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

-- 
[enhancement] load existing backup settings
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/480391
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Back In
Time Team, which is subscribed to Back In Time.

Status in Back In Time: New

Bug description:
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)

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