The Pain-Free Guide to Switching Linux Distros

"We'll use the transition from Ubuntu Hardy Heron to OpenSUSE 11.0 as an example, but the basic steps are the same with most combinations of distros.

"The main drawback of a new installation is that it reformats your filesystems, destroying whatever files were on them. That's fine for the distro itself, but what about your personal files?

"The most important asset when switching from one distribution to another is a separate partition for /home. Not only does it prevent your personal files and settings from being destroyed when you're installing a different distro, it also gives you somewhere to save useful information, such as backups of system configuration files."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• openSUSE, Geeko of Many Colors(Apr 15, 2008)
• Is Ubuntu Becoming the Generic Linux Distro?(Apr 08, 2008)
• Debian-Based MEPIS Linux Distros Move Closer to Shipment(Sep 06, 2007)
• developerWorks: Automate OS Switching on a Dual-Boot Linux System(Mar 12, 2006)
• Editor's Note: How Many Distros Must a Man Walk Down?(Oct 14, 2005)
• Mandriva 2009 -The Ubuntu Killer(Nov 08, 2008)
• Examining Alternative Linux Distributions(Nov 04, 2008)
• Big Things Come in TinyMe(Oct 14, 2008)
• The 10 Best Linux Distributions(Oct 13, 2008)
• The Five Best Desktop Linuxes You Haven't Tried(Sep 26, 2008)
• Battle of the Linux Distros(Sep 26, 2008)