Re: release updates and the general audience

[Martin Schulze <joey@infodrom.org>]

Andreas Barth wrote:
> the target group for our release updates are our developers.
> 
> However, we have seen in the past more than once journalists picking up
> the release update and writing articles about them. Not only once there
> have been slightly suboptimal stories, e.g. with overemphasizing some
> issues (which might happen because we basically present a patch, whereas
> journalists like to have a "that's the new status" as well, especially
> if they're not too deep into the topic - something I could understand).
> 
> Now, I was phoning was someone from Heise about this. He told me that
> they might be able to produce better articles if they have more time,
> and they would have more time if we forward such articles to Heise
> directly. He also suggested to add phone numbers or so for questions, so
> that misunderstandings could be fixed before anyone in the public even
> sees them.
> 
> Basically, this is something I would like to do. My question is just:
> How do we do that best? Should the release team also post a small story
> to debian-news at the same time (and suggest all journalists to
> subscribe to debian-news also)? Or anything else? And, how do we make
> sure we're available for questions in short time? Which address should
> we consider journalists for contacts so that they can e.g. be given out
> a mobile phone number to call to?

Naturally, journalists should be subscribed to debian-announce and
debian-news.

If the release update is something significantly new and dedicated
to the public instead of our own developers (and maybe testing users,
prospective developers, interested users etc.) it may be discussable
to send the update to debian-news instead.  I guess, however, that this
would have to be decided on a per-issue basis.

Re phone numbers: the press releases mostly contain a phrase who
to mail for more details.  Usually this works and people get directed
to people more knowledgable on that particular issue.

Regards,

	Joey

-- 
Testing? What's that? If it compiles, it is good, if it boots up, it is perfect.