It should be evident that I use both a Mac OS X and a Linux on a daily basis. OK, I admit that I use Mac OS X more but hey, Linux isn't that far behind. :)
Anyway, one of the issues everyone faces in upgrading from one OS version to another is data migration. Think of how much of an issue this is when you switch from one OS to another – it is not that easy. The easiest migration process that I have seen so far came from, again, Mac OS X. However, I stumbled upon Michael Larabel's blog entry on ubuntu's Migration Assistant and I found it a good introduction to this nifty tool.
Whilst it is not perfect, it does look promising. We have to start somewhere, right? :) Now, start sending your favorite distro maintainers an e-mail and ask them to help improve this tool. I am sure that it will make switching to Linux a more pleasant experience.
The migration-assistant will be found in Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn and makes it easier to move your documents and settings over to Ubuntu from other operating systems. Switching Linux distributions can be a pain, but switching from Windows to Linux can be a disaster for most people. The Ubuntu migration-assistant hopes to lessen this impact by making the transfer of settings and files MUCH easier.