5 ms·

I've tried using a number of these solutions but I always have the same problem which is that after a while not using it regularly I'd want to make a change and

I've tried using a number of these solutions but I always have the same problem which is that after a while not using it regularly I'd want to make a change and forget the magic incantations, get frustrated and stop bothering. To be fair I also have this problem a lot administering my linux machines because they just work - until they don't. Then I have to re-learn what to do to fix the problem.

uyt 5y ago
Write a setup script with comments?
- alpaca128 5y ago
  I cut out the middleman and just wrote a script that copy-pastes all my config files into a git repo, and another one that copies them back. I'm sure there are better ways but this is just a list of `cp -r` commands, so no matter how tired I am that day it's dead simple to extend.
waheoo 5y ago
Yea I'm pretty sure I have a dotfile tool I haven't used for a few years. Between hourly snapshots and maintaining the same install for many years across many machines its all kind of a waste of time to me. It's way easier for me to clone a drive or restore from backups than fuck about trying to reinstall everything how I like it. I haven't installed Linux for years. Is it easier than dd yet? I guess maybe if you use multiple Mac's or something it's an issue?
petepete 5y ago
I use a very simple Makefile to install and remove my dotfiles. If you want to add a new one it's simply a case of creating a directory and adding your config file to it and running `make up` (with `down` to remove) You can change any of the files by accessing them via your .dotfiles directory or in their normal place - they're just symlinks. https://github.com/peteryates/dotfiles https://github.com/peteryates/dotfiles
chrisan 5y ago
Having had the same problem I ended up with this nice setup https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/dotfiles https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/dotfiles which is rooted in a post by HN's StreakyCobra https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11071754 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11071754 It has served me well for a few years now

uyt 5y ago

Write a setup script with comments?

alpaca128 5y ago
I cut out the middleman and just wrote a script that copy-pastes all my config files into a git repo, and another one that copies them back. I'm sure there are better ways but this is just a list of `cp -r` commands, so no matter how tired I am that day it's dead simple to extend.

waheoo 5y ago

Yea I'm pretty sure I have a dotfile tool I haven't used for a few years. Between hourly snapshots and maintaining the same install for many years across many machines its all kind of a waste of time to me. It's way easier for me to clone a drive or restore from backups than fuck about trying to reinstall everything how I like it. I haven't installed Linux for years. Is it easier than dd yet? I guess maybe if you use multiple Mac's or something it's an issue?

petepete 5y ago

I use a very simple Makefile to install and remove my dotfiles. If you want to add a new one it's simply a case of creating a directory and adding your config file to it and running `make up` (with `down` to remove) You can change any of the files by accessing them via your .dotfiles directory or in their normal place - they're just symlinks. https://github.com/peteryates/dotfiles https://github.com/peteryates/dotfiles

chrisan 5y ago

Having had the same problem I ended up with this nice setup https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/dotfiles https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/dotfiles which is rooted in a post by HN's StreakyCobra https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11071754 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11071754 It has served me well for a few years now