Bugs are problems that occur in software. If you come across a bug, you can help to fix it by reporting it to the people that produce the software.

You can use Launchpad to report a bug if:

• you found it whilst using a Linux distribution that manages bugs in Launchpad, such as one of the Ubuntu family
• or the software's website tells you that it uses Launchpad to manage bug reports.

Confirming the bug exists

Before you report a bug, it's important to confirm that it wasn't a one-off.

Think about what you were doing before the bug happened, then repeat the same steps. If the problem happens again, you should report the bug.

Bugs in the Ubuntu family

Note: To report a bug directly with the project that creates the

software, skip to the section Bugs in other software.

Step 1: Visit https://bugs.launchpad.net

Step 2: Click Report a bug in a package in the Bugs in

distribution packages section.

Step 3: On the Report a new bug page, use the drop-down box to select the Linux distribution where you found the bug.

Step 4: The software in your Linux distribution is held in packages. To identify where you found the bug, you need to specify the appropriate package. Click Choose to search for the right package.

Step 5: A pop-up window will open. Use the text-box to enter the name of the software you were using, then click Search. If you see a package name similar to the name of the software you were using, click it. Otherwise, close the pop-up window.

Step 6: Briefly describe the bug in the Summary text-box, then give further details in the larger text-box.

Quick-tip: You can learn how to make your bug report effective in the article [http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html How to report bugs effectively].

Step 7: When you've given as much relevant information as possible, click the Submit Bug Report button.