backing up to usb stick?

[checktravis]

i have been running archlinux on my goflexhome successfully for about a year. in the last 2 days, i have messed it up trying to update and had to reinstall with a usb stick.

i was able to reinstall without loosing my data, but had to install and configure all my apps each time (minidlna, transmission, smba mainly)

is there anyway to copy and image of the os to a USB, and then just plug in the USB and restore it if needed?

I've looked through many backup options, but can't find one that works this way.

thanks

ps: here is my restore steps, should they be of use to anyone else in this situation:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', 'make an arch linux usb drive, put it in the goflex without the SATA drive.

wait for the solid green.

add back the SATA, it should be listed as smb if mounted after the usb, confirm with
#fdisk -l

reinstall archlinux on sdb1
mke2fs -j /dev/sdb1
tune2fs -L "rootfs" /dev/sdb1

mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt

cd /mnt
wget http://archlinuxarm.org/os/ArchLinuxARM-armv5te-latest.tar.gz
tar xvzf ArchLinuxARM-armv5te-latest.tar.gz
sync

cd /
umount /mnt

poweroff

remove the USB drive and restart the goflex and it should be all better.
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