Linux Server or External Hard Drive?

Should I get set up a Linux file server to make back ups for my computers or should I buy an external hard drive and set it up with Time Machine on my Mac?

Also, If I boot into Recovery Mode and select Reinstall Mountain Lion will it install OS X Mountain Lion without erasing my user files and settings?

mobilehaathi said:

The time machine option is "set it and forget it.". The Linux option is way more hands on. Which do you feel like dealing with?

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Hands on. But do you think you could answer my last question? Cause if I wanted to do a clean install and then re import my User files back on my Mac it would be really easy with the external hard drive. But, how would I import my User files from the Linux server back to my Mac after the clean install?

lewis82 said:

IIRC starting from Lion there is no "Erase and install" or "Archive and install" option. All is left is "Upgrade". You should check Apple's support database, it will surely be explained.

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So I can click the Reinstall Mountain Lion button and it won't erase everything?

lewis82 said:

I can't guarantee it but I think so. In doubt, back up everything.

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Yeah I think I'll back everything up before I try . So if it does delete everything how would I transfer the files from the Linux file server back to my Mac? I think I would know how if all my files were on an external hard drive but what if they were on a server.

We'll I discovered this thing called rsync that works really well for making a backups! I think I'll wait until I learn more about servers before I use one. But I still may get an external hd. Not sure yet.