I installed Ubuntu 6.10 on my Sony VAIO laptop about two weeks ago. Since then, I have installed umpteen modules/packages to get some functionality or the other working. Right from detecting the widescreen to being able to play MP3 files.

In the excitement of getting things to work, I did it in kind of an urgency. As a result, I don’t really remember which modules got working which functionality. The mode of operation was to google for the problem I had, then try out all the remedies various people suggested until one worked. I am pretty sure there are certain things I did that were not really needed. I want to start clean again and document the process. But looking back at it, it looks like a mammoth task.

So far I have used Synaptic Package Manager to install/remove all the packages. I wish there was something in the Package Manager that would tell me which packages I added since the initial install. Even better, it could export a list of packages that exist in my Ubuntu installation. Then I could import this file after a fresh install and get back to the state I am now. Similar could be done for .conf files that were added or modified.

Now, this may be wishful thinking or it may as well already in there somewhere. If it’s wishful thinking I think its a useful feature. If its already in there, I just haven’t found it yet. If you know something that does this, drop in a comment.