Better way to back up app/data before ROM upgrade?

[Amamba]

I would be very careful with full system restore. Usually - at least in my experience - you get more than you've bargained for (registry mess, etc.) It does save time, but you may end up spending even more time cleaning up the problems that surface later.

I usually sync all PIM data to Google, back up Program Files, My Documents and Start Menu to card, use XDA_UC to restore programs after HR, but then it's a somewhat tedious process of re-syncing the data back from Google, restoring all registrations, and copying back the Start Menu.