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From: Richard Huxton <dev@archonet.com>
Subject: META: Guide to the PostgreSQL mailing lists
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 14:09:53 +0000
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To: pgsql-docs@postgresql.org
Message-Id: <200211111409.53266.dev@archonet.com>

I suggested a "guide to the lists" email the other day on pgsql-general.=20
Here's my first draft - is this going to be of any use?

- Richard Huxton

---Begin message---
This message is a guide to using the PostgreSQL mailing lists, available vi=
a=20
email and newsgroups. It describes the lists, how to subscribe and=20
unsubscribe and how best to post a message.

The Lists
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
There are over a dozen different lists, and choosing the right one will hel=
p=20
to get a quick response. The "novices","sql" and "general" lists are a good=
=20
place to start. A full list is available at:

http://www.postgresql.org/users-lounge/index.html


Subscribing / Unsubscribing
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
If you are familiar with the majordomo mailing list manager, all the standa=
rd=20
commands work over email. The easiest method though might be to use the=20
web-form at:

http://developer.postgresql.org/mailsub.php

You can use this form to subscribe and unsubscribe, and also choose whether=
 to=20
receive mail as a digest (a whole day's messages merged together). You can=
=20
also choose not to receive any mail (see the Newsgroups section below for w=
hy=20
you'd want to do that).

If you want to change your settings after subscribing you can do so at the =
URL=20
below. You'll need to know your email address and the password you were=20
provided with when you subscribed (you *did* keep that didn't you?). Just=
=20
click on the "Sign In" link then "Unsubscribe or Change Settings".

http://webmail.postgresql.org/cgi-bin/mj_wwwusr


Newsgroups
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
If you would rather use a newsgroup feed for PostgreSQL rather than email, =
it=20
still makes sense to subscribe. Use the form above but select "No" for=20
"Receive mail?". This means you won't be sent any mail, but can still use=
=20
your email address to send messages. If you don't subscribe your messages=
=20
will have to be inspected by a (very overworked) volunteer, in which case=
=20
please be patient.


Before you Post
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Firstly, please make sure you have checked the documentation - the manuals,=
=20
the FAQ and techdocs can help with 99% of the problems you might encounter.=
=20
Secondly, check the mailing list archives and see if someone else has had t=
he=20
same problem.  All these resources are linked to from:

http://www.postgresql.org/users-lounge/index.html

Finally, if English is not your first language, there are some translated=
=20
documents linked to from that page (please feel free to volunteer if your=
=20
language is not there). The mailing-lists tend to use English, but are a=20
worldwide effort, so don't worry if you aren't fluent.


Posting a question
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
First, choose a meaningful subject: "DB problems" is too vague, "Unable to=
=20
connect from Access" is much better and will attract the attention of peopl=
e=20
who can help.

Second, include all the relevant information people will need to help you. =
If=20
you are having problems installing, provide the operating system (e.g. RedH=
at=20
7.3) and method (installing from source) along with the version of PostgreS=
QL=20
(7.2) and where the problem occurred (I ran ./configure and it gave the=20
following output).

If you are having problems with a query provide an example including the ta=
ble=20
definitions and SQL you are trying to run. If you want to improve performan=
ce=20
also provide the number of rows in each table and the output of EXPLAIN for=
=20
your query.


Finally
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
If your message doesn't get an answer, wait a couple of days and re-post. M=
ake=20
sure you provided all the information required and mention that it's your=
=20
second attempt. Don't be offended - sometimes with all the traffic on the=
=20
lists a message can be overlooked.

If you've found the lists useful, please try and help out someone else. Thi=
s=20
is a community effort and there's always someone out there who knows less=
=20
than you. Also, a "thank you" is always welcome - the people answering=20
questions are volunteers just like you.

If you find any errors in this message or think it needs changes, please=20
subscribe to pgsql-docs@postgresql.org and send your suggestions.

Version: 0.2
Changed: 2002-11-11