So after much though I eventually choose a new laptop. This means it is time to move between computers you might find my procedure and check list useful.

While moving between computers its a good idea to consider this as a test of your disaster recover method. Can you do this quickly with no data loss

Step One on old computer

Backup Data

Backup all data and ensure no critical data will be lost. A key part of the strategy is to choose the right time of the year. For me end of the academic year is the best as marking is finished and weekly todos are greatly reduced.

It should be observed that this backup will not be used as part of the setup of the new computer its just a good idea to have it.

Step Two on new computer

Install software and transfer data

Many years ago prior to cloud services this would have been a two part process but now an all in one go approach works best. Firstly install and log into your web browser of choice, in my case Chrome, as this will bring all you usernames and passwords on to your new computer.

Next install and setup file storage in my case Dropbox. (TopTip leave your old computer logged in and turned on so Dropbox can LAN sync.)

While file storage is syncing install any drivers for required external hardware.

Next install specialist must have software.

If all this has gone ok then I am keeping the new computer so it’s time to move ssh keys across and also install and setup Git to bring in important data from version control external repos. Externally hosted git repos contain all my text file data with the exception of my ssh keys so install ssh keys and git allows me to pull my emacs config file. That makes it time to install emacs as well.

Im an Evernote users so I would install Evernote at this point and then allow it to do its first sync.

While Evernote does it first sync I would continue to pull down git repos of current projects.

Once required repos are pulled I then continue to setup my development environments that are based on Docker containers. This is an ongoing process as all containers are documented within git repos so configuration of a container is initially just a matter of pulling the right repo.

Finally OS based tinkering, manual screen saver triggering for security and passwords immediately required after screen saver activation are the two I always do first.

Half Time Observation

If you have got to this point and have not need to reach for your old computer and/or need to make use of the data backup made at the start of this process than your disaster recover would probably work if you ever actually need it. Well done.

Step 3 on old computer

Now that transition is complete the old hardware needs to retired appropriately. Either remove and secure or wipe the old hard drive. If the hardware is being recycled by a third party I would remove the hard drive. If I am giving the computer to someone I know then I would wipe the hard drive and reinstall OS.

The Check list

[ ] Data backup [ ] Internet Setup [ ] Google Chrome [ ] Dropbox [ ] Sound Card Drivers [ ] Ableton Suite [ ] Max [ ] SSH Keys [ ] Git [ ] EMacs [ ] Evernote [ ] MiniAudicle [ ] Docker [ ] Jekyll [ ] OS Config [ ] Data Wipe [ ] Dispose