How do i back up my new install?

Oh ye linux gods of the Phoenix valley, how can i back-up my fresh
install of debian to my /home dir of my other linux install (it's big
enough) with tar or cpio or whatever.

I know this has probably been asked before but i can't seem to get a
straight answer from my other users list and there seems to be some
pretty sharp people here that won't confuse me. As usual...

TIA,

Bucky in Prescott Valley
--
Practical UNIX Terrorism
http://bofhcam.org/co-larters/unix-terrorism/index.html