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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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If you're frequently distro-hopping, I recommend using a seperate /home partition. I did that before I settled down, I can't begin to describe how convenient it was (especially if you use Flatpak).
To do this one could install the new distro on a new partition, boot to it, delete everything from the old installation except the hone directory, move your user to the base directory (/home/sorrybookbroke -> /sorrybookbroke) before editing your /etc/fstab and mounting the old partition to /home
This way, no external drive is needed like @Luci@lemmy.ca suggested. Of course, their suggestion is the easiest, but this is the one I personally chose.
this is so much more wlrk
Copy them to an external drive or another computer, copy them back after.
Chances are you're gonna wanna wipe the partition table on your switch over so I'd just copy them out then back in. No point over complicating things.
Yea, I was gonna say, have ya not heard of backups ? but this is better.
Just to add: some folders' files might need modifications in the new system, e.g. .config/
I'd recommend starting fresh. Make a new one but don't delete the old one. You can then copy over what you want without bringing over anything like dotfiles with bad settings.
WHY THERE ARE NOT.
Please have a partition for /home. In fact, you need partition for /usr, /var,.. too
Why? Serious question. I kind of understand /home, but why the others? I used to do it a bit, but now I don't bother. I never knew how big to make each partition, and have had problems where something like /boot fills up and freezes the system.
Just remove every directory except for /home/. Then install the new OS without repartitioning.
I'd be careful, not every distro plays nice when you do this. In my experience at least.
If /home is on a different partition just don't format it and set it to mount on the same place and you should be good to go. If it's not make a backup, then create a partition just for it, install your new system, restore the backup, and next time you won't need a backup.