Resetup my mac

[sourceninja]

I've had my mac for about a month now. I've installed a slew of software, tried things, found things I loved, hated, liked, etc. I've gone though a lot of learning as well.

I now feel that I am ready to setup my system for actual use. There are changes I want to make that seem easier to do if I just re-install the OS (such as change my short name and have a admin/restricted user setup). So I was planning to do that tonight.

Here is my plan

I already have current backups of all my music, videos, and important files (and application dmg files).

I will install a fresh version of OSx 10.5.
Setup my account (with a good short name this time)
After first boot, create a admin user
Log into admin user and remove admin from 'my account'
Setup wife's account.
Patch system to current patch levels.
Install the apps I use:
iLife 08
iWork 08
Growl
Adium
Coda
VLC
Handbreak
Transmission
Appcleaner (was concidering cleanapp, but not sure)
SimplyBurns
BusySync
Firefox 3
filezilla
xcode
truecrypt

Log back into my normal user and create an applications folder to test applications before installing them on the system for all users.
Import my itunes library and iphoto library (maybe into /Users/Shared instead of /Users/username?)
Copy over all important documents into my documents folders.
Enable firewall and setup filesharing (smb).

I think that is everything. Any tips or suggests (or maybe things I forgot?)

 

[timswim78]

- IF you have a new Mac, the iLife Apps should be included on the install CD. Why not have them installed with OS? It will save time.
- When you install the OS you can leave out language packs and printer drivers, saving a few GB's of space.
- I use iBackup to backup my Users directory to an external share. This free utility makes restoring files a breeze after an OS install. Backups are very fast, and you have lots of control over how they are done.
- Since you are going through all of the trouble to get things right, why not set your user icons, background, system preferences, setup your printer, etc.?

 

[sourceninja]

The install went well, iLife did have to be installed by itself. I couldn't figure out how to make it happen with the install, but no biggy. Now to install the software I want.