"What topics can I ask about here?" in need of an update?

Question

Our What topics can I ask about here? help center page feels like it could use an update.

The first section, "Questions that you may ask", looks fairly good. Apparently at one point in time, it also included the final line:

There are no "dumb" questions

... but, well that's been removed in a previous update, apparently ... ;-)

A couple of possible suggestions, however.

The first line is:

• Using and administering official Ubuntu flavors: Ubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE, Kubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Studio and Xubuntu.

Perhaps we could go ahead and put in the qualifier that they must be currently supported releases. I know that's also covered in the next ("avoid") section, but some people may see this first line and stop reading.

Also, (as the resident "WSL guy" around here) I think it might be useful to call out Ubuntu on WSL as a supported release, since I know there's been a lot of confusion over this in the past. We get more Ubuntu on WSL questions than, say Budgie.

The next section, "Questions that you should avoid:" could use some attention. Here's the current wording:

Questions that you should avoid:

• Linux Mint, Elementary OS, Backtrack, Gnome-Remix (prior to 13.04), budgie-remix (16.04 and 16.10) and other Linux distributions (try our friends at Unix & Linux Stack Exchange).
• Bug reports (How do I submit a bug?).
• Issues with the next version of Ubuntu (Ubuntu+1) (More information about Alpha and Beta release issues).
• Shopping or Hardware Recommendations.
• Support for versions for Ubuntu releases past their "End of Standard Support" or "End of Life" dates (whichever is earlier) — unless the question is asking how to upgrade to a supported release.

Some suggestions/comments on improvements:

• First up - Backtrack? I had to look up what that was, since I've known it as Kali for quite a few years. Kali is such a common off-topic question that we definitely should name it specifically, IMHO, and using the name it's had for the last (nearly) 10 years ;-).

• As I understand it, "Gnome-Remix" really just became mainline, and "budgie-remix" is now Ubuntu Budgie. For both of these, the "currently supported" part should be sufficient, right? Is there still a need to call them out separately with release numbers?

• It seems to me that we get far more off-topic questions on "not currently supported" Ubuntu releases than "bug reports", "Ubuntu+1", or "Shopping/Hardware Recommendations", right?

  If that's truly the case, then let's move that higher in the list -- Probably the second bullet, but could be the first.

• Finally, there is often confusion over "Ubuntu-derived" and "Debian-derived" distributions, so it might make sense to make a statement around that directly.

• There are a few items in the tour that aren't present in the Help.

• A nitpick, but the word "that" in the section headers isn't really necessary.

• Also a nitpick -- Expanding some of the parenthetical links might make things more readable.

• And one final nitpick, but as long as we are considering updating, the "Hardware and Shopping Recommendations" might use an explanatory link.

So how does this get updated, assuming we agree that it is in need of one?

I assume:

• We upvote or downvote this question to agree or disagree that an update is needed?
• We make proposals in the form of answers (mine is below), vote, and discuss here?
• The mods then discuss and reach agreement based on the community discussion?
• The mods then flag the final wording in an answer (or some other method) with the status-review tag for Staff to take action on?

Answer 1

First pass at a proposed update:

Change the title and first bullet in ...

Questions you may ask:

• Using and administering currently supported, official Ubuntu flavors: Ubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE, Kubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Xubuntu, and Ubuntu on WSL.

This might help clarify for those that hit that first bullet, think, "Oh, I'm asking about Ubuntu, so it's okay" and post without reading the rest. You know they do ... ;-)

Also, if we include "Ubuntu on WSL", it needs its own link since it's listed on a separate ubuntu.com page.

---

And then update ...

Questions you should avoid:

• Questions regarding Linux distributions which are not covered above, even if they are "based on" Ubuntu or Debian. This includes, but is not limited to: Linux Mint, Elementary OS, Kali Linux, and Pop!_OS. For questions regarding non-Canonical, non-Ubuntu distributions, try our friends at the Unix & Linux Stack Exchange.

• Questions regarding Ubuntu releases past their "End of Standard Support" or "End of Life" dates (whichever is earlier), unless the question is asking how to upgrade to a supported release.

• Bug reports. See How do I submit a bug?

• Questions about not-yet-released versions of Ubuntu ("the next version", "Ubuntu+1"). See More information about Alpha and Beta release issues.

• Questions that are primarily opinion-based, such as shopping or hardware recommendations.

• Other topics that are not directly related to Ubuntu, its community, or officially supported derivatives.

---

Notes:

• This merges in some of the useful wording from the tour, along with addressing the other issues I mentioned in the original question.

• I think the emphasis on even if they are "based on" Ubuntu or Debian is warranted, but it's not necessary.

• Is this a reasonable link to add to the "Hardware and Shopping Recommendations" bullet?

Answer 2

Oops, @andrew.46 got to it before I could recommend one more change, so posting this as a separate answer. @cocomac pointed out that the wording on the intro paragraph is a bit odd, and I agree, but it needs more changes than just those originally proposed and done:

Recommend changing from (current):

Ask Ubuntu

It's a question and answer site for Ubuntu-related questions. It's also a place to share knowledge about Ubuntu.

Before posting any Questions/Answers please follow the Ubuntu Code of Conduct and this FAQ when participating in this community.

to

Ask Ubuntu (remove heading)

Ask Ubuntu is a question and answer site for Ubuntu-related questions. It's also a place to share knowledge about Ubuntu.

Before posting any Questions/Answers please follow the Ubuntu Code of Conduct and this FAQ when participating in this community.

Reasons:

• "Ask Ubuntu" as a heading is redundant since it's in the page title.

• "It's" is a bit weird when referring to a title. I recommend we follow the example of other Stack Exchange on-topic pages with the "[site name] is ..." form.

  Examples: Super User, Stack Overflow, and Unix & Linux

• Whether or not we need to leave the Ubuntu Code of Conduct in there is a separate question. I think it should come out for users, at least, since it is no longer part of the Terms of Service. But if it's in there, it does need the link, which is missing at the moment.