Can data be lost when migrating from ubuntu 12.10 LTS to 14.10 LTS and how to do it right?

Question

ubuntu

It's on an Ubuntu 12.10 LTS laptop. Now it seems like the update came out on 14.10. Therefore, a couple of paranoid questions arise for assessing the consequences of a possible disaster:
1) How to actually make the transition? In the Update manager, it suggests switching to 14.04. Not a word about 14.10. That is, will it then be proposed to switch to 14.10 after 14.04? Moreover, I did not understand what happened at 14.10 with the letters LTS?
2) It is clear that it is better to write the data to some other medium, but! Who has already made the transition, did anything disappear from the /home directory? What will happen to other programs like VirtualBox, Eclips, Aptana Studio, MySQL, Apache2, etc.? Anyone having problems?

Answer 1

1) LTS stands for long-term support, more stability, and older packages, especially for graphics performance. This version is released every two years, at least google it. After 14.04, the system will offer to upgrade to 14.10
2) Nothing should go anywhere from the /home directory, and I have never heard of it. Applications installed from standard repositories will either simply be updated to the versions available in the new version of Ubuntu, or they will be deleted and they will need to be reinstalled (the settings will remain and will be picked up during reinstallation). With Apache2, you will most likely have to tweak the config, there were some minor changes when switching from version 2.2 to 2.4 (I don’t remember which version you have, I generally changed the repositories on 15.04 :)), but it’s not scary.
And yes, ubuntu 12.10 LTS DOES NOT EXIST IN NATURE, there is just 12.10

Answer 2

-one. like 12.04 LTS
0. It works - do not touch (c) experience -)
1. In LTS (long-term support version), it is proposed to upgrade to another LTS by default, that is, without changing, you will not be offered to upgrade to 14.10.
2. Be sure to make a backup copy, and it's better to make a disk image (clonezilla)
3. For good, it's better to install 14.04 from scratch and transfer settings and documents. Once every 3-4 years, you can set aside time and reinstall OS