Install programs from a backup

[spartykjc5389]

Here's my dilema -
I want to reinstall OS X 10.5 - but I'm afraid to do so - since I'm worried that I'm going to lose programs whose disks I do not currently have access to. I'm at college and the installation disks are at home. What I'm wondering is what options I have to be able to backup programs before reinstalling leopard (clean install) -- yet being able to reinstall these programs -- without the need for the original installation disks.

Is this possible?

Example Programs:
Microsoft Office
Photoshop CS3

 

[cyclingplatypus]

You could get an external drive and clone your current setup and then after the reinstall move those programs back (or use migration assistant), or you could just burn the programs to media and copy them over again.