Add forum information; improve organization

This commit is contained in:
Andrew David Wong 2020-08-20 11:56:57 -05:00
parent 4422063e3e
commit 9851709887
No known key found for this signature in database
GPG Key ID: 8CE137352A019A17
2 changed files with 163 additions and 101 deletions

2
doc.md
View File

@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ redirect_from:
* [Screenshots](/screenshots/) * [Screenshots](/screenshots/)
* [User FAQ](/faq/#users) * [User FAQ](/faq/#users)
* [Reporting Bugs and Other Issues](/doc/reporting-bugs/) * [Reporting Bugs and Other Issues](/doc/reporting-bugs/)
* [Help, Support, and Mailing Lists](/support/) * [Help, Support, Mailing Lists, and Forum](/support/)
* [How to Contribute](/doc/contributing/) * [How to Contribute](/doc/contributing/)
## Project Security ## Project Security

View File

@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
--- ---
layout: sidebar layout: sidebar
title: Help, Support, and Mailing Lists title: Help, Support, Mailing Lists, and Forum
permalink: /support/ permalink: /support/
redirect_from: redirect_from:
- /help/ - /help/
@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ redirect_from:
- /wiki/QubesLists/ - /wiki/QubesLists/
--- ---
# Help, Support, and Mailing Lists # # Help, Support, Mailing Lists, and Forum #
Help and support for Qubes OS is available from the [documentation] and the Help and support for Qubes OS is available from the [documentation], the
[mailing lists], which are explained below. The Qubes OS Project does not offer [mailing lists], and our [forum] which are explained below. The Qubes OS
paid support services. Project does not offer paid support services.
If you're looking for known issues or would like to file a bug report, please If you're looking for known issues or would like to file a bug report, please
see the [issue tracker]. These issues are constantly being updated and may see the [issue tracker]. These issues are constantly being updated and may
@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ contain workarounds for problems that you're experiencing, so it's worth
## Staying safe ## ## Staying safe ##
The Qubes mailing lists are open to the public. The contents of the list are 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 crawled by search engines and archived by third-party services outside of our
control. Please do not send anything to the mailing lists that you are not control. Please do not send or post anything that you are not comfortable seeing
comfortable seeing discussed in public. If confidentiality is a concern, please discussed in public. If confidentiality is a concern, please use PGP encryption
use PGP encryption in an off-list email. in an off-list email.
The Qubes community includes people from all walks of life and from around the 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 world. Individuals differ in areas of experience and technical expertise. You
@ -41,11 +41,12 @@ Everyone is free to write what they please, as long as it doesn't violate our
read. Use good judgment, and be especially careful when following instructions read. Use good judgment, and be especially careful when following instructions
(e.g., copying commands) given by others on the lists. (e.g., copying commands) given by others on the lists.
All official announcements from the [Qubes team] will be signed by the PGP key All official announcements from the [Qubes team] to a mailing list will be
belonging to the team member who sends the announcement. However, anyone on the signed by the PGP key belonging to the team member who sends the announcement.
list can choose to sign their messages, so the presence of a PGP signature does However, anyone on a mailing list can choose to sign their messages, so the
not indicate authority. How, then, should you sort the good advice from the bad? presence of a PGP signature does not indicate authority. How, then, should you
This is up to each individual to decide, but it helps to know that many members 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 of our community have proven themselves knowledgeable through their
[contributions] to the project. Typically, these individuals sign their messages [contributions] to the project. Typically, these individuals sign their messages
with the same key as (or another key authenticated by) the one they use to with the same key as (or another key authenticated by) the one they use to
@ -61,17 +62,16 @@ cryptographically signed, anyone would be in a position to [verify] that these
came from the same keyholder. came from the same keyholder.
## Discussion list guidelines ## ## Discussion guidelines ##
Qubes discussions mainly take place on two mailing lists: `qubes-users` and Qubes discussions mainly take place on `qubes-users`, `qubes-devel`, and our
`qubes-devel`, both of which are explained below. Please send all questions [forum], all of which are explained below. Most questions should be directed to
regarding Qubes to one of these two lists. **Please do not send questions to `qubes-users` or the [forum]. **Please do not send questions to individual
individual Qubes developers.** By sending a message to the appropriate mailing Qubes developers.** By sending a message to the appropriate mailing list, you
list, you are not only giving others a chance to help you, but you may also be are not only giving others a chance to help you, but you may also be helping
helping others by starting a public discussion about a shared problem or others by starting a public discussion about a shared problem or interest.
interest.
These are open mailing lists where people freely come together to discuss Qubes 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 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 *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 here is responsible for solving your problems for you. Nonetheless, there are
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ guidelines.
Remember, no one here is under any obligation Remember, no one here is under any obligation
to reply to you. Think about your readers. Most of them are coming home after 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 a long, hard day at work. The last thing they need is someone's temper
tantrum in their inboxes. If you are rude and disrespectful, you are very tantrum. If you are rude and disrespectful, you are very
likely to be ignored. likely to be ignored.
### Be concise ### ### Be concise ###
@ -116,35 +116,34 @@ to answer questions on the mailing lists once every several days.
### Be a good community member ### ### Be a good community member ###
As with any social community, members of the As with any social community, members earn different reputations for themselves
mailing list earn different reputations for themselves over time. We want the over time. We want these discussion venues to be friendly, productive places
mailing lists to be a friendly, productive place where information and ideas where information and ideas are exchanged for the mutual benefit of all. We
are exchanged for the mutual benefit of all. We understand that the best way understand that the best way to achieve this is to encourage and cultivate
to achieve this is to encourage and cultivate other like-minded individuals. other like-minded individuals. Those who have shown themselves to be good
Those who have shown themselves to be good community members through their community members through their past contributions have earned our good will,
past contributions have earned our good will, and we will be especially eager and we will be especially eager to help them and collaborate with them. If you
to help them and collaborate with them. If you are new to the community, you are new to the community, you should understand that it may take time for you
should understand that it will take time for you to earn the good will of to earn the good will of others. This does not mean that you will not receive
others. This does not mean that you will not receive help. On the contrary, help. On the contrary, we are fortunate to have such a helpful and
we are fortunate to have such a helpful and understanding community that many understanding community that many of them spend hours of their personal time
of them spend hours of their personal time helping complete strangers, helping complete strangers, including many who post anonymously. (Given the
including many who post to the lists anonymously. (Given the integration of integration of Qubes with [Whonix], we understand better than most the
Qubes with [Whonix], we understand better than most the complexities of complexities of privacy and anonymity, and we know that many users have no
privacy and anonymity, and we know that many users have no other choice but other choice but to post anonymously.) You can read our project's [Code of
to post anonymously.) You can read our project's [Code of Conduct][coc] for Conduct][coc] for more information.
more information.
### Report issues and submit changes in the right places ### ### Report issues and submit changes in the right places ###
The mailing lists a good place to ask questions and discuss bugs and feature The mailing lists are a good place to ask questions and discuss bugs and
requests. However, if you're submitting a more formal report, we'd prefer feature requests. However, if you're submitting a more formal report, we'd
that you submit it to our [issue tracker] so that it doesn't get overlooked. prefer that you submit it to our [issue tracker] so that it doesn't get
Likewise, if you see that something in the documentation should be changed, overlooked. Likewise, if you see that something in the documentation should be
don't simply point it out in an email to one of the mailing lists. Instead, changed, don't simply point it out in a discussion venue. Instead, [submit the
[submit the change][contributing to the documentation]. change][contributing to the documentation].
### Specific rules and notes ### ### Specific mailing list rules and notes ###
#### Use the correct list #### #### Use the correct list ####
@ -212,7 +211,7 @@ 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 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. something that we may not be able or willing to accept.
#### Mailing lists vs. forums #### #### Google Groups ####
While the mailing lists are implemented as Google Group web forums, a Google While the mailing lists are implemented as Google Group web forums, a Google
account is in no way required, expected, or encouraged. Many discussants account is in no way required, expected, or encouraged. Many discussants
@ -222,28 +221,30 @@ account is in no way required, expected, or encouraged. Many discussants
free infrastructure, and we [distrust the infrastructure]. This is why, for free infrastructure, and we [distrust the infrastructure]. This is why, for
example, we encourage discussants to use [Split GPG] to sign all of their example, we encourage discussants to use [Split GPG] to sign all of their
messages to the lists, but we do not endorse the use of these Google Groups messages to the lists, but we do not endorse the use of these Google Groups
as web forums. Some users prefer to interact with the mailing lists through as web forums. For that, we have a separate, dedicated [forum].
their optional web interfaces. This has the advantage that it allows you to
search and reply to messages which were sent prior to your subscription to
the list. However, a Google account is required in order to post through the
web interfaces. (Note: There have been many discussions about why the Qubes
OS Project does not maintain an official forum. The curious can find these
by searching the list archives.)
## qubes-announce ## ## Mailing lists ##
This is a read-only list for those who wish to receive only very important, infrequent messages. This section covers each of our individual mailing lists, with details about
Only the core Qubes team can post to this list. the purpose of each list and how to use it.
Only [Qubes Security Bulletins (QSBs)][qsb], 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* required. Any email address will work.)
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-announce+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`.
This list also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-announce-web].
## qubes-users ## ### 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)][qsb], 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*
required. Any email address will work.) To unsubscribe, send a blank email to
`qubes-announce+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list also has an optional
[Google Groups web interface][qubes-announce-web].
### qubes-users ###
This list is for helping users solve various daily problems with Qubes OS. This list is for helping users solve various daily problems with Qubes OS.
Examples of topics or questions suitable for this list include: Examples of topics or questions suitable for this list include:
@ -263,17 +264,19 @@ list:
* The [User FAQ] * The [User FAQ]
* The [documentation] (for questions about how to use Qubes OS) * The [documentation] (for questions about how to use Qubes OS)
You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. However, subscribing
However, subscribing makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive messages sent directly to the list. makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive
To subscribe to the list, send a blank email to `qubes-users+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. messages sent directly to the list. To subscribe to the list, send a blank
(Note: A Google account is *not* required. Any email address will work.) email to `qubes-users+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. (Note: A Google account is
To post a message to the list, address your email to `qubes-users@googlegroups.com`. *not* required. Any email address will work.) To post a message to the list,
If your post does not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. address your email to `qubes-users@googlegroups.com`. If your post does not
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-users+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To unsubscribe,
This list also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-users-web] and [traditional mail archive][qubes-users-archive]. send a blank email to `qubes-users+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list
also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-users-web] and
[traditional mail archive][qubes-users-archive].
## qubes-devel ## ### qubes-devel ###
This list is primarily intended for people who are interested in contributing to 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 Qubes or who are willing to learn more about its architecture and
@ -287,16 +290,17 @@ implementation. Examples of topics and questions suitable for this list include:
* Contributed code and patches. * Contributed code and patches.
* Security discussions which are relevant to Qubes in some way. * Security discussions which are relevant to Qubes in some way.
You must be subscribed in order to post to this list. You must be subscribed in order to post to this list. To subscribe, send a
To subscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-devel+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. blank email to `qubes-devel+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. (Note: A Google
(Note: A Google account is *not* required. Any email address will work.) account is *not* required. Any email address will work.) To post a message to
To post a message to the list, address your email to `qubes-devel@googlegroups.com`. the list, address your email to `qubes-devel@googlegroups.com`. If your post
If your post does not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. does not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-devel+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-devel+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`.
This list also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-devel-web] and [traditional mail archive][qubes-devel-archive]. This list also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-devel-web]
and [traditional mail archive][qubes-devel-archive].
## qubes-project ## ### qubes-project ###
This list is for non-technical discussion and coordination around the This list is for non-technical discussion and coordination around the
Qubes OS project. Qubes OS project.
@ -308,17 +312,18 @@ Examples of topics or question suitable for this list include:
* FOSS governance discussions * FOSS governance discussions
* Most Github issues tagged "[business]" * Most Github issues tagged "[business]"
You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. However, subscribing
However, subscribing makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive messages sent directly to the list. makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive
To subscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-project+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. messages sent directly to the list. To subscribe, send a blank email to
(Note: A Google account is *not* required. Any email address will work.) `qubes-project+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. (Note: A Google account is *not*
To post a message to the list, address your email to `qubes-project@googlegroups.com`. required. Any email address will work.) To post a message to the list, address
If your post does not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. your email to `qubes-project@googlegroups.com`. If your post does not appear
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-project+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To unsubscribe, send a
This list also also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-project-web]. blank email to `qubes-project+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list also
also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-project-web].
## qubes-translation ## ### qubes-translation ###
This list is for discussion around the localization and translation of Qubes OS, This list is for discussion around the localization and translation of Qubes OS,
its documentation, and the website. its documentation, and the website.
@ -329,14 +334,66 @@ Examples of topics or question suitable for this list include:
* Who is managing localization for a given language * Who is managing localization for a given language
* Most Github issues tagged "[localization]" * Most Github issues tagged "[localization]"
You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. You don't have to subscribe in order to post to this list. However, subscribing
However, subscribing makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive messages sent directly to the list. makes your messages less likely to be marked as spam and allows you to receive
To subscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-translation+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. messages sent directly to the list. To subscribe, send a blank email to
(Note: A Google account is *not* required. Any email address will work.) `qubes-translation+subscribe@googlegroups.com`. (Note: A Google account is
To post a message to the list, address your email to `qubes-translation@googlegroups.com`. *not* required. Any email address will work.) To post a message to the list,
If your post does not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. address your email to `qubes-translation@googlegroups.com`. If your post does
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to `qubes-translation+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. not appear immediately, please allow time for moderation to occur. To
This list also has an optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-translation-web]. unsubscribe, send a blank email to
`qubes-translation+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com`. This list also has an
optional [Google Groups web interface][qubes-translation-web].
## Forum ##
We have a community forum for Qubes OS users:
<https://qubes-os.discourse.group>
This is an official user forum 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] 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], we're pleased to be
able to create this space for our community.
### Why was this forum created? ###
Previously, the only option for a forum-like experience was to interact with
our mailing lists via Google Groups, but we understand all too well that the
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 for those who still prefer the traditional
mailing list format.
### How is this different from our mailing lists? ###
To be clear, this is *not* a replacement for the mailing lists. This forum is
simply an *additional* place for discussion. Certain types of discussions
naturally lend themselves more to mailing lists or to forums, and different
types of users prefer different venues. We've heard from some users who find
the mailing lists to be a bit intimidating or who may feel that their message
isn't important enough to merit creating a new email that lands in thousands of
inboxes. Others want more selective control over topic notifications. Some
users simply appreciate the ability to add a "reaction" to a message instead of
having to add an entirely new reply. Whatever your reasons, it's up to you to
decide where and how you want to join the conversation.
### Does this split the community? ###
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] and [Reddit] 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!)
## Unofficial chat channels ## ## Unofficial chat channels ##
@ -386,4 +443,9 @@ The following unofficial chat channels are maintained by the community:
[Transifex]: https://www.transifex.com/otf/qubes/ [Transifex]: https://www.transifex.com/otf/qubes/
[issue tracker]: /doc/reporting-bugs/ [issue tracker]: /doc/reporting-bugs/
[searching the issue tracker]: /doc/reporting-bugs/#search-tips [searching the issue tracker]: /doc/reporting-bugs/#search-tips
[forum]: #forum
[Discourse]: https://www.discourse.org/
[free hosting for open source projects]: https://blog.discourse.org/2018/11/free-hosting-for-open-source-v2/
[IRC]: #unofficial-chat-channels
[Reddit]: https://www.reddit.com/r/Qubes/