woodyear99 | # 1 | 2010-03-26, 04:38 | Report

Hi

I was wondering, is there a way to backup my installed applications? If I do not want to have to redownload apps from the repository each time I flash my device, is there a way to download the app install data from the repository and store it on my flash drive for installation later? This would be useful if I don't have internet access at some point when I need to reflash.


Thanks

GreatGonzo | # 2 | 2010-03-26, 05:24 | Report

How about regularly copying (rsync or tar) /var/cache/apt/archives?

Corso85 | # 3 | 2010-03-26, 06:08 | Report

if i had a penny for everytime i asked that question. :P

there seems to be no interest in this. it's againt the linux repo spirit it seems. :P

GreatGonzo | # 4 | 2010-03-26, 06:19 | Report

Why the attitude? You can set up an apt-proxy or set up repo install from cd "in the spirit". This shouldn't be any differnt. If I have some time tonight I'll post details.

edit: did see the so ignore the attitude comment.

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Last edited by GreatGonzo; 2010-03-26 at 06:22. Reason: typo

normaltusker | # 5 | 2010-03-26, 06:23 | Report

guys, i would be interested in this too! there are a few really large apps that we download and eactime i reflash my device, i need to wait eons for it to download and install!

Corso85 | # 6 | 2010-03-26, 06:54 | Report

my bad, was just kidding, i thought :P would get substituted with but it didn't.

I shall wait for your instructions

woodyear99 | # 7 | 2010-03-26, 11:49 | Report

Hehe glad it's not just me. I just assumed that I missed something when forum searching, seems like there should be a way to do this.

Corso85 | # 8 | 2010-03-27, 11:19 | Report

see, told you it's against the spirit . Nothing so far,

Ironically, on windows mobile. which is closed source. you can restore everything from ROMs. Not just apps. everything down to the conf files. .

Offline apt-get won't do. we need a full replica of the files. Lets say I have the .debs for DOSBox and Easy Debian. I "might" have overcome the problem of having to download them (Don't get me started on dependencies ) . But i still have to set them up again, right?. configure the files for Dosbox. re-download the image for easy debian.........you get my drift?

I know I know, now. One dude is gonna jump and say: "But you can take a copy of the DosBox conf file and also a copy of the Easy Debian Extracted Image...."... but you see. that would mean i have to remember every little customization i made..... there are many instances like this.....it's the customizations that are time consuming to re-do and are usually difficult to remember.


For a volatile, "geek device", "not phone, but computer". 100% restoration is essential.

I have thought about this theoretically. We have access to the entire file system. so copying the files might not be the hard part. it's resorting them. it has to be done in some other "Mode". to overcome the problem of files being "currently used"..

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Last edited by Corso85; 2010-03-27 at 11:47.

woodyear99 | # 9 | 2010-03-27, 13:45 | Report

I am not well versed in any of this technical stuff. I was wondering though when I use a repo to download an application why can't I just "save" whatever files it downloads? If I need to reinstall later on and use these same "files" why would that be any different from redownloading them?

Corso85 | # 10 | 2010-03-27, 14:14 | Report

Well. According to my knowledge of the subject of Linux repos. (I could be wrong)....Here is the concept behind it all:

Copying files would perhaps work for simple applications that are already compiled. but things are usually more complicated .....

The App Manager doesn't just download the application , it also downloads "dependencies" and executes install scripts. "Dependencies" are OTHER applications, libraries, packages.....that a given application needs in order to work........

For instance, Dump FTP server needs QT to work. Hotspot needs Python to work......and so on.....

That's why many times when you try to install an Application using only it's .deb, it won't work.

Also, the files of an application and its dependencies are not usually saved in one place. Some files go to /opt, some go to /usr, shortcuts go to .hildon.......

I believe install scripts also modify permissions to allow the execution of apps. so for instance, if I have the binary DFTP, and I copy it from Mobile A to Mobile B. I'll have to assign it Execute Permissions for it to work on Mobile B......

Also, sometimes the app is not even downloaded in binary form, and installer compiles it into a binary (something like an .exe in windows) on the spot from source and build scripts.......

That is why. I keep urging for a Full Backup solution. Meaning an application that would take a full mirror image of all partitions of the N900. It would be the reverse function of the Flasher 3.5

The benfits of this?

If one reaches what you would call a stable, personally customized condition of their N900. They could take an image, Before venturing into potentially risky tasks, such as:

1.Installing new apps for testing
2.Trying a new firmware updated
3.Any potential screw ups

Advantages of this over the usual Flashing?

1. I don't have to be online to completely restore my phone.
2. I don't have to rely on the Applications repos and most importantly the repos of its dependieces to be online at the time of flashing. Be that a week or a year from now. And they do gone down for many reasons, political, technical, or just simply Time.
3. I don't have to worry about re-doing all those .conf files of the various application am using.

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Last edited by Corso85; 2010-03-27 at 14:21.