FLOSS Manuals is a collection of manuals that explain how to install and use a range of free and open source software. The manuals are friendly and simple, and they are intended to encourage people to explore the wide range of free, open source alternatives to expensive and restrictively licensed software. At FLOSS Manuals you can find manuals for free and open source software like office applications, as well as web editing and browsing, and tools for playing, making, streaming and sharing audio and video.

FLOSS Manuals make free software more accessible by providing clear documentation that accurately explains their purpose and use. Each manual explains what the software does and what it doesn't do, what the interface looks like, how to install it, how to set the most basic configuration necessary, and how to use its main functions. To ensure the information remains useful and up to date the manuals are regularly developed to add more advanced uses, and to document changes and new versions of the software.

You can read and use the manuals in a number of different ways. They can be read online in separately indexed chapters, and you can use the website as a reference base in this way. You can also view, download, or print each manual as a PDF file. It is also possible to ‘remix’ manuals to create a version that only includes specific aspects of a particular manual, or that combines chapters from two or more manuals in a single document. These can be downloaded and printed, added to websites, and used for any purpose. You can also print a manual, or an individually ‘remixed’ manual, as a book via the print-to-order service of Lulu.com.

The manuals on FLOSS Manuals are written by a community of people, who do a variety of things to keep the manuals as up to date and accurate as possible. Anyone can contribute to a manual – to fix a spelling mistake, to add a more detailed explanation, to write a new chapter, or to start a whole new manual. The way in which FLOSS Manuals are written mirrors the way in which FLOSS (Free, libre open source) software itself is written: by a community who contribute to and maintain the content.

See below for more information on using, contributing to, and remixing FLOSS Manuals, and on Free, Libre Open Source Software and the aims of the FLOSS Manuals Foundation.

Read: using FLOSS Manuals manuals

In the ‘Read’ section of the website you will find links to all of the currently live and up to date manuals, organised according to what kind of software they document. When you click on the software name, for example ‘VLC’ under ‘Media players’, you will see the introductory chapter of that software’s manual. The first chapter of each manual explains what kind of software it is, and some of its features. The menu on the left hand side allows you to navigate to specific chapters – for example the installation chapter that relates to the operating system you use. At the top of that left hand menu are options to view the manual in a single page that can be easily printed, or to create a PDF of it.

Write: contributing to FLOSS Manuals

The 'write' section is where you can write new chapters or edit existing chapters. You can correct a spelling or grammatical mistake, or add an extra instruction that you think would be useful, update chapters to reflect new versions of the software, or add new chapters and whole manuals. It is easy to contribute to the manuals through the FLOSS Manuals’ wiki interface. This uses a WYSIWIG editor so that you don’t need to understand any wiki code in order to write, edit and update manuals.

The changes you make in the ‘write’ section do not go live until the changes are approved and the newly updated manual is ‘published’. It is only then that the changes are visible from the ‘Read’ section, so don’t feel intimidated about contributing here!

Each manual has a ‘maintainer’, someone who is responsible for keeping the information up to date, and for publishing appropriate edits and other contributions. If you would like to maintain one of the existing manuals then contact us.

If you wish to start a new manual on another software then contact us and we can create one.

All material is licensed under the GPL, which is contained on the FLOSS Manuals server here: http://www.flossmanuals.net/License

Remix: creating personalised combinations of FLOSS Manuals

All the information in FLOSS Manuals can be reused for whatever purpose you have in mind – for your own reference, to give away, to use as materials in workshops and classes, or anything else you wish. Because the manuals are licensed under the GPL you can copy and distribute the information in anyway you like.

To make this more useful we also provide some tools so that you can make your own manuals out of useful sections of other manuals. In the 'remix' section you can combine chapters from any of the manuals into a single pdf. The pdf will include a table of contents that is automatically generated to list the chapters you have included, and you can also add (and design) a cover.

FLOSS Manuals Book Store

FLOSS Manuals sells printed versions of some of our manuals. We make a small mark-up on each. At the time of writing this is 2 euro per manual. If you buy a book this money goes back into the development of the manuals. If you wish to buy the manual at cost price then you can download the print-ready PDF for free and us it to create your own manual on a print-on-demand service and buy the book from yourself at cost.

If you would like to support FLOSS Manuals then you can either buy some manuals and/or host a book store on your website. We have created a small viral-bookshop (widget) which can appear on your webpage if you cut and paste this html :

  <style>
    @import url("http://en.flossmanuals.net/bookstore/bookstore.css");
  </style>
  <img src="http://en.flossmanuals.net/bookstore/bookstore.gif"  style="margin-bottom:2px;">
  <script type="text/javascript" src="http://stores.lulu.com/feed.php?fStore=flossmanuals&fFormat=js"></script>

For more information please see our page about the Book Store :
http://en.flossmanuals.net/bookstore.

The FLOSS Manuals Foundation

The FLOSS Manuals Foundation (Stichting FLOSS Manuals) creates free, open source documentation for free, open source software. FLOSS Manuals is a community of free documentation writers that publish free manuals about free software across multiple languages.

Free software can be freely run, studied, redistributed and improved without the restrictive and often expensive licensing systems attached to commercial proprietary software. Developers can adapt free software to their own needs, and can contribute to its ongoing communal development. FLOSS Manuals specifically document software that is free in this development sense and also in price. Free software projects are developed using established methodologies and tools, and sites like Savannah and Sourceforge support established social production models for developing free software. FLOSS Manuals provides the methodologies, tools, and social production models for developing documentation of free software.

By supporting quality, user-friendly documentation of Free, Libre, Open Source Software, FLOSS Manuals aims to encourage the use of this software, to support the technical and social revolution it enables.

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Open Translation Tools

Open Translation Tools 09 is a conference organised by Aspiration Tech in collaboration with FLOSS Manuals and translate.org.za. Pictured below is Gunner from Aspiration and the OTT group.

gunner

The topic is literally the same as the conference title - an investigation of translation with regard to open source software, open processes, standards, open licenses etc.

It is being held in Amsterdam at FLOSS Manuals old Head Quarters, and we are in the last day with about 80 people from 25 countries in attendance.

At the end of the 3 days we will then start straight into a Book Sprint on the topic and one of the challenges is to work in new methods to make the conference -> Book Sprint integration streamlined. To do this we have tried a few things including making a table of contents on the wall using sticky notes.

ottoutline

Throughout the event we have invited people to add/subtract items in the index. We have also translated this index to the manual :

http://en.flossmanuals.net/bin/view/OpenTranslationTools

Also, at each session throughout the three days training on the FLOSS Manuals tool set took place and we invited people to learn how to contribute to the manual so that when they leave the conference they can add content.

adam

Tomorrow the sprint starts so more news then!

24 Jun 2009 - 19:13 by AdamHyde

CiviCRM Sprint Done

Phew...that was a long one...10 CiviCRM people, a chef, uncle bob, scout, one FLOSS Manuals chappy, and 5 days.

scout

The result...a 262 page book introducing the fundamentals about CiviCRM and how to evaluate your needs, and translate them into the framework of CiviCRM. The book is called 'Introducing CiviCRM, A Guide for Non-profits'.

You can check it out here :

http://en.flossmanuals.net/civicrm

and buy the book (still some formatting to be done) here :

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/civicrm/7098434

Uncle Bob also made a video and when I get the link I'll post here too...

We made a wonderful book. This was quite diferent from other sprints in terms of scope and content. I think we have done an excellent job....

Attending the sprint were (pictured below starting in the back row at left) Michael McAndrew (London, UK), Tony Guzman (Salt Lake City, USA), Brian Shaugnessy (New York, USA), Dave Greenberg (San Francisco, USA), Yashodha Chaku (Mumbai, India) and Adam Hyde (lots of places). In the front row Mari Tilos (San Francisco, USA), Cynthia Tarascio (Philidephia, USA), Michal Mach (Warsaw, Poland) and Peter Davis (Wellington, New Zealand). In the very front is Eileen McNaughton (Wellington, New Zealand).

team

Every Sprint is different and this was a hard working team that delivered their extensive experience with CiviCRM into the pages of the book. In my humble opinion, its an essential read for any non-profit organisation that wants to look at ways to become more efficient and effective. CiviCRM might not be right for you, but it might be just what you have been looking for and the book will help you make the most of it..

Thanks also to Andy Oram for being the remote ed, and Aco for the cool new features in the FM chat (and for fixing it in time for the sprint :) . Thanks to the CiviCRM people for being the cool and generous people they are, and to Dave, Bob, Scout, and Jill for looking after everyones wellbeing during the sprint.

10 May 2009 - 07:23 by AdamHyde

CiviCRM Sprint

The CiviCRM sprint is underway in the Sierra Mountains near Lake Tahoe. Gathered are 10 CiviCRM experts and Adam Hyde from FLOSS Manuals.

civi1

We also had some nice outings....the Sierra Mountains are beautiful.

outing

We are 3 days into it and making strong headway (215 pages written...now to refining it)...stay tuned!

06 May 2009 - 14:24 by AdamHyde

Doc'ing it up with Civi

So the CiviCRM Book Sprint is underway. We are in the mountains of California for a 5 day sprint to write a manual on how to use the wonderful CiviCRM software. Some of the core Civi team is here plus active consultants and implementors.

If you would like to contribute then follow these steps:

1. Register

2. Contribute!

Select the manual http://en.flossmanuals.net/bin/view/CiviCRM/WebHome and a chapter to work on.

If you need to ask us questions about how to contribute then join the chat room listed below and ask us! We look forward to your contribution!

For more information on using FLOSS Manuals you may also wish to read our manual:
http://en.flossmanuals.net/FLOSSManuals

3. Chat

It's a good idea to talk with us so we can help co-ordinate all contributions. We have a chat room embedded in the FLOSS Manuals website so you can use it in the browser.

If you know how to use IRC you can connect to the following:
server: irc.freenode.net
channel: #booksprint

4. Mailing List

For discussing all things about FLOSS Manuals join our mailing list:
http://lists.flossmanuals.net/listinfo.cgi/discuss-flossmanuals.net

04 May 2009 - 22:33 by AdamHyde

Binding FLOSS Manuals

Adam Thomas (Berlin) recently tried some book binding with FLOSS Manuals materials. The results look very nice. He used a basic Japanese stitch with a thick card cover, and a paper tape spine. The books look nice, read well, hold together well, are quite cheap to make, and can be done quickly (probably about 15 minutes to make once the process is refined).

adam

We will document the process so others can do it. We might also offer the books for sale, and use this as a way to raise finds to help cover FLOSS Manuals operating expenses.

red

insidecover

open

21 Apr 2009 - 18:50 by AdamHyde

FLOSS Manuals Videos

Two interviews done about FM during the Wintercamp in Amsterdam.

Adam Hyde
http://vimeo.com/4078924

Andy Oram
http://vimeo.com/3819143

16 Apr 2009 - 23:18 by AdamHyde

Pure Data Sprint is go!

The Pure Data Sprint is underway with locations in Berlin and New York. We have hooked up a video conference which is on the whole time so we can discuss issues between the two teams.

nyc

The link up is working well, with good conversations happening between the spaces.

viewfromnyc

Writing is marching on, with fantastic material being produced. By the end of Monday the first version of the book will be available.

06 Apr 2009 - 01:50 by AdamHyde

PureData Sprint

When : April 4,5,6
Where : Berlin, New York, online

FLOSS Manuals is proud to announce a three day book sprint for the Pure Data FLOSS Manual. This sprint will take place simultaneously in New York City and Berlin from Saturday 4 April to Monday 6 April.

The Pure Data FLOSS Manual (as yet unreleased):
http://en.flossmanuals.net/puredata

There are possibilities to participate in person by coming to one of the locations below, or remotely via the IRC interface built into the FLOSS Manuals editing interface. Video conferencing may take place between the venues as well.

1. Register

2. Contribute!

Select the manual (http://en.flossmanuals.net/bin/view/PureData) and a chapter to work on.

If you need to ask us questions about how to contribute then join the chat room listed below and ask us! We look forward to your contribution!

For more information on using FLOSS Manuals you may also wish to read our manual:
http://en.flossmanuals.net/FLOSSManuals

3. Chat

It's a good idea to talk with us so we can help co-ordinate all contributions. We have a chat room embedded in the FLOSS Manuals website so you can use it in the browser.

If you know how to use IRC you can connect to the following:
server: irc.freenode.net
channel: #booksprint

4. Mailing List

For discussing the PD manual, join the PD list:
http://lists.puredata.info/listinfo/pd-list

For discussing all things about FLOSS Manuals join our mailing list:
http://lists.flossmanuals.net/listinfo.cgi/discuss-flossmanuals.net

5. RealSpace Contributions (Sprint Locations)

If you are in New York or Berlin, please join us at these locations!

NEW YORK CITY
Contact: Hans-Christoph Steiner: hans@eds.org
Location: (bring ID, you'll need to sign in):
ITP/NYU Conference Room
721 Broadway, 4th Floor
NY, NY, USA
email Hans or call in case you can get past security
Schedule:
Saturday: noon-midnight
Sunday: 10am-midnight
Monday: 9am-5:30pm (if we go later, we'll be in a different room)

BERLIN
Contacts : Derek Holzer: derek@umatic.nl
Adam Hyde: adam@flossmanuals.net +49 15 2230 54563
Location : NK
ElsenStr. 52 (2.Hof)
Berlin, Germany
+49 176 20626386
http://www.myspace.com/enka52
Schedule:
Saturday: noon-late
Sunday: noon-late
Monday: noon-late

30 Mar 2009 - 22:23 by AdamHyde

Introduction to the Command Line Done

So, 0->book in 2 days, Yeah yeah you thought. Sure. Well, to prove a point we just finished another book in 2 days. Entirely original content, written online and onsite. The manual is an Introduction to the GNU/Linux Command Line. Its designed for the beginner and written by friendly experts.

The Sprint happened March 22-23 at the Libre Planet event at Harvard, Boston. The event was the Free Software Foundations AGM and they invited us there to work on a manual with their members. The FSF sent out a mail and we were inundated with new members. It was quite a torrent for a few days. Now its settled down but we have a great manual to show for it & we had heaps of fun!

http://en.flossmanuals.net/gnulinux

And you can buy it here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/6521146

This Sprint was slightly different to the last ones with most writing happening remotely. I had the wonderful experience of getting up in the morning and 3 chapters had been completed over night. Nice. Check out all the cool people that contributed :

Viktor Becher
Ben Woodacre
Dennis Kibbe
edoardo batini
Marcelo Magallon
Sameer Thahir
Ben Weissmann
Colin Williams
Johannes Becher
Leif Biberg Kristensen
William Merriam
Tim Goh
Gareth Anderson
Federico Lucifredi
Freaky Clown
Edward Cherlin
S. Lockwood-Childs
Steve Revilak
Pierre Fortin
Ntino Krampis
Barbaros Catkan
Darren Hall
Vance Kochenderfer
Xie Haichao
Scott Walck
Beth Skwarecki
Max Newell
Dev Devarajan
mike mcneely
Renato Golin

wohoooo!

It was also very nice to hang out and work in real space with the FSF crew.

sprint_1

The Sprint was organised by Andy Oram and Adam Hyde on the FM side, and Peter Brown, Daniel Clark and Deb Nicholson on the FSF side...thanks thanks to everyone. Special big thanks to Aco for making the fantastic new FM chat, and Lotte for the cover!

Thats 2 new books in 5 days. Not bad.

Remember, you can continue to improve the manual at any time...http://www.flossmanuals.net/write

23 Mar 2009 - 11:05 by AdamHyde

Firefox Sprint Done!

You didnt think it was possible? 0->book in 2 days...no? Well here it is : http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/firefox/6480979

You can also see the manual here http://en.flossmanuals.net/firefox

We need to do a few tweaks, but it was only two days, so I guess that can be expected. Here is a pick of most of the team that was onsite :

ffbsteam600

There were more people involved too, both onsite and online. We had 25 people online at one point. Next we move on to a demo Sprint at the Free Software Foundations AGM...March 21/22...more info about that coming up...

19 Mar 2009 - 22:29 by AdamHyde

FLOSS Manuals Book Store

The FLOSS Manuals Foundation

Board of Advisors

Supported by

Mailing Lists + RSS

Open Translation Tools

CiviCRM Sprint Done

CiviCRM Sprint

Doc'ing it up with Civi

1. Register

2. Contribute!

3. Chat

4. Mailing List

Binding FLOSS Manuals

FLOSS Manuals Videos

Pure Data Sprint is go!

PureData Sprint

1. Register

2. Contribute!

3. Chat

4. Mailing List

5. RealSpace Contributions (Sprint Locations)

Introduction to the Command Line Done

Firefox Sprint Done!