I'm writing a home backup routine and want to omit certain files and directories from everyone's home folder. I'm planning to omit all of these, but here's the question. What are they used for?
Directories:
.cache
.compiz
.config
.dbus
.dmrc
.gconf
.gnome2
.gnome2_private
.gvfs
.ICEauthority
.local
Files:
examples.desktop
.lesshst
.Xauthority
.xinputrc
.xsession-errors
.xsession-errors.old
These files and folders contain user specific setting. Desktop behavior and Application setting of each user is not same. These settings are stored in their home directory in hidden files and directory.
If you backup your whole home directory including the configuration files and folders, after restore,your settings also will be restored to its previous state.