Just started Ubuntu and I have some questions about upgrading

I started using Ubuntu last December after being tired about viruses and malware while also wanting to try it out. So far, I like it very much and I believe it has given more life to my HP 5310m ProBook.

Currently I'm using the 10.10 release. Once the 11.04 release come out, will my update manager automatically download and let me know I can upgrade? When I upgrade, will I have to remove everything from my notebook first and then upgrade or do I think of this is as like most Windows updates and still have everything on my notebook?

Also, while I'm very happy with my 300GB 7200RPM hard drive, I may make the move to SSD towards the later years when prices are right. Is there a way to keep my settings such as aesthetic tweaks or settings in my programs once I get the new hard drive? Or will I have to just transfer all my files over once I've installed the OS onto it and start all over with my settings? Thanks.

 

Yeah the update manager should notify you of the new version and let you upgrade.

It'll download all of the new packages and install them, it'll probably take a half hour or so. You don't need to reinstall or anything, it's an in-place upgrade. You can even use the system while it's updating.

 

Thats one of the many great things about ubuntu is it runs very seamless. I did the update from 10.04 to 10.10 on a working server and the server didnt miss a beat. Just an update install and business as usual.

 

However, be sure that in the settings you have show all releases enabled and not only long term support releases. If that is the case, then the upgrade should be like any other update.

As far as the settings go: I am quite certain, that you should be able to clone everything or just copy your system settings somehow. In case of program settings, copying the home folder should suffice.

 

That's nothing special about Ubuntu. Many other Linux distributions support that. What you should not do is to skip releases during the upgrade process. So switching from one LTS to another might be tricky if the support for one or more non-LTS releases in between has already been discontinued.

Basically yes, but copying the home folder will not suffice. You'll also need to "copy" the state of your package manager since it makes no sense to copy the settings folder of a software (say gimp) that you installed on your old installation but not yet on the new one. To do that manually might be tricky sometimes because you might have installed software that is not so obviously to be seen (e.g. rsync as a dependency of grsync). Therefore one should use automatic procedures like dpkg --get-selection and --set-selection.
Migrating from an HDD to an SSD by cloning the whole disk is no good idea, because the requirements for the file system are different.

 

For making a list of installed packages (and re-installing them from that list) have a look at the first post here
HowTo: Create a list of installed packages - Ubuntu Forums

Also, when copying the /home folder, don't forget to unhide the hidden files first! (ctrl+h)

 

I know its not an Ubuntu only feature, it was just the distro we were discussing. I just love how I have a production server update to a new version in no time and the server never missed a beat. I wish the same could be said about windows server...

 

Ubuntu explicitly supports upgrades from one LTS release to another.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes

Quote:
To avoid damaging your running system, upgrading should only be done from one release to the next release (e.g. Ubuntu 9.04 to Ubuntu 9.10) or from one LTS release to the next (e.g. Ubuntu 6.06 LTS to Ubuntu 8.04 LTS).
Endquote:

 

Then it shouldn't be presented as an Ubuntu only feature. This needlessly creates borders within the Linux community because many people who managed to look beyond their Windows nose still have problems to look beyond the Ubuntu nose.

Thanks! I didn't know this. Then something different must have broken my dist-upgrade attempt from dapper to hardy.

 

People are going to do this on their own. Speaking about a specific distro will not effect this. Closed minded people will be closed minded no matter how much you try to open them up to new ideas. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

Ok, you have a point here.
I guess after trying dozens of distros I'm just annoyed of always hearing Ubuntu here and Ubuntu there without the note that Linux as a whole is way bigger than Canonical.

 

Yeah I agree, as well as I am one of those ubuntu users. I honestly havent tried many distros so Im guilty of being somewhat of an ubuntu fanboy.