Update "Help, Support, Mailing Lists, and Forum"

- Revamp intro to make it (hopefully) more user-friendly
- Generalize last section into "Unofficial venues"
- Warn that we do not monitor or moderate unofficial venues
- Warn more explicitly about possible Qubes team impostors
- Miscellaneous updates and improvements
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Andrew David Wong 2021-06-21 02:55:53 -07:00
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@ -15,66 +15,134 @@ ref: 122
title: Help, Support, Mailing Lists, and Forum
---
Help and support for Qubes OS is available from the [documentation](/doc/), the
[mailing lists](#mailing-lists), and our [forum](#forum) which are explained below. The Qubes OS
Project does not offer paid support services.
The Qubes community is here to help! Since Qubes is a security-oriented
operating system, we want to make sure you [stay safe](#staying-safe) as you
get the support you need, and we want to make sure our community remains a
friendly place by ensuring we all follow the [Code of
Conduct](/code-of-conduct/).
Before asking for help, please check the [troubleshooting](/doc/#troubleshooting) section, the [FAQ](/faq/), and the rest of the [documentation](/doc/).
Your question may already be answered there.
## How to get help and support
If you're looking for known issues or would like to file a bug report, please
see the [issue tracker](/doc/issue-tracking/). These issues are constantly being updated and may
contain workarounds for problems that you're experiencing, so it's worth
[searching the issue tracker](/doc/issue-tracking/#search-tips) as a first step. However, please note that
[the issue tracker is not a discussion forum](/doc/issue-tracking/#the-issue-tracker-is-not-a-discussion-forum).
First, let's see what kind of help you need.
### I would like to report a security vulnerability
That sounds more like you helping us! Thanks! Please see [Reporting Security
Issues in Qubes OS](/security/#reporting-security-issues-in-qubes-os).
### I have a problem or a question
No worries! Here's how we recommend proceeding:
1. Check the [documentation](/doc/). There may already be a page about it.
Specifically, check out the [How-to Guides](/doc/#how-to-guides) and
[Troubleshooting](/doc/#troubleshooting) sections.
2. Search the [FAQ](/faq/). Your question might already be answered.
3. Try [searching the issue tracker](/doc/issue-tracking/#search-tips). There
may already be an open **or closed** issue about your problem. The issue
tracker is constantly being updated with known bugs and may contain
workarounds for problems you're experiencing. If there any pinned issues at
the top, make sure to check them first!
4. Try [searching the Qubes Forum](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/). There
may already be a matching topic.
5. Try [searching the `qubes-users`
archives](https://www.mail-archive.com/qubes-users@googlegroups.com/). There
may have already been a relevant thread.
### I didn't find a solution or an answer!
Sorry to hear that! In that case, we recommend asking for help on the [Qubes
Forum](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/) or on the [`qubes-users` mailing
list](#qubes-users). Choose the venue you prefer, but please don't ask on both
at the same time! Before you ask, please review our [discussion
guidelines](#discusion-guidelines) and StackOverflow's advice on [how to ask
good questions](https://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-ask). Don't forget to
[stay safe](#staying-safe)!
### I don't need support, but I think I found a bug
We'd be grateful if you reported it (but please make sure no one else has
already reported it first)! Please see [Issue Tracking](/doc/issue-tracking/)
for details.
### I don't need support, but I'd like to request a feature
No promises, but we'd be happy to consider it! Please see [Issue
Tracking](/doc/issue-tracking/) for details.
### I just want to discuss Qubes!
Great! Head on over to the [Qubes Forum](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/) or
on the [`qubes-users` mailing list](#qubes-users).
### How can I get involved and contribute?
Thank you for asking! Please see [How to Contribute](/doc/contributing/) for
all the ways you can do so.
## Staying safe
The Qubes mailing lists and forum are open to the public. The contents are
crawled by search engines and archived by third-party services outside of our
control. Please do not send or post anything that you are not comfortable seeing
discussed in public. If confidentiality is a concern, please use PGP encryption
in an off-list email.
control. Please do not send or post anything that you are not comfortable
seeing discussed in public. If confidentiality is a concern, please use PGP
encryption in an off-list email.
The Qubes community includes people from all walks of life and from around the
world. Individuals differ in areas of experience and technical expertise. You
will come into contact with others whose views and agendas differ from your own.
Everyone is free to write what they please, as long as it doesn't violate our
[Code of Conduct](/code-of-conduct/). Be friendly and open, but do not believe everything you
read. Use good judgment, and be especially careful when following instructions
(e.g., copying commands) given by others on the lists.
will come into contact with others whose views and agendas differ from your
own. Everyone is free to write what they please, as long as it doesn't violate
our [Code of Conduct](/code-of-conduct/). Be friendly and open, but do not
believe everything you read. Use good judgment, and be especially careful when
following instructions (e.g., copying commands) given by others on the lists.
All official announcements from the [Qubes team](/team/) to a mailing list will be
signed by the PGP key belonging to the team member who sends the announcement.
However, anyone on a mailing list can choose to sign their messages, so the
presence of a PGP signature does not indicate authority. How, then, should you
sort the good advice from the bad?
This is up to each individual to decide, but it helps to know that many members
of our community have proven themselves knowledgeable through their
[contributions](/doc/contributing/) to the project. Typically, these individuals sign their messages
with the same key as (or another key authenticated by) the one they use to
[sign their contributions](/doc/code-signing/).
It's always possible that a bad actor could try to impersonate any member of
the [Qubes team](/team/) anywhere on the Internet. Please don't assume that
someone who claims to be an official Qubes team member really is one without an
appropriate form of authentication, such as a [verified PGP-signed
message](/security/verifying-signatures/). (But bear in mind that anyone can
generate a key with any name on it and use it to PGP-sign a message, so the
mere presence of a PGP signature does not indicate authority. Successful
[verification](/security/verifying-signatures/) is what counts.) All official
[news](/news/) can be authenticated by [verifying the
signatures](/security/verifying-signatures/) on the relevant tags or commits in
the [qubes-posts](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-posts) repository.
Given that there may be impostors and others trying to lead you astray, how
should you sort the good advice from the bad? This is up to each individual to
decide, but it helps to know that many members of our community have proven
themselves knowledgeable through their [contributions](/doc/contributing/) to
the project. Often, these individuals sign their messages with the same key as
(or another key authenticated by) the one they use to [sign their
contributions](/doc/code-signing/).
For example, you might find it easier to trust advice from someone who has a
proven track record of [contributing software packages](/doc/package-contributions/) or [contributing to the
documentation](/doc/doc-guidelines/). It's unlikely that individuals who have worked hard to build
good reputations for themselves through their contributions over the years would
risk giving malicious advice in signed messages to public mailing lists. Since
every contribution to the Qubes OS Project is publicly visible and
cryptographically signed, anyone would be in a position to [verify](/security/verifying-signatures/) that these
came from the same keyholder.
proven track record of [contributing software
packages](/doc/package-contributions/) or [contributing to the
documentation](/doc/doc-guidelines/). It's unlikely that individuals who have
worked hard to build good reputations for themselves through their
contributions over the years would risk giving malicious advice in signed
messages to public mailing lists. Since every contribution to the Qubes OS
Project is publicly visible and cryptographically signed, anyone would be in a
position to [verify](/security/verifying-signatures/) that these came from the
same keyholder.
## Discussion guidelines
Qubes discussions mainly take place on `qubes-users`, `qubes-devel`, and our
[forum](#forum), all of which are explained below. Most questions should be directed to
`qubes-users` or the [forum](#forum). **Please do not send questions to individual
Qubes developers.** By sending a message to the appropriate mailing list, you
are not only giving others a chance to help you, but you may also be helping
others by starting a public discussion about a shared problem or interest.
[forum](#forum), all of which are explained below. Most questions should be
directed to `qubes-users` or the [forum](#forum). **Please do not send
questions to individual Qubes developers.** By sending a message to the
appropriate mailing list, you are not only giving others a chance to help you,
but you may also be helping others by starting a public discussion about a
shared problem or interest.
These are open venues where people freely come together to discuss Qubes
and voluntarily help each other out of mutual interest and good will. They are
These are open venues where people freely come together to discuss Qubes and
voluntarily help each other out of mutual interest and good will. They are
*not* your personal, paid support service. **No one owes you a reply.** No one
here is responsible for solving your problems for you. Nonetheless, there are
many things you can do to make it more likely that you will receive a reply.
@ -85,38 +153,38 @@ guidelines.
### Be polite and respectful
Remember, no one here is under any obligation
to reply to you. Think about your readers. Most of them are coming home after
a long, hard day at work. The last thing they need is someone's temper
tantrum. If you are rude and disrespectful, you are very
likely to be ignored.
Remember, no one here is under any obligation to reply to you. Think about your
readers. Most of them are coming home after a long, hard day at work. The last
thing they need is someone's temper tantrum. If you are rude and disrespectful,
you are very likely to be ignored.
### Be concise
Include only essential information. Most of your readers lead
busy lives and have precious little time. We *want* to spend some of that
time helping you, if we can. But if you ramble, it will be easier to skip
over you and help someone else who gets right to the point.
Include only essential information. Most of your readers lead busy lives and
have precious little time. We *want* to spend some of that time helping you, if
we can. But if you ramble, it will be easier to skip over you and help someone
else who gets right to the point.
### Help us help you
Tell us what you've already tried, and which
documentation pages you've already read. Put yourself in your readers' shoes.
What essential information would they require in order to be able to help
you? Make sure to include that information in your message. A great way to
provide your hardware details is by [generating and submitting a Hardware
Compatibility List (HCL) report](/doc/hcl/#generating-and-submitting-new-reports), then linking to it in your
message. [Ask questions the smart way.](http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html)
Tell us what you've already tried, and which documentation pages you've already
read. Put yourself in your readers' shoes. What essential information would
they require in order to be able to help you? Make sure to include that
information in your message. A great way to provide your hardware details is by
[generating and submitting a Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
report](/doc/hcl/#generating-and-submitting-new-reports), then linking to it in
your message. [Ask questions the smart
way.](http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html)
### Be patient
Do not "bump" a thread more than once every three days *at
most*. If it seems like your messages to the mailing lists are consistently
being ignored, make sure you're following the guidelines explained on this
page. If you're already doing so but still not getting any replies, then it's
likely that no one who knows the answer has had time to reply yet. Remember
that the devs are very busy working on Qubes. They usually only have a chance
to answer questions on the mailing lists once every several days.
Do not "bump" a thread more than once every three days *at most*. If it seems
like your messages to the mailing lists are consistently being ignored, make
sure you're following the guidelines explained on this page. If you're already
doing so but still not getting any replies, then it's likely that no one who
knows the answer has had time to reply yet. Remember that the devs are very
busy working on Qubes. They usually only have a chance to answer questions on
the mailing lists once every several days.
### Be a good community member
@ -132,17 +200,19 @@ to earn the good will of others. This does not mean that you will not receive
help. On the contrary, we are fortunate to have such a helpful and
understanding community that many of them spend hours of their personal time
helping complete strangers, including many who post anonymously. (Given the
integration of Qubes with [Whonix](/doc/whonix/), we understand better than most the
complexities of privacy and anonymity, and we know that many users have no
other choice but to post anonymously.) You can read our project's [Code of
Conduct](/code-of-conduct/) for more information.
integration of Qubes with [Whonix](/doc/whonix/), we understand better than
most the complexities of privacy and anonymity, and we know that many users
have no other choice but to post anonymously.) You can read our project's [Code
of Conduct](/code-of-conduct/) for more information.
### Report issues and submit changes in the right places
The mailing lists and [forum](#forum) are good places to ask questions and discuss
things. However, if you're submitting a more formal report, we'd prefer that
you submit it to our [issue tracker](/doc/issue-tracking/) so that it doesn't get overlooked.
(However, please remember that [the issue tracker is not a discussion forum](/doc/issue-tracking/#the-issue-tracker-is-not-a-discussion-forum).)
The mailing lists and [forum](#forum) are good places to ask questions and
discuss things. However, if you're submitting a more formal report, we'd prefer
that you submit it to our [issue tracker](/doc/issue-tracking/) so that it
doesn't get overlooked. (However, please remember that [the issue tracker is
not a discussion
forum](/doc/issue-tracking/#the-issue-tracker-is-not-a-discussion-forum).)
Likewise, if you see that something in the documentation should be changed,
don't simply point it out in a discussion venue. Instead, [submit the
change](/doc/doc-guidelines/).
@ -150,9 +220,11 @@ change](/doc/doc-guidelines/).
### Moderation
The moderation team aims to enforce our [Code of Conduct](/code-of-conduct/).
Beyond this, users should not expect any specific action from the moderation team.
Specifically, users should not request that posts or messages be deleted or edited by a moderator.
Users are reminded that, in most venues, anything posted will be sent out as an email to other others, and these emails cannot be deleted from others' inboxes.
Beyond this, users should not expect any specific action from the moderation
team. Specifically, users should not request that posts or messages be deleted
or edited by a moderator. Users are reminded that, in most venues, anything
posted will be sent out as an email to other others, and these emails cannot be
deleted from others' inboxes.
### Specific mailing list rules and notes
@ -163,11 +235,14 @@ which list is correct for your message.
#### Do not top-post
[Top-posting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Top-posting) is placing your reply above the quoted message to which you're
replying. Please refrain from doing this. Instead, either [interleave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Interleaved_style) your
reply by placing parts of your message immediately below each quoted portion
to which it is replying, or [bottom-post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Bottom-posting) by placing your entire reply below
the quoted message to which you're replying.
[Top-posting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Top-posting) is
placing your reply above the quoted message to which you're replying. Please
refrain from doing this. Instead, either
[interleave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Interleaved_style)
your reply by placing parts of your message immediately below each quoted
portion to which it is replying, or
[bottom-post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Bottom-posting) by
placing your entire reply below the quoted message to which you're replying.
#### Use proper subject lines
@ -178,73 +253,79 @@ in installer.")
#### Do not send duplicates
If your message is not successfully sent to the list, it probably got caught
in the spam filter. We check the spam filter regularly, so please be patient,
and your message should be approved (and your email address added to the
whitelist) within a few days.
If your message is not successfully sent to the list, it probably got caught in
the spam filter. We check the spam filter regularly, so please be patient, and
your message should be approved (and your email address added to the whitelist)
within a few days.
#### Keep the list CCed
Keep the mailing list CCed throughout the conversation unless there's a
special need for privacy (in which case, use PGP encryption). This increases
the likelihood that a greater quantity of useful information will be
available to everyone in the future.
Keep the mailing list CCed throughout the conversation unless there's a special
need for privacy (in which case, use PGP encryption). This increases the
likelihood that a greater quantity of useful information will be available to
everyone in the future.
#### Quote appropriately
If you're replying to a thread (whether your own or
someone else's), you should make sure to quote enough from previous messages
in the thread so that people reading your message can understand the context
without having to find and read earlier messages from that thread. Each reply
should continue the conversation and, ideally, be readable as a conversation
in itself. Do not quote advertisements in signatures or inline PGP signature
blocks. (Quoting the latter interferes with the ability of programs like
Enigmail to properly quote replies thereafter).
If you're replying to a thread (whether your own or someone else's), you should
make sure to quote enough from previous messages in the thread so that people
reading your message can understand the context without having to find and read
earlier messages from that thread. Each reply should continue the conversation
and, ideally, be readable as a conversation in itself. Do not quote
advertisements in signatures or inline PGP signature blocks. (Quoting the
latter interferes with the ability of programs like Enigmail to properly quote
replies thereafter).
#### English not required
If you do not speak English, you should feel free to post in your own
language. However, bear in mind that most members of the list can only read
English. You may wish to include an automated translation in your message out
of consideration for those readers. If you choose to write in English, please
do not apologize for doing so poorly, as it is unnecessary. We understand and
will ask for clarification if needed.
If you do not speak English, you should feel free to post in your own language.
However, bear in mind that most members of the list can only read English. You
may wish to include an automated translation in your message out of
consideration for those readers. If you choose to write in English, please do
not apologize for doing so poorly, as it is unnecessary. We understand and will
ask for clarification if needed.
#### Suggestions
While we're generally open to hearing suggestions for new features, please
note that we already have a pretty well defined [roadmap](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/milestones), and it's rather
unlikely that we will change our schedule in order to accommodate your
request. If there's a particular feature you'd like to see in Qubes, a much
more effective way to make it happen is to contribute a patch that implements
it. We happily accept such contributions, provided they meet our standards.
Please note, however, that it's always a good idea to field a discussion of
your idea on the `qubes-devel` list before putting in a lot of hard work on
something that we may not be able or willing to accept.
While we're generally open to hearing suggestions for new features, please note
that we already have a pretty well defined
[roadmap](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/milestones), and it's rather
unlikely that we will change our schedule in order to accommodate your request.
If there's a particular feature you'd like to see in Qubes, a much more
effective way to make it happen is to contribute a patch that implements it. We
happily accept such contributions, provided they meet our standards. Please
note, however, that it's always a good idea to field a discussion of your idea
on the `qubes-devel` list before putting in a lot of hard work on something
that we may not be able or willing to accept.
#### Google Groups
While the mailing lists are implemented as Google Group web forums, a Google
account is in no way required, expected, or encouraged. Many discussants
(including most members of the Qubes team) treat these lists as conventional
[mailing lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list), interacting with them solely through plain text email
with [MUAs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email_client) like [Thunderbird](https://www.thunderbird.net/) and [Mutt](http://www.mutt.org/). The Google Groups service is just
free infrastructure, and we [distrust the infrastructure](/faq/#what-does-it-mean-to-distrust-the-infrastructure). This is why, for
example, we encourage discussants to use [Split GPG](/doc/split-gpg/) to sign all of their
messages to the lists, but we do not endorse the use of these Google Groups
as web forums. For that, we have a separate, dedicated [forum](#forum).
[mailing lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list),
interacting with them solely through plain text email with
[MUAs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email_client) like
[Thunderbird](https://www.thunderbird.net/) and [Mutt](http://www.mutt.org/).
The Google Groups service is just free infrastructure, and we [distrust the
infrastructure](/faq/#what-does-it-mean-to-distrust-the-infrastructure). This
is why, for example, we encourage discussants to use [Split
GPG](/doc/split-gpg/) to sign all of their messages to the lists, but we do not
endorse the use of these Google Groups as web forums. For that, we have a
separate, dedicated [forum](#forum).
## Mailing lists
This section covers each of our individual [mailing lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list), with
details about the purpose of each list and how to use it.
This section covers each of our individual [mailing
lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list), with details
about the purpose of each list and how to use it.
### qubes-announce
This is a read-only list for those who wish to receive only very important,
infrequent messages. Only the core Qubes team can post to this list. Only
[Qubes Security Bulletins (QSBs)](/security/bulletins/), new stable releases, and end-of-life
notices are announced here.
[Qubes Security Bulletins (QSBs)](/security/bulletins/), new stable releases,
and end-of-life notices are announced here.
To subscribe, send a blank email to
`qubes-announce+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. (Note: A Google account is *not*
@ -267,7 +348,8 @@ lists before sending a question. In addition, please make sure that you have
read and understood the following basic documentation prior to posting to the
list:
* The [Installation Guide](/doc/installation-guide/), [System Requirements](/doc/system-requirements/), and [HCL](/doc/hcl/) (for problems
* The [Installation Guide](/doc/installation-guide/), [System
Requirements](/doc/system-requirements/), and [HCL](/doc/hcl/) (for problems
related to installing Qubes OS)
* The [User FAQ](/faq/#users)
* The [documentation](/doc/) (for questions about how to use Qubes OS)
@ -280,14 +362,16 @@ email to `qubes-users+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. (Note: A Google account is
address your email to `qubes-users@googlegroups.com`. If your post does not
appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To unsubscribe,
send a blank email to `qubes-users+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list
also has an optional [Google Groups web interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-users) and
[traditional mail archive](https://www.mail-archive.com/qubes-users@googlegroups.com/).
also has an optional [Google Groups web
interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-users) and [traditional mail
archive](https://www.mail-archive.com/qubes-users@googlegroups.com/).
### qubes-devel
This list is primarily intended for people who are interested in contributing to
Qubes or who are willing to learn more about its architecture and
implementation. Examples of topics and questions suitable for this list include:
This list is primarily intended for people who are interested in contributing
to Qubes or who are willing to learn more about its architecture and
implementation. Examples of topics and questions suitable for this list
include:
* Questions about why we made certain architecture or implementation decisions.
* For example: "Why did you implement XYZ this way and not the other way?"
@ -303,20 +387,24 @@ account is *not* required. Any email address will work.) To post a message to
the list, address your email to `qubes-devel@googlegroups.com`. If your post
does not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To
unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-devel+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`.
This list also has an optional [Google Groups web interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-devel)
and [traditional mail archive](https://www.mail-archive.com/qubes-devel@googlegroups.com/).
This list also has an optional [Google Groups web
interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-devel) and [traditional mail
archive](https://www.mail-archive.com/qubes-devel@googlegroups.com/).
### qubes-project
This list is for non-technical discussion and coordination around the
Qubes OS project.
This list is for non-technical discussion and coordination around the Qubes OS
project.
Examples of topics or question suitable for this list include:
* Participation (talks, workshops, etc.) at upcoming events
* Project funding applications and strategies
* FOSS governance discussions
* Most Github issues tagged "[business](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=is%3Aissue%20is%3Aopen%20label%3Abusiness)"
* Most Github issues tagged
[business](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3Abusiness)
or
[project management](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22project+management%22)
You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. However, subscribing
makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive
@ -326,18 +414,21 @@ required. Any email address will work.) To post a message to the list, address
your email to `qubes-project@googlegroups.com`. If your post does not appear
immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To unsubscribe, send a
blank email to `qubes-project+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list also
also has an optional [Google Groups web interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-project).
also has an optional [Google Groups web
interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-project).
### qubes-translation
This list is for discussion around the localization and translation of Qubes OS,
its documentation, and the website.
This list is for discussion around the localization and translation of Qubes
OS, its documentation, and the website.
Examples of topics or question suitable for this list include:
* Questions about or issues with [Transifex](https://www.transifex.com/), the translation platform we use
* Questions about or issues with [Transifex](https://www.transifex.com/), the
translation platform we use
* Who is managing localization for a given language
* Most Github issues tagged "[localization](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=is%3Aissue%20is%3Aopen%20label%3Alocalization)"
* Most Github issues tagged
[localization](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=is%3Aissue%20is%3Aopen%20label%3Alocalization)
You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. However, subscribing
makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive
@ -348,12 +439,17 @@ address your email to `qubes-translation@googlegroups.com`. If your post does
not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To
unsubscribe, send a blank email to
`qubes-translation+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list also has an
optional [Google Groups web interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-translation).
optional [Google Groups web
interface](https://groups.google.com/group/qubes-translation).
## Forum
The official [Qubes Forum](https://qubes-os.discourse.group) is a place where you can ask questions, get help, share tips and experiences, and more! For a long time, members of our community have sought a privacy-respecting forum experience with modern features that traditional mailing lists do not support. The open-source [Discourse](https://www.discourse.org/) platform fills this need for us, as it does for many other open-source projects. Thanks
to their generous [free hosting for open source projects](https://blog.discourse.org/2018/11/free-hosting-for-open-source-v2/), we're pleased to be able to create this space for our community.
The official [Qubes Forum](https://qubes-os.discourse.group) is a place where
you can ask questions, get help, share tips and experiences, and more! For a
long time, members of our community have sought a privacy-respecting forum
experience with modern features that traditional mailing lists do not support.
The open-source [Discourse](https://www.discourse.org/) platform fills this
need for us, as it does for many other open-source projects.
### Why was this forum created?
@ -363,7 +459,8 @@ privacy implications and user experience were unacceptable for many members of
our community, especially with the recent addition of a sign-in requirement to
view threads. Many of you value the lower barrier to entry, organization,
ease-of-use, and modern social features that today's forums support. Moreover,
Discourse [features email integration](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/t/using-the-forum-via-email/533/1)
Discourse [features email
integration](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/t/using-the-forum-via-email/533/1)
for those who still prefer the traditional mailing list format.
### How is this different from our mailing lists?
@ -383,33 +480,46 @@ decide where and how you want to join the conversation.
Many open-source projects (such as Fedora and Debian) have both mailing lists
and forums (and additional discussion venues). In fact, Qubes already had
non-mailing-list discussion venues such as [IRC](#unofficial-chat-channels) and [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Qubes/) before this forum
was introduced. We believe that this additional venue fosters the continued
growth of community participation and improves everyone's experience. In
addition, we fully expect that many community members -- especially the most
active ones -- will choose to participate in both venues. (Again, for those who
still prefer interacting via email, [Discourse supports that too](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/t/using-the-forum-via-email/533/1)!)
non-mailing-list discussion venues such as [IRC](#unofficial-chat-channels) and
[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Qubes/) before this forum was introduced. We
believe that this additional venue fosters the continued growth of community
participation and improves everyone's experience. In addition, we fully expect
that many community members -- especially the most active ones -- will choose
to participate in both venues. (Again, for those who still prefer interacting
via email, [Discourse supports that
too](https://qubes-os.discourse.group/t/using-the-forum-via-email/533/1)!)
## Social media
## Social media ##
The Qubes OS Project has a presence on several social media platforms, including:
The Qubes OS Project has a presence on several social media platforms,
including:
* [Twitter](https://twitter.com/QubesOS)
* [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Qubes/)
* [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/QubesOS/)
* [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/qubes-os/)
Generally speaking, these are not intended to be primary support venues.
(Those would be [qubes-users](#qubes-users) and the [forum](#forum).)
Rather, these are primarily intended to be a way to more widely disseminate items published on the [news](/news/) page.
If you use one of these platforms, you may find it convenient to follow the Qubes OS Project there as a way of receiving Qubes news.
Generally speaking, these are not intended to be primary support venues. (Those
would be [qubes-users](#qubes-users) and the [forum](#forum).) Rather, these
are primarily intended to be a way to more widely disseminate items published
on the [news](/news/) page. If you use one of these platforms, you may find it
convenient to follow the Qubes OS Project there as a way of receiving Qubes
news.
## Unofficial chat channels
## Unofficial venues
The following unofficial chat channels are maintained by the community:
If you find another venue on the Internet that is not listed here, it is
**unofficial**, which means that the Qubes team does **not** monitor or
moderate it. Please be especially careful in unofficial venues.
(Note: If a Qubes team member discovers the venue and decides to pop in, that
should not be taken as a commitment to monitor or moderate the venue. It still
remains unofficial. Also, please make sure someone claiming to be a Qubes team
member really is one. It could be an impostor!)
For example, here are some unofficial chat channels we know about that are
maintained by the community:
* Matrix, Qubes-related: <https://matrix.to/#/#cybersec-qubes_os:matrix.org>
* Matrix, strictly Qubes: <https://matrix.to/#/#Qubes-OS:matrix.org>
* `#qubes` channel on libera.chat via traditional IRC clients