upgrade

I think it would be more of a "side-grade" than an upgrade since Ubuntu is based on Debian. However, it also different enough that you probably can't change from one to the other without reinstalling. I would suggest backing up all personal data including hidden folders containing preferences you want to keep and then doing a new install. You could probably do a full backup of your /home but I'm not sure if you could simply copy it back as there could be things saved by Debian that conflict with Ubuntu. Maybe not, but it might be better to selectively copy back just the preference files that are important rather than the whole directory. Maybe someone else could offer more insight on that.

I think you maybe right that it is a side-grade, but, the rest of it would be a last resort kind of thing. But, I appreciate you giving me the comment. TIA Jonathan

I'm pretty sure that if you want to move to Ubuntu you will have to install it from scratch. You can't just change out a few parts of an OS and have something else (at least something that works). That would be like changing the tires and fuel filter of a VW to make it a Porsche.

I have made several "side-grades" as of late. I find that if you 'copy' the home directory to a spare drive and then install ubuntu or whatever debian based system you want and then copy your home directory over the newly created one. Your old info is there. Except the panel add-ons.

http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20090817#feature