[KLUG Members] System Restore & Compare State

[Adam Williams]

> It is possible in windows to set a restore point and compare the differences
> between two restore points. Is there a functionality in linux to do the
> following:
> 1.Set restore points

These are simply incremental backups,  most backups support creating these.

> 2.Restore system to a previous date.

A restore?  Part of the wierd here is Windows has both a 'system state' 
(usually refering to crap in the registry) and data in the filesystem. 
In a real POSIX OS you just backup the filesystem - assuming you don't 
have configuration information in a remote LDAP server.

> 3.Find what software was installed between a specified period of time.

This is a job for the package management system,  using something like 
Red Carpet will provide you a nice history feature.  I don't know if 
Yast stores this information.