LDP/LDP/guide/docbook/LDP-Author-Guide/ag-maintain.xml

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<!DOCTYPE book PUBLIC '-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.2//EN'>
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<chapter id="sg-maintaining">
<title>Maintaining Your HOWTO</title>
<para>
Just because your document has now been published doesn't mean your
job is done. Linux documentation needs regular maintenance to make sure it
is up to date, and to improve it in response to readers' ideas
and suggestions. TLDP is a living, growing body of knowledge,
not just a publish-and-forget-it static entity.
</para>
<para>
Add relevant mailing lists to your document where people
can get support. If you have the time, follow these
mailing lists yourself to stay up-to-date on the
latest information.
</para>
<para>
Put your email address in the document, and politely request
feedback from your readers. Once you are officially published,
you will begin to receive notes with suggestions.
Some of these emails will be very valuable. Create a
folder in your mail program for
incoming suggestions--when the time is right review
the folder and make updates to your document. If you
are following a related mailing list you may also
choose to save a copy of important emails from the list to
this folder.
</para>
<note><title>We're not a free support service, but...</title><para>
Some people who email you will request personal
assistance. You should feel free to decline personal
assistance if you cannot spare the time. Writing a
contribution to the LDP does not commit you to a lifetime
of free support for anyone on the net; however, do try
to reply to all requests and suggest a mailing list that
will (hopefully) be able to provide support to your reader.
</para></note>
<section id="fixingerrors">
<title>Fixing Errors</title>
<para>
If you find an error in your own document, please fix it
and re-submit it. You can re-submit your files by emailing
them to <email>submit@en.tldp.org</email>. If you've been
using the CVS, you can simply <command>cvs commit</command> your revised document
and then send an email saying the new version is ready for
distribution. Remember to update the revision history at the
top of the document.
</para>
<para>
If you find an error in someone else's document please
contact the author of the document, or the LDP
coordinator at <email>discuss@en.tldp.org</email> (<ulink
url="http://tldp.org/mailinfo.html#maillists">subscription
required</ulink>) and
mention the problem and how you think it needs to be
fixed.
</para>
<note><title>Taking over unmaintained documentation</title><para>
For more information on how to deal with unmaintained
documents, please read:
<ulink
url="http://www.tldp.org/authors/unmaint.html">Unmaintained</ulink>
(includes a list of steps to take to take over
<quote>ownership</quote> of unmaintained documents, and a
list of unmaintained documents).
</para></note>
</section>
</chapter>