Here is a list of useful places to go in Ubuntu.

IRC Destinations

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a network of chat rooms. IRC is the primary means for real-time communication in Ubuntu. Please see the full list of IRC channels if the channel you want isn't here.

Chat room: #ubuntu

#ubuntu is a chat room where you can ask about any problem using Ubuntu.

To join #ubuntu, follow these steps:

In this case, the name of the channel to join is #ubuntu

When you join the channel, ask your question immediately, in as much detail as possible. Don't ask whether you can ask your question - that's what the channel is for, and volunteers won't know whether they can answer a question until you've asked it.

When you have asked your question, you should wait at least two minutes for a reply. If your question isn't answered, then none of the volunteers know what the answer is. You might want to ask again in an hour or so, when new volunteers might be available.

Chat room: #ubuntu-motu

#ubuntu-motu is a chat room where you can talk to Ubuntu MOTU developers.

To join #ubuntu-motu, follow these steps:

In this case, the name of the channel to join is #ubuntu-motu

When you join the channel, wait a couple of minutes before speaking. If #ubuntu-motu is in the middle of a large discussion, you will see the conversation in progress. If you want to start a new conversation, you should wait until people are less distracted.

When you ask your question, do so in as much detail as possible. Don't ask whether you can ask your question - nobody can tell you whether they can answer a question until they've seen what the question is.

Chat room: #ubuntu-bugs

#ubuntu-bugs is a chat room where you can get help writing a good bug report.

To join #ubuntu-bugs, follow these steps:

In this case, the name of the channel to join is #ubuntu-bugs

Chat room: #ubuntu+1

#ubuntu+1 is a chat room where you can discuss the next (unreleased) version of Ubuntu.

To join #ubuntu+1, follow these steps:

In this case, the name of the channel to join is #ubuntu+1

Chat room: #ubuntu-signpost

#ubuntu-signpost is a chat room where you can get directions where to ask your Ubuntu questions.

To join #ubuntu-signpost, follow these steps:

In this case, the name of the channel to join is #ubuntu-signpost

When you join the channel, ask your question immediately, in as much detail as possible. Don't ask whether you can ask your question - that's what the channel is for, and volunteers won't know whether they can answer a question until you've asked it.

When you have asked your question, you should wait at least two minutes for a reply. If your question isn't answered, then none of the volunteers know what the answer is. You might want to ask again in an hour or so, when new volunteers might be available.

Mailing list destinations

Mailing lists are an important means of delayed communication in Ubuntu. Please see the full list of mailing lists if the list you want isn't here.

Mailing list: ubuntu-users

ubuntu-users is a mailing list for ordinary users to discuss Ubuntu issues.

To join ubuntu-users, sign up at the ubuntu-users info page.

There are also several other specialised community-support lists.

Mailing list: ubuntu-devel-discuss

ubuntu-devel-discuss is a mailing list for discussing Ubuntu development issues.

To join ubuntu-users, sign up at the ubuntu-devel-discuss info page.

There is also the main developer list.

Mailing list: ubuntu-motu

ubuntu-motu is a mailing list for maintaining the Ubuntu Universe repositories.

To join ubuntu-motu, sign up at the ubuntu-motu info page.

Mailing list: ubuntu-announce

ubuntu-announce is a mailing list where major announcements are made about the Ubuntu project.

To joun ubuntu-announce, sign up at the ubuntu-announce info page.

Forum destinations

The Ubuntu Forums are an important means of delayed communication in Ubuntu. Please see the main page if the forum you want isn't here.

To search the Ubuntu Forums archives, go to the search page

Ubuntu forum: Absolute beginner talk

Absolute beginner talk is a web forum for Ubuntu beginners to ask for help.

To search the Absolute beginner talk archives, go to the search page

If you can't find your question in the archives, go to the main forum page. Remember to check the sticky threads before posting.

Ubuntu forum: General help

General help is a web forum for Ubuntu users to ask for help.

To search the General help archives, go to the search page

If you can't find your question in the archives, go to the main forum page. Remember to check the sticky threads before posting.

Ubuntu forum: Development and Programming

Development and Programming is a collection of forums for programmers to talk about Ubuntu programming issues.

To search the Development and Programming archives, go to the search page

If you can't find your question in the archives, go to the main forum page.

Other website destinations

There are many Ubuntu websites where you can find help.

Website: Launchpad

Launchpad is the primary means for developing Ubuntu. Every Ubuntu project is represented this website. Launchpad includes several areas:

• Launchpad - the main section of the site

• Launchpad code - source code for Ubuntu programs

• Launchpad blueprints - specifications for new features suggested in Ubuntu programs

• Launchpad translations - utilities for translating Ubuntu programs into new languages

• Launchpad bugs - reporting bugs in Ubuntu programs

• Launchpad answers - questions and answers about Ubuntu programs

Website: Brainstorm

Ubuntu Brainstorm is the primary means for Ubuntu users to discuss and vote on new features they would like to see in Ubuntu.

To view, suggest, and vote on ideas, go to Brainstorm's main page.

Website: help.ubuntu.com

help.ubuntu.com is the primary means for documenting Ubuntu. The official section consists of manuals for different Ubuntu versions, while the community-maintained section is a publicly-editable wiki that handles issues that community members feel are important.

The community documentation has an advanced search page, as well the basic search box in the top-right corner of each page.

Website: Ubuntu Community Learning Project

The Ubuntu Community Learning Project is a community-driven attempt to help users learn Ubuntu. The project is quite young, and its main focus is currently on issues for new users. However, some resources for power users and new programmers are becoming available.

To see Ubuntu learning resources, go to the Learning Team page. This page will direct you to other learning resources.

Website: Ubuntu Documentation Team

The Ubuntu Documentation Team is the group of volunteers that look after Ubuntu's official documentation.

To join the documentation team, go to the Documentation Team page.

Website: Ubuntu BugSquad

The Ubuntu BugSquad is the group of volunteers that manage all the bugs in Ubuntu programs.

To join the BugSquad, go to the BugSquad Team page.

Website: The Fridge

The Fridge is the official information hub for the Ubuntu community. It discusses current events in the Ubuntu world.

Useful Documentation