Press Release Format and example
This is a fprmat for a press release that I think is appropriate for debian.
I've looked through a lot of linux, corporate, and miscellaneous
announcements and come up with it. I've also included an example of a 2.0
release.
Please feel free to comment on the format and make suggestions.
Nils.
--
Nils Lohner E-Mail: lohner@icd.teradyne.com
Custom Design Engineer Phone: 617-422-2734
Teradyne, ICD Applications Fax: 617-422-2530
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Press Release Format and Example v0.1
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0. This Document
This document defines the intent, content, format, and distribution of
a press release and provides an example.
1. What is a press release?
A press release dissemenates important information about an organization
or its actions to the public. This can include, but is not limited to,
product releases, major policy changes, and security threats.
A press release contains information of interest to the general public
and the user base of the distribution. Information that is not of interest
to the general public (i.e. only of interest to the user base) should be
distributed differently!
The size of the press release must be kept to ~60 lines or less. If
further information needs to be distributed, it should be put on the web
page under the News section (or whichever section is relevant) and
referenced with a complete URL in the press release.
2. Who publishes the press release?
The press release is published by the <press person> after the
information contained therein has been approved by <responsible people>
(publicity committee?).
3. Who should the press release be sent to?
It should be sent to as many interested parties as possible. Since the
intent is to inform the general public, all relevant publications, major
organizations, and information distribution systems (usenet, mailing
lists, etc.) should be included on the distribution list.
4. What is contained in a press release?
- the title/header
(organization) The Debian GNU/Linux Distribution
(address) http://debian.org
(title) Debian 2.0 'hamm' released
(date) April 1, 1998
- what is debian? (short, ~3 sentences)
Debian GNU/Linux is a free distrubution of the Linux operating system.
It is maintained and updated through the work of many users who volunteer
their time and effort.
- what are we announcing?
- why is it important/what does it change?
- credits/acknowlegements
- contact information
For further information, please send email to info@debian.org or
visit the Debian homepage at http://debian.org.
5. What is not contained in a press release?
Since a press release is an attempt by an organization to distribute
information, no persons should be mentioned in it unless it it necessary.
For instance, contact information should be listed as info@debian.org
and not as FredJones@debian.org.
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EXAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
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The Debian GNU/Linux Distribution
http://debian.org
Debian 2.0 'hamm' released
April 1, 1998
>> What Is Debian?
Debian GNU/Linux is a free distrubution of the Linux operating system.
It is maintained and updated through the work of many users who volunteer
their time and effort.
>> News
On April 1, 1998 Debian GNU/Linux 2.0 'hamm' was released. This is a new
release of the Debian distribution which <list here whatever the BIG
changes are> adds sparc suppost, introduces a new package manager 'deity'
etc. It can be downloaded from the Debian Web page, or purchased from a
number of vendors. A list of vendors can be found at http://debian.org.
A complete list of changes can be found at http://debian.org/hamm/changes.
The following is a list of major changes from the previous distribution
version 1.3.1:
- blah
- this
- blah blah
- that
- blah blah blah
- and the other thing
>> Credits/Acknowlegements
Debian would like to thank its user base for their support. We are
especially grateful to all of the volunteers who have helped with
development and have made this release possible.
>> Contact Information
For further information, please send email to info@debian.org or
visit the Debian homepage at http://debian.org.
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