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9.4.2. Web Forums
Web forums are often an easier and more immediate alternative to mailing lists as you can receive help on various issues without subscribing to a high-traffic mailing list. They are easier to use, available in a Web browser and are an ideal way for you to meet other Ubuntu users and developers.
The following screenshot displays the home page of the Ubuntu forums Web site:
Figure 9.12. Web Forums
To access the Ubuntu forums, go to: http://ubuntuforums.org/ or http://www.ubuntu.com/commu-
nity/forums.
The Ubuntu forums are entirely maintained and moderated by volunteers and are available in many languages such as Chinese, Dutch, German, Finnish and French.
The following screenshot displays a view of the Ubuntu French forum:
Figure 9.13. Ubuntu French Forum
You need to register on the forum to be able to post messages and get support. To do this, click the Register
link displayed on the home page which will lead to the following page:
Figure 9.14. Ubuntu Forum Rules Page
Follow all the instructions on this and the following pages to sign on to the Ubuntu forum. You will then receive a confirmation that your registration is complete.
You can now sign in with your new user name and password and start using the Web forum for posting new messages and searching the existing ones. The postings on the Web forum are segregated into several categories based on their subject. To get an answer for a specific question, you may first look into the related category. Each category contains threads to all the postings already made under that category.
An alternate method to search the desired information is by using the Search option on the right of the home page. You can type your question in the Search Forums field and run a search. It is more than likely that you will find your desired information in these postings.
However, if you do not find the required information in the questions that have already been asked, you can create a new posting on the Web forum. You are likely to receive an answer very quickly, otherwise the Unanswered Posts Team will pick up your post within 24 hours.