To backup data, here are some options:

• ditto
  • ditto -v -V -X src [ ... src ] dst
• cccloner

Below is my list of software and configurations needed for building my very comfy mac book pro:

• Always install Developer Tools!
• Google Chrome
  • Extentions
    • Delicious
    • Chrome Bird
    • Chrome Sniffer
    • Validity
    • Picnik
    • MeasureIt!
    • Session Buddy
    • Google Dictionary
    • Google Voice
    • Speed Dial
    • SpeedDate
    • AdBlock
    • InvisibleHand
• MacPorts
  • Download
  • ./configure
  • ./make
  • ./make install
  • edit .profile
    • export set PATH=”/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:$PATH”
    • export set MANPATH=”/opt/local/share/man:$MANPATH”
    • (optional)
    • export set DISPLAY=:0.0
• TextMate
  • Bundles Needed
    • Compass + Blueprint
      • mkdir -p ~/Library/Application\ Support/TextMate/Bundles
      • git clone git://github.com/grimen/compass_blueprint_tmbundle.git ‘Compass + Blueprint.tmbundle’
      • osascript -e ‘tell app “TextMate” to reload bundles’cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/TextMate/Bundles
    • SASS
      • mkdir -p ~/Library/Application\ Support/TextMate/Bundles
      • git clone git://github.com/mattpolito/sass-textmate-bundle.git ‘SASS.tmbundle’
      • osascript -e ‘tell app “TextMate” to reload bundles’
• HandBrake
• Alfred
• Quicksilver
• Divvy
• Dropbox
• Remote Desktop Connection
• FitBit
• Espresso
• Dropbox
• Disk Inventory X
• Cyberduck
• Coda
• CSSEdit
• OmniFocus
• MacVIM
• Emacs
• Coda
• Chromium
• AppCleaner
• bluegrid2
• Apache Directory Studio
• Transmit
• TweetDeck
• Twitterrific
• VLC
• VMware Fusion
• Growl
• Sequel Pro