[enhancement] load existing backup settings

[kabanta]

use scenario: any situation where "Back in Time" needs to be installed -- and one wants to load pre-existing "Back in Time" snapshot information. Example: creating a "Back in Time" archive of entire hard-drive, reformatting the entire hard drive, installing new operating system, reinstalling "Back in Time" and then wanting to LOAD the "Back in Time" configuration information (to perform restore).

on linux, the current solution seems to be to copy the "Back in Time" files from .config/backintime folder on the backup medium to the equivalent folder on new installation.

suggested feature: add an option to "load pre-existing backup configuration" when "Backup in Time" starts and does not find such a configuration. (to make this even easier, it might also suggest the user look for a .config/backintime folder on the backup medium)

[nanolight (adrian-lamy)]

I totally agree with this issue.
But I would go further for the solution. The problem is that the user has to know that he also has to backup the ~/.config/backintime folder
But if he doesn't know that (like me 5 minutes ago) and a problem occurs, the Backintime GUI is not useful at all for him! If he is smart, he will go trough all the folder of his snapshots and copy-paste everything... Which is not easy at all
The solution could be that the configuration file will be copied in the folder of the backup [backup medium]/[backup path]/backintime
When BackInTime does not see any configuration file in the ~/.config/ folder, it will then ask the user:
"Do you want to make a backup or to restore?
In case of backup -> open preferences
In case of restore -> 'Select the snapshots folder (where are your existing backups)'

And backintime find his config file in the folder!! Tadaaa :)
It is pretty simple and it does the job
What do you think of that?

PS: To go even further, the user will not have to install backintime before starting to restore. The user is already upset to restore his files that we have to be nice with him.
The backintime folder containing his snapshots in his backup medium will also contain a file with a beautiful icon 'Restore my data!' This icon will lauch BackInTime if it exists or ask the user 'BackInTime is not present on your computer. Please click install if you want to backup your documents' Then, in both cases, when BackInTime opens, it takes the config file also present in [backup medium]/[backup path]/backintime and display the main window

[Bart de Koning (bratdaking)]

Actually you do not have to restore the whole config file, you just have to select the snapshot folder you used have and you will get all your snapshots back. However point taken, we will add it to the wishlist

[Bart de Koning (bratdaking)]

closely related to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/backintime/+bug/480272