xfconf-query -l | sed -r -e '/Channels:/d' | while read line; do xfconf-query -lv -c "${line}" | sed -r -e "s/^/${line} /"; done > my-settings.xfconf

Xfconf-query is the way to inspect, and modify, current settings which can then be made persistent upon properly closing Xfce4.

HoaS - very efficient indeed, but a little above my skills right now.

As for the questions - I'm lookig where xfce writes custom keyboard shortcuts. I've foud file /home/user/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts.xml but I'm not sure if this is it?

Another option is to create an ISO image to install a pre-configured system. I use live-build for that but fsmithred's live-sdk & refractasnapshot are alternatives.

I have many of my home folders on separate hard-drives (for a few reasons, plentitude (older spinners), security and convenience).

I have links setup those directories from a script after a fresh install, including fstab (not often but sometimes I have to rearrange or lookup the uuid's)

Once that is done I can install and setup packages for my system and favourite programs. (I backup nearly all the previous packages downloaded to help with reinstall/restore without a network.)

Then I use backup/restore scripts selectively to setup my system, networking, firewall, proxy, grub (graphics) and apt sources and then install nVidia graphics module.

After all of that I can check for updates.

I usually start using the user system from scratch and modify it to look and behave the way I (can) want. I do it this way as to avoid clutter and any mistakes I may have made in the last usable session when I broke it :-) .

I developed this approach over the years because I didn't have a reliable internet connection but wanted to reinstall as quickly as possible. It's not fully automated but I can have reinstalled in less than half an hour (utilising ss hd's and memory sticks rather than dvd for the Distro iso's)

So, yes it is possible. :-)

I hope this helps.

[edit]
p.s. I have no secrets, so ask if you want.

by the way, The first packages I make sure I have is nano, rsync and locate and gpm (mouse, cut copy and paste from a console). I don't use sudo.

Glenn

I configure the first user of the box and then modify the scripts to add new users using /etc/skel. See man adduser

I really don't like the first idea because that way you can end with a lot unnecessary files and you risk copying something that is already broken or would break the fresh install.

Setting everything with a script is much better in a way that you write script once and you are done. Troubleshooting is much easier too IMO, and you dont need to care about backups for config files.
Right now I have a script that can cover basic configuration on couple different machines. Things like power management on a laptop with powertop, tweaking kernel parameters, installing firmware, drivers and software, ricing Desktop, etc.
It's still work in progress, but after using it twice already it's much faster than doing all the things by hand.

Aside from data handling is copying better than script when it comes to setting desktop environment?

inb4 - don't reinstall, fix what is broken :^)