My SSH/rsync strategy is here:

http://bleb.org/software/770/#sync

It backs up:

• system & application configuration (/var/lib/gconf and some stuff in /etc/bluetooth)
• installed apps (/var/lib/install)
• home directory (excluding Opera cache, the sample MP3 & video files, some Macromedia cache stuff)

So it's more comprehesive than the built-in backup & restore.

Comments welcome.

Cheers,

Andrew