Improving Manpage Content

For those looking to contribute to Ubuntu (and in general, to Linux)
documentation, I'm pleased to announce a new vector.

I have previously posted about the Ubuntu Manpage Repository:

• http://manpages.ubuntu.com/

Earlier this week, I rolled out a new feature, whereby each page has a tiny "bug" icon near the top. Such as:

• http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/jaunty/en/man7/ecryptfs.7.html

Clicking on the bug icon will bring you to a Launchpad page where you can report a bug against the package providing incorrect manpage content. Please file these bugs with:

• Importance: Wishlist
• Tags: manpage
  

For example:

• https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ecryptfs-utils/+bug/329491

Note also that you can download the source of any given manpage directly from the manpage-repository webpage. See the link to ecryptfs.7.gz:

• http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages.gz/jaunty/man7/ecryptfs.7.gz

For information about generating a patch, see:

• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuDevelopment/Patches

From the manpage source, you can correct the manpage documentation, generate a patch, and attach it to the Launchpad bug. If you do this, make sure you:

1. flag the attachment as a patch
2. mark the bug as 'In Progress'
3. assign the bug to yourself
4. subscribe the appropriate team for uploading
   
   • ubuntu-main-sponsors
   • ubuntu-universe-sponsors

And in the interest of being a good Open Source Citizen, please also forward your patch to the appropriate upstream project (and/or Debian)!

:-Dustin