Like the idea of Fresh Install....

but finding all the prefs / settings / details/ etc / yadda yadda yadda = often I can't be bothered and I just do an Upgrade.

ditto

besides, the fresh install can always be done later, but not the other way around.

A new OS requires a fresh instal, IMHO.
(And its an opportunity to erase the HD and write zeros across it.)
The first thing I do is to clone my current running system onto a portable Firewire disk, and ensure it boots OK.
Then I have the opportunity to use the Migration assistant if I couldn't be bothered installing all the apps, setting prefs etc.

What's the point in doing this?

I always do a fresh install, I keep my files all nicely backed up so no issues there. Any cruft in the system thats hanging around gets deleted. I also do it to minimise any potential conflicts.

upgrading works fine - but I like to use these opportunities to clean up the system. so I usually do a full format and rebuild

Although mac file systems don't need to be *defragged* it does give your computer a little speed boost..
It also gives you an opportunity to totally 10000% verify every sector on your HDD for errors

So generally, most people suggest that a new install is the way to go. However, the CS3 issue is a real concern! There is little point doing a fresh install, only to discover I can't install CS3.

Considering the CS3 media is a pressed cd, how does one get passed this? I am assuming it needs to be a patch applied by Apple or Adobe BEFORE install. I doubt that they are going to send us new media.

1: Can anyone say for certain that the release Leopard has this Adobe issue?

2: Can you install Leopard without Safari, and load it after CS3?

3: How does Leopard/Bootcamp deal with a current install of XP on a partition?

The CS3 issue is bloody annoying. I'll have to stick with an upgrade-install. I only just found this out. So much for my new Hard-Drive plans. Guess I'll shelve those for a while.

I'd guess that Adobe will just release a new Installer that you download. It can just pull the resources it needs from the DVD. Which I think is how the installer works at the moment. It's very modular and not one big monolithic installer archive.

Al

So what would be the steps involved in, backing up my whole user folder effectively (all apps, prefs etc.), then copying it back to the driver after a fresh install? I want it so that when apps are copied back they are all set-up, especially cs3.. Thanks.

So leopard will supposedly have an option for a fresh install when I pop the disc in?

For what it's worth here's what I do:

Choose a computer as the first to get the new OSX.
Copy all user folders over to another computer. We leave this to run over night and have each user log in and do the transfer in order to preserve permissions perfectly.
Zap the computer with the new OSX and a wiped HDD.
Setup accounts.
Copy only those bits of the ~/library folders which are needed.
Test and copy more bits
Repeat
Etc
Now do the other computers.

Why this stupid way which can take a couple of days including extensive testing?
1) Not once has an archive and install worked for me. Probably due to my penchant for getting in as root and playing with groups and permissions - the OSX archive and install just can't hack it.
2) And I insist on installing any major upgrade on a clean slate for maximum performance - NO operating system can give us this with a basic upgrade.

I've had a good think, so an erase-install followed by a migration is the path for me. I'm thinking of getting a new 200Gb 7200rpm drive for my MBP for better speed (if I can't find a 250Gb one by then) so it will be easy.

Upgrade for me. OS X is designed to upgrade so that's what I'll do. I find it too time consuming to worry about a fresh install and don't see the need for myself to do it. I've never had any problems in the past.

discussed in the podcast.

jedda and anthony say fresh install, i'm lazy...