How do I apply CSS3 transition to all properties except background-position?

Try this...

* {
    transition: all .2s linear;
    -webkit-transition: all .2s linear;
    -moz-transition: all .2s linear;
    -o-transition: all .2s linear;
}
a {
    -webkit-transition: background-position 1ms linear;
    -moz-transition: background-position 1ms linear;
    -o-transition: background-position 1ms linear;
    transition: background-position 1ms linear;
}

Here's a solution that also works on Firefox:

transition: all 0.3s ease, background-position 1ms;

I made a small demo: http://jsfiddle.net/aWzwh/

Hope not to be late. It is accomplished using only one line!

-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out, width 0, height 0, top 0, left 0;
-moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out, width 0, height 0, top 0, left 0;
-o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out, width 0, height 0, top 0, left 0;
transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out, width 0, height 0, top 0, left 0; 

That works on Chrome. You have to separate the CSS properties with a comma.

Here is a working example: http://jsfiddle.net/H2jet/

You can try using the standard W3C way:

.transition { transition: all 0.2s, top 0s, left 0s, width 0s, height 0s; }

http://jsfiddle.net/H2jet/60/