The following is not a rumor, it's something that will (finally) become reality in future releases of the Ubuntu operating system. First of all, let me offer you a simple example: I want to reinstall my Ubuntu system and I have to back up a part of the settings from various applications (such as Firefox's bookmarks, passwords and settings; Filezilla's site manager list; some Pidgin files; Thunderbird's RSS feeds; VirtualBox settings and virtual hard drives; and some other files), not to mention that I have to remember and reinstall most of the applications I use, how I arranged the shortcuts on the AWN dock, and many other desktop settings. How long will this take? A lot of my precious time!

How can this be solved? Well, it appears that some developers are preparing a new application, called OneConf and based on the Ubuntu One service. The basic idea behind the OneConf app is to save a list of the installed programs and their settings & state. How will this be achieved? Simply, by synchronizing all the information and files with the Ubuntu One online storage service. This means that, when OneConf will be available, I'll be able to save everything I want (or most of them) with a few clicks, reinstall my system, put back all the files with a few other clicks, and the entire process should take a few minutes (not to mention that is mostly automatic, as the OneConf application will know where to put the files back and what applications it should install).


Above is a mockup of OneConf, which should be integrated in the Ubuntu Software Center application. Here are a few other possible scenarios where the OneConf app will be more than useful and time saving:

"A user reinstalls Ubuntu and would like to easily reinstall some/all his/her applications from his old install. The user also wants to easily restore some/all of their settings from their old install."

"A user has a desktop computer and a netbook. The user wants to keep some/all of their applications in sync on the two computers, but doesn't want the default choices between ubuntu-netbook and ubuntu-desktop seed to be synced (like in maverick, firefox vs chromium, rhythmbox vs banshee)."

"A user has two computers, a personal computer and a work computer. Since the types of programs they use at home are different [from] the programs used at work the user wants to save an independent list of applications and settings for each computer."

The OneConf developers also consider the possibility to restore settings from the Ubiquity installer. This way, when the new Ubuntu installation is over, you will have all your applications and settings back, and you can start using the computer right away! No time wasted reinstalling and reconfiguring the entire system. Finally!

Adventurous users can test OneConf from here. Be aware that the project is in alpha state and it may crash your personal computer.