Upgrading to Ubuntu 20, *how* to back up?

[Peter Flynn]

On 25/04/2020 14:09, Bo Berglund wrote:
> I have seen this disclaimer on so many pages describing the upgrade to
> a new Ubuntu version:
> 
> For example on this page:
> https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-upgrading-ubuntu-desktop#1-before-you-start
> 
> they write:
> 
> "We recommend that you backup your existing Ubuntu installation before
> you update your computer."
> 
> But nowhere do they mention *HOW* to do the backup!

Probably because there are dozens if not hundreds of ways to do it.

> It drives me nuts when they all assume that the general user knows how
> to back up his entire system.

If you are running your own computer system, you definitely should know 
how to do this. Otherwise it's like driving a car without knowing where 
the brake pedal is.

> Why can you not at least put a link on the page targeting a webpage
> describing how to accomplish the backup?

Because what might be a good idea for one user may be a bad idea for 
another. Then someone would want to sue because it went wrong.

> As it is now I believe the majority (like me) do not know how to go
> about this and just skip the backup step.

I think you're probably right, but it is easily googleable.

> So please:
> Where is a sensible easy-to-follow description on *how* to back up
> prior to a system upgrade?

1. Buy a USB drive with a bigger capacity than your computer's disk
2. Plug it in
3. Click on Menu > Administration > Backup Tool (or equivalent*)
4. Follow the choices

* It's probably named differently depending on what system you have.

That will back up your home directory and everything in it. That's fine 
for most people, because the rest of your system is stuff that gets 
reinstalled by a new version.

If you really want to back up the whole system (it will take longer), 
install something like timeshift, which works like Apple's TimeMachine.

Peter