitions & even other computers/hard drives. Because sooner or later, there is no other choice but a totally "clean install" -- either intentionally, or by accident.

So, as I noted in my earlier post, Kwin "effects" now work! But, not so fast grasshopper. That was only in the "new" user I created.

Returning to my "old" user, any attempt to select "effects" in the personal settings crashes the desktop and sends everything back to the login screen. (As was happening before the upgrade.) So, my best guess is that there is a "settings parameter" or two that is messing everything up. But, I have no way to figure out precisely WHICH setting that might be, or where. Is it in /.kde4? /.config? I have no idea. Probably not /.kde4, as I have crashed KDE 4 several times and deleted the /.kde4 directory. But I could be wrong on that.

I can copy all of my data and script files/directories to a new user, but that means doing a whole new setup (and also I might forget to copy something). So the alternative is to leave a trail of abandoned "users" (and that is rather space-wasteful and untidy).

This is why god requires hard drives to fail every so often. You then have no choice but to create a completely clean install and the trail of trash disappears. Along with stuff you kept thinking you might want to look at again someday, but long ago forgot what it was, or where to find it.

Well, I don't know if that's true for "you", but it's definitely true for "me."

Thank you for listening and have a pleasant tomorrow.