<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- $Id: getting-help.xml 17299 2012-10-10 23:47:33Z joewiz $ --><book><bookinfo><productname>eXist-db – Open Source Native XML Database</productname><title>Getting Help</title><date>September 2012</date></bookinfo><chapter><title>Getting Help</title><section id="community-support"><title>Community Support</title><para>Besides eXist-db's extensive <ulink url="/exist/apps/doc">documentation</ulink>,
                eXist-db has a large and active community of users and developers. The community
                uses mailing lists, IRC chat, a wiki, and social media—to get and give help, follow
                the latest developments, and share tips and discoveries.</para><para>The <ulink url="https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/exist-open">exist-open</ulink> mailing list is the primary forum for asking questions and
                getting help. Finding the answer to a question can sometimes be as simple as <ulink url="http://exist-open.markmail.org/search/?q=">searching the mailing list's
                    archives</ulink>. Whether you have a question that you can't find the answer to,
                or you just want to join the discussion, <ulink url="https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/exist-open">subscribe to the
                    mailing list</ulink>—it's free and you can unsubscribe anytime.</para><para>Besides exist-open, there is a mailing list dedicated solely to the XQuery
                language: the <ulink url="http://x-query.com/mailman/listinfo/talk">xquery-talk
                    mailing list</ulink>. It's a great place to ask questions about XQuery, from
                basic to advanced.</para><para>Also, there are numerous excellent resources for learning XQuery, including the
                    <ulink url="http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/XQuery">XQuery wikibook</ulink> and
                Priscilla Walmsley's <ulink url="http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596006341.do">XQuery</ulink> book (O'Reilly 2007).</para><para>The project has an IRC channel, #existdb, which is open for general discussions on
                eXist-db and related subjects. Join the discussions via a web-based <ulink url="http://webchat.freenode.net/?randomnick=1&amp;channels=existdb&amp;prompt=1">chat client</ulink> or use your favourite <ulink url="irc://irc.freenode.net/existdb">IRC</ulink> client. Transcripts of <ulink url="http://demo.exist-db.org/exist/irclog/irclog.xql">today's
                    discussions</ulink> and an archive of past discussions are available.</para><para>Follow <ulink url="https://twitter.com/#!/existdb">@existdb</ulink> on Twitter for
                news and announcements about eXist-db, and use the <ulink url="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23existdb">#existdb</ulink> hash tag (note
                no dash in #existdb). Find links about eXist-db on Del.icio.us using the <ulink url="http://www.delicious.com/tag/existdb">existdb</ulink> tag. Meet the
                eXist-db professionals on <ulink url="http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&amp;gid=35624">LinkedIn</ulink>. Subscribe to the <ulink url="http://atomic.exist-db.org/blogs/eXist/">eXist Developer Blog</ulink>,
                powered by the eXist-based AtomicWiki project.</para></section><section id="professional-support"><title>Professional Support</title><para>eXist-db began as and continues to thrive as an open source community, built on
                the contributions of volunteers. Recognizing the need for professional solutions for
                eXist-db, members of our development team and community have come together
                commercially under the umbrella of <ulink url="http://www.existsolutions.com">eXist
                    Solutions</ulink>. They are available for&#160;<ulink url="http://www.existsolutions.com/consultancy.xml">Consultancy</ulink>, <ulink url="http://www.existsolutions.com/training.xml">Training</ulink> or <ulink url="http://www.existsolutions.com/consultancy.xml">Bespoke Development</ulink>
                on a flexible basis, as such if you need some extra support or development resource,
                please <ulink url="http://www.existsolutions.com/contact.xml">contact us</ulink> at
                    <ulink url="mailto:info@existsolutions.com">info@existsolutions.com</ulink>.
                eXist Solutions can also provide annual <ulink url="http://www.existsolutions.com/support.xml">Production and Development
                    Support</ulink> plans with contractual support.</para></section></chapter></book>