[milf]

I'm shortly going to re-install OS X on my TiBook to clean house a bit (sorry, habit from my not-so-long-ago PC days). I can't stand clutter on my system and know that there are a ton of applications/files/etc. installed on my machine that I never use.

Anyway, the point of this post is that this is my first time backing up a Macintosh system. In my [sad] Windows days, I had the OS on a seperate partition, so re-installing was a synch. Now, however, I'm a bit more concerned with losing valuable data. Now, I know this varies from system to system, but can anyone give some pointers as to what they usually backup before a fresh install? Here is what I have so far:

• Folders to backup include mp3s, pictures, sites, and documents
• iTunes playist - This seems to be straighforward. Just do export playlist, right?
• address book contacts - This, I'm not sure about. I see an option to backup the database, but where is it backed up to and does this hold all of my contact information? Will I be able to restore this database later?
• I'm using Apple's standard mail program. How do I back up the email messages and things like filters, rules, etc.?

I'm a bit nervous about this, so any feedback for a first-timer would be appreciated it. Thanks for the help.

[Jerommeke]

I have access to two drives of which the back-up drive is always the bigger one, which feels like a comfort. I copy almost all non-Apple apps, my Home folder and maybe some necessary extensions/hacxies/logs you want to keep which are in the Main library folder. And the home directory of others if it is a multi user folder.

In that way you couldn't lose anything I think. However, the last backup was before using Mail, iCal and Address Book needless integrated, so you'd better look at those ones if you use those, especially the two latter ones.

[milf]

In that way you couldn't lose anything I think. However, the last backup was before using Mail, iCal and Address Book needless integrated, so you'd better look at those ones if you use those, especially the two latter ones.

Phew! I completely forgot about iCal, although it probably would have crossed my mind at some point or another. I know I need to back all these things up, but I'm not sure how.

logs you want to keep which are in the Main library folder

I'm sure there are some fairly important files in the library folder, but which ones specifically should I back up?

[Jerommeke]

Most of the content in the Library folder at the top of your drive (a different one then the one IN your home dir) is installed at system install. However, for example: my firewall logs are stored in it.