Sparky Wiki

Sparky Backup Core lets you backup your existing Sparky installation, and create a new iso image of it. The tool is based and forked from Remastersys.

 sudo apt-get install sparky-backup-core

Sparky Backup Core provides two tools:

• Sparky Backup - text based, which creates a new iso image.

• SparkyLinux Installer - a text and Yad (GUI) based live installer which lets you install your Sparky based re-spin on a new partition, disk or machine. The tool is called Sparky Advanced Installer, and is available in all Sparky iso images.

Usage of the 'sparkybackup' tool in a text mode is manual only, preparations need to be done step by step by you, before starting the process.

The tool configuration is placed in /etc directory:

 /etc/sparkybackup/sparkybackup.conf

Edit the file by a text editor, as root, and change options as you like:

• a. - Working directory (make sure you need up to 20 GB of space to create 4GB iso image):

 WORKDIR="/home/sparkybackup-sys"

• b. - The live system label:

 LIVECDLABEL="SparkyLinux"

• c. - New iso image name:

 CUSTOMISO="sparkylinux-4.6-arch-desktop.iso"

etc.

I suggest not changing the live system user name, simply leave is as it is (live).

Your desktop configuration should be copied to the /etc/skel directory to use it in a new live system.

Simply copy (as root) any desktop environment or window manager configuration to skel, for example:

JWM:

 sudo cp ~/HOME/.jwmrc /etc/skel/

Openbox:

 sudo cp ~/HOME/.config/openbox/* /etc/skel/.config/openbox/

etc., etc.

Make sure that the target folder exists in the 'skel' directory.

After creating your custom settings, the building process can be started via the command:

 sudo sparkybackup dist

A successful build will place your new iso image, package list and check sum files in your working directory. Copy them to other location, before building next one.

After the building process is completed, and you copied the iso and other stuff to a different location, you HAVE to clean the working directory BEFORE making another iso image:

 sudo sparkybackup clean

Starting from version 20171009, the tool was upgraded with text line shortcuts called “spb”, for example:

• spb dist = sparkybackup dist
• spb clean = sparkybackup clean
• spb edit = nano /etc/sparkybackup/sparkybackup.conf
• spb cache = apt-get autoremove + apt-get clean + aptitude purge ~c

You might also read the Tricks & Tips page.