bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

Currently, in the displayed HTML of the Emacs Manual, there is nothing 
the specifically says it is released under the GFDL (GNU Free 
Documentation License), and what the Invariant Sections and Cover-Texts 
are.  It's in an HTML comment, but there isn't even a note in the 
rendered text to tell you to look there.  This makes it more likely 
that people will mis-use the text, by presuming it's under the GFDL 
without any Invariant Sections, and in other ways.

I heard that this had been discussed earlier, but I was unable to find 
it in the archives of gnu.emacs.bug, so I'm bringing it up again.

Jesse Weinstein

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Glenn Morris]

Jesse W wrote:

> Currently, in the displayed HTML of the Emacs Manual, there is nothing 
> the specifically says it is released under the GFDL (GNU Free 
> Documentation License), and what the Invariant Sections and Cover-Texts 
> are.  It's in an HTML comment, but there isn't even a note in the 
> rendered text to tell you to look there. 

The Emacs manual uses the standard texinfo @copying command to specify
this information; so I'd say that this was a texinfo issue rather than
an Emacs issue. Perhaps you can check on the texinfo list (?) if this
has been discussed?

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

On Jan 25, 2009, at 11:38 PM, Glenn Morris wrote:
> Jesse W wrote:
>> Currently, in the displayed HTML of the Emacs Manual, there is nothing
>> the specifically says it is released under the GFDL (GNU Free
>> Documentation License), and what the Invariant Sections and  
>> Cover-Texts
>> are.  It's in an HTML comment, but there isn't even a note in the
>> rendered text to tell you to look there.
>
> The Emacs manual uses the standard texinfo @copying command to specify
> this information; so I'd say that this was a texinfo issue rather than
> an Emacs issue. Perhaps you can check on the texinfo list (?) if this
> has been discussed?
There is a specific texinfo @ command, @insertcopying, which is  
designed to make the @copying information visible.  See  
http://www.gnu.org/software/texinfo/manual/texinfo/html_node/ 
insertcopying.html#insertcopying

There does not seem to have been discussion about it on the texinfo-bug  
list.

I'm suggesting that the Emacs Manual be modified either to
1) Include the @insertcopying command at the beginning of the document,  
so the license grant is visible in all the formats, or
2) Insert a note that tells people to look in the HTML/texinfo source  
code for the license grant.

This is not a texinfo problem.

Jesse Weinstein

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Glenn Morris]

Jesse W wrote:

> There is a specific texinfo @ command, @insertcopying, which is  
> designed to make the @copying information visible.  See  
> http://www.gnu.org/software/texinfo/manual/texinfo/html_node/ 
> insertcopying.html#insertcopying

This command is already used in the Emacs manual, in what I believe is
the way texinfo recommends. It only affects the printed titlepage.

See:

http://www.gnu.org/software/hello/manual/texinfo/GNU-Sample-Texts.html#GNU-Sample-Texts

http://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/emacs/doc/emacs/emacs.texi?root=emacs&view=markup

The latter looks consistent with the former AFAICS.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

On Jan 26, 2009, at 10:41 AM, Glenn Morris wrote:
> Jesse W wrote:
>
>> There is a specific texinfo @ command, @insertcopying, which is
>> designed to make the @copying information visible.  See
>> http://www.gnu.org/software/texinfo/manual/texinfo/html_node/
>> insertcopying.html#insertcopying
>
> This command is already used in the Emacs manual, in what I believe is
> the way texinfo recommends. It only affects the printed titlepage.
I'm glad to see that the license grant appears on the printed format; 
however, that doesn't resolve the problem that it's impossible for 
someone reading the plain-text version, or reading the HTML without 
looking at the source, to tell what the license grant is (specifically, 
the inclusion of Invariant Sections).

It is quite feasible to include either the full license grant, or a 
note referring to where it is, by using @ifhtml and @ifplain 
directives.  It may *also* be good to modify the Sample Texts to 
include this, but, the Emacs Manual can be fixed in any case.

Jesse Weinstein

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Eli Zaretskii]

> Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:41:44 -0500
> Cc: 1988@emacsbugs.donarmstrong.com
> 
> Jesse W wrote:
> 
> > There is a specific texinfo @ command, @insertcopying, which is  
> > designed to make the @copying information visible.  See  
> > http://www.gnu.org/software/texinfo/manual/texinfo/html_node/ 
> > insertcopying.html#insertcopying
> 
> This command is already used in the Emacs manual, in what I believe is
> the way texinfo recommends. It only affects the printed titlepage.

It only affects the titlepage because it appears within the @titlepage
block.  To make it appear in the HTML output, not as HTML comment
which is not displayed by the browser, you need @insertcopying in the
body of the manual, inside @ifnottex..@end ifnottex.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Richard M Stallman]

I suggest talking with the Texinfo maintainer, karl@gnu.org, about this.
If the Texinfo manual doesn't give clear and specific advice which settles
your question, then I think some should be added there.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Eli Zaretskii]

> From: Richard M Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
> CC: rgm@gnu.org, jessw@netwood.net
> cc: karl@gnu.org
> Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:59:13 -0500
> 
> I suggest talking with the Texinfo maintainer, karl@gnu.org, about this.
> If the Texinfo manual doesn't give clear and specific advice which settles
> your question, then I think some should be added there.

The Texinfo manual _does_ give clear and specific advice about this:

      We also strongly recommend using `@insertcopying' in the Top node of
    your manual (*note The Top Node::), although it is not required
    legally.  Here's why:

      The `@copying' command itself causes the permissions text to appear
    in an Info file _before_ the first node.  The text is also copied into
    the beginning of each split Info output file, as is legally necessary.
    This location implies a human reading the manual using Info does _not_
    see this text (except when using the advanced Info command `g *').
    Therefore, an explicit `@insertcopying' in the Top node makes it
    apparent to readers that the manual is free.

      Similarly, the `@copying' text is automatically included at the
    beginning of each HTML output file, as an HTML comment.  Again, this
    text is not visible (unless the reader views the HTML source).  And
    therefore again, the `@insertcopying' in the Top node is valuable
    because it makes the copying permissions visible and thus promotes
    freedom.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Karl Berry]

    eliz> The Texinfo manual _does_ give clear and specific advice about this:

Yeah.  Here is the message I sent to rms, Stefan, and Chong a few days
ago when rms first pinged me about this.

    jessw@netwood.net> Currently, in the displayed HTML of the Emacs
    jessw@netwood.net> Manual, there is nothing the specifically says it
    jessw@netwood.net> is released under the GFDL
    
    rms [to karl]> Can you fix this and ack?

I can imagine either:

1) adding @insertcopying to the Top node, which is simple but adds ~20
   lines of text (the full copying notice), or

2) adding just a sentence saying to look at the source for the precise
   conditions, something like this:

     This manual is released under the GNU Free Documentation License.
     For the full copying conditions, please view the full source for
     this formatted file (e.g., @code{g*} in Info, View Source in HTML).

Do any of you have a preference for which way to go?

Also, related to this, right now the copying notice does not show up in
the plain text output at all, since there is separate "source" for the
formatted version.  Therefore I think the Top node should include the
following in any case:

@ifplaintext
@insertcopying
@end ifplaintext


Whatever way we go, I guess all the manuals need to follow suit.
Which makes me somewhat want to just use @insertcopying since it is
the simplest thing to do.

karl

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

On Jan 28, 2009, at 3:38 PM, Karl Berry wrote:
> I can imagine either:
>
> 1) adding @insertcopying to the Top node, which is simple but adds ~20
>    lines of text (the full copying notice), or
>
> 2) adding just a sentence saying to look at the source for the precise
>    conditions, something like this:
>
>      This manual is released under the GNU Free Documentation License.
>      For the full copying conditions, please view the full source for
>      this formatted file (e.g., @code{g*} in Info, View Source in 
> HTML).
>
> Do any of you have a preference for which way to go?
Simply adding @insertcopying seems best to me, but any of the 
alternatives are fine.  If it would help, I'd be happy to make patches 
for the various manuals.

Jesse Weinstein

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Karl Berry]

Jesse,

    Simply adding @insertcopying seems best to me, but any of the 
    alternatives are fine.  If it would help, I'd be happy to make patches 
    for the various manuals.

Since evidently no one else has a strong opinion, I suggest we go with
the plain @insertcopying.  It would be great if you could prepare the
patches.  Thanks.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 352 bytes --]

On Feb 1, 2009, at 6:37 AM, Karl Berry wrote:
> Since evidently no one else has a strong opinion, I suggest we go with
> the plain @insertcopying.  It would be great if you could prepare the
> patches.  Thanks.
Well, here is a simple patch for emacs.texi.  I hope I did it right, 
please let me know if there's any better way I should do this.

Jesse


[-- Attachment #2: emacs_insertcopying.patch --]
[-- Type: application/octet-stream, Size: 483 bytes --]

Index: emacs.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/emacs/emacs.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.37
diff -u -r1.37 emacs.texi
--- emacs.texi	1 Feb 2009 22:04:25 -0000	1.37
+++ emacs.texi	5 Feb 2009 09:26:50 -0000
@@ -1071,6 +1071,10 @@
 @xref{Mac OS}, for information about using Emacs on Macintosh.
 @end iftex
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 @node Distrib, Intro, Top, Top
 @unnumbered Distribution
 

[-- Attachment #3: Type: text/plain, Size: 1 bytes --]

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Karl Berry]

    Well, here is a simple patch for emacs.texi.  I hope I did it right, 
    please let me know if there's any better way I should do this.

I'm not sure if anyone will see it after the lengthy menu in the Top
node, but if you're happy with it (as the original bug reporter), it's
fine with me.

Can you go through and make the same change to all the other manuals and
send me the diff?

Thanks.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 518 bytes --]

On Feb 5, 2009, at 4:05 PM, Karl Berry wrote:
>     Well, here is a simple patch for emacs.texi.  I hope I did it 
> right,
>     please let me know if there's any better way I should do this.
>
> I'm not sure if anyone will see it after the lengthy menu in the Top
> node, but if you're happy with it (as the original bug reporter), it's
> fine with me.
On review, I think you're right.  I was being overly cautious.  Here's 
a patch that puts it right in the opening screenfull, where it 
certainly won't be missed.

[-- Attachment #2: emacs_insertcopying.patch --]
[-- Type: application/octet-stream, Size: 742 bytes --]

Index: emacs.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/emacs/emacs.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.37
diff -u -r1.37 emacs.texi
--- emacs.texi	1 Feb 2009 22:04:25 -0000	1.37
+++ emacs.texi	6 Feb 2009 18:43:03 -0000
@@ -99,9 +99,10 @@
 @top The Emacs Editor
 
 Emacs is the extensible, customizable, self-documenting real-time
-display editor.  This Info file describes how to edit with Emacs and
-some of how to customize it; it corresponds to GNU Emacs version
-@value{EMACSVER}.
+display editor. This Info file describes how to edit with Emacs and
+some of how to customize it.
+
+@insertcopying
 
 @ifinfo
 To learn more about the Info documentation system, type @kbd{h}, and

[-- Attachment #3: Type: text/plain, Size: 322 bytes --]



> Can you go through and make the same change to all the other manuals 
> and
> send me the diff?
Certainly.  By "the other manuals" I assume you mean those listed on: 
http://www.gnu.org/manual/manual.html -- or is there some other, more 
accessible list?

In any case, just to start, here's a patch for EMMS's manual.

[-- Attachment #4: emms_insertcopying.patch --]
[-- Type: application/octet-stream, Size: 360 bytes --]

--- emms.texinfo.orig	Fri Feb  6 10:58:14 2009
+++ emms.texinfo	Fri Feb  6 10:59:59 2009
@@ -45,7 +45,10 @@
 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
 @top Emms Manual
 
-This is the Manual for the Emacs Multimedia System
+This is the Manual for the Emacs Multimedia System.
+
+@insertcopying
+
 @menu
 Starting out
 * Introduction::        Introduction to Emms.

[-- Attachment #5: Type: text/plain, Size: 236 bytes --]



BTW, (I know this should likely be mentioned elsewhere, but...) GNUMP3d 
should probably be noted as being "mothballed" per it's developer's 
comment here: http://www.gnu.org/software/gnump3d/index.html

Glad to help,

Jesse Weinstein

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Karl Berry]

    On review, I think you're right.  I was being overly cautious.  Here's 
    a patch that puts it right in the opening screenfull, where it 
    certainly won't be missed.

Ok.

    Certainly.  By "the other manuals" I assume you mean those listed on: 
    http://www.gnu.org/manual/manual.html -- 

No.  Sorry for not specifying.  I just mean the manuals in the Emacs
distribution, namely those here:
http://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/emacs/doc/?root=emacs

(There are many individual manuals in the misc/ subdir.)

Dealing with manuals in other distributions has to be done separately,
through their respective maintainers/bug lists.  If you want to take
that on, that would be great.

    BTW, (I know this should likely be mentioned elsewhere, but...) GNUMP3d 
    should probably be noted as being "mothballed" per it's developer's 
    comment here: http://www.gnu.org/software/gnump3d/index.html

Hmm, thanks for mentioning it.  I guess I'll be writing to its maintainer.

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Jesse W]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1644 bytes --]

Whew, that was a lot of files...

On Feb 6, 2009, at 3:02 PM, Karl Berry wrote:
> No.  Sorry for not specifying.  I just mean the manuals in the Emacs
> distribution, namely those here:
> http://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/emacs/doc/?root=emacs
>
> (There are many individual manuals in the misc/ subdir.)
Oh, /those/ manuals... ;-)  OK, here they are.

calc.texi had the copyright date line repeated on the title page, so I 
removed the redundant one.

dbus.texi already included @insertcopying, as far back as its initial 
revision about a year ago.

erc.texi is the same.

faq.texi isn't under the GFDL, rather it's under a vague copyleft 
statement, with copyright dates going back to 1990.

gnus-faq.texi claims to be generated from an XML file, which I can't 
find (the given URL breaks, the gnus.org site does not appear to have 
the purported XML file visible anywhere..), so I'm leaving that one 
aside for now.

gnus-news.texi is also not under GFDL, and has it's copyright statement 
in a comment, so we'll leave that one alone, too.

gnus.texi already has @insertcopying.

mh-e.texi is dual-licensed under the GFDL 1.3+ and the GPL 3+, and 
already has @insertcopying.

org.texi already has @insertcopying.

remember.texi does too.

smtpmail.texi also.

tramp.texi has @insertcopying at the bottom of the Top node.

trampver.texi isn't exactly a manual, and has it's license statement in 
a comment; ignoring.

Quite a few of them repeated a descriptive line in @copying and in the 
top of the Top node; I removed the repeats where I saw them.

And that's it...  all the others are included in the big-pile-o-patch 
attached below.

[-- Attachment #2: emacs_misc_manuals_insertcopying.patch --]
[-- Type: application/octet-stream, Size: 18689 bytes --]

Index: ada-mode.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/ada-mode.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.9
diff -u -r1.9 ada-mode.texi
--- ada-mode.texi	5 Feb 2009 23:38:36 -0000	1.9
+++ ada-mode.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:18:46 -0000
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@
 
 @node Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 @menu
 * Overview::
 * Installation::                Installing Ada mode on your system
Index: autotype.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/autotype.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 autotype.texi
--- autotype.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:05 -0000	1.7
+++ autotype.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:18:51 -0000
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@
 * Variable Index::
 @end menu
 
-
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
 
 @node Using Skeletons
 @chapter Using Skeletons
Index: calc.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/calc.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.31
diff -u -r1.31 calc.texi
--- calc.texi	27 Jan 2009 01:54:38 -0000	1.31
+++ calc.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:23:06 -0000
@@ -127,8 +127,6 @@
 @page
 
 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
-Copyright @copyright{} 1990, 1991, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
-   2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
 @insertcopying
 @end titlepage
 
@@ -144,6 +142,8 @@
 @node Top, Getting Started, (dir), (dir)
 @chapter The GNU Emacs Calculator
 
+@insertcopying
+
 @noindent
 @dfn{Calc} is an advanced desk calculator and mathematical tool
 written by Dave Gillespie that runs as part of the GNU Emacs environment.
Index: cc-mode.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/cc-mode.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.12
diff -u -r1.12 cc-mode.texi
--- cc-mode.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:06 -0000	1.12
+++ cc-mode.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:23:49 -0000
@@ -225,6 +225,10 @@
 functions, classes etc - there are other packages for that.
 @end ifinfo
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 @comment !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 @comment !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Index: cl.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/cl.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.12
diff -u -r1.12 cl.texi
--- cl.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:07 -0000	1.12
+++ cl.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:24:28 -0000
@@ -47,6 +47,10 @@
 @node Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
 @chapter Introduction
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 @noindent
 This document describes a set of Emacs Lisp facilities borrowed from
 Common Lisp.  All the facilities are described here in detail.  While
Index: dired-x.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/dired-x.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.10
diff -u -r1.10 dired-x.texi
--- dired-x.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:07 -0000	1.10
+++ dired-x.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:24:35 -0000
@@ -84,6 +84,8 @@
 @item
 For @file{dired-x.el} revision 2
 
+@insertcopying
+
 @c @item
 @c Revision of this manual: 2.53 (2001/02/25 14:05:46)
 
Index: ebrowse.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/ebrowse.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 ebrowse.texi
--- ebrowse.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:07 -0000	1.7
+++ ebrowse.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:24:41 -0000
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@
 @node Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
 
 @ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+
 You can browse C++ class hierarchies from within Emacs by using
 Ebrowse.
 @end ifnottex
Index: ediff.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/ediff.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.9
diff -u -r1.9 ediff.texi
--- ediff.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:08 -0000	1.9
+++ ediff.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:25:04 -0000
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@
 
 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
 
+@insertcopying
 
 @menu
 * Introduction::                About Ediff.
Index: emacs-mime.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/emacs-mime.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.9
diff -u -r1.9 emacs-mime.texi
--- emacs-mime.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:08 -0000	1.9
+++ emacs-mime.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:25:14 -0000
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@
 @node Top
 @top Emacs MIME
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 This manual documents the libraries used to compose and display
 @acronym{MIME} messages.
 
Index: epa.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/epa.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.10
diff -u -r1.10 epa.texi
--- epa.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:08 -0000	1.10
+++ epa.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:25:16 -0000
@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@
 @node Top
 @top EasyPG Assistant user's manual
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 EasyPG Assistant is an Emacs user interface to GNU Privacy Guard
 (GnuPG, @pxref{Top, , Top, gnupg, Using the GNU Privacy Guard}).
 
Index: eshell.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/eshell.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 eshell.texi
--- eshell.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:08 -0000	1.7
+++ eshell.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:25:24 -0000
@@ -64,7 +64,9 @@
 @node Top, What is Eshell?, (dir), (dir)
 @top Eshell
 
-This manual documents Eshell, a shell-like command interpretor
+@insertcopying
+
+Eshell is a shell-like command interpretor
 implemented in Emacs Lisp.  It invokes no external processes except for
 those requested by the user.  It is intended to be a functional
 replacement for command shells such as @command{bash}, @command{zsh},
Index: eudc.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/eudc.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 eudc.texi
--- eudc.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:08 -0000	1.7
+++ eudc.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:25:28 -0000
@@ -51,12 +51,7 @@
 @node     Top, Overview, (dir), (dir)
 @comment  node-name,  next,         previous, up
 
-
-This manual documents EUDC v1.30b, the Emacs Unified Directory Client.
-
-A common interface to directory servers using various protocols such as
-LDAP or the CCSO white pages directory system (PH/QI)
-
+@insertcopying
 @end ifnottex
 
 @menu
Index: faq.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/faq.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 faq.texi
--- faq.texi	1 Feb 2009 22:04:26 -0000	1.8
+++ faq.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:26:06 -0000
@@ -64,6 +64,10 @@
 or have any suggestions, please use @kbd{M-x report-emacs-bug} to report
 them.
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex 
+
 @menu
 * FAQ notation::
 * General questions::
Index: flymake.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/flymake.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.9
diff -u -r1.9 flymake.texi
--- flymake.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:09 -0000	1.9
+++ flymake.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:26:08 -0000
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@
 @ifnottex
 @node Top
 @top GNU Flymake
+@insertcopying 
 @end ifnottex
 
 @menu
Index: forms.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/forms.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 forms.texi
--- forms.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:09 -0000	1.7
+++ forms.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:26:14 -0000
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@
 @node Top
 @top Forms Mode
 
+@insertcopying 
+
 Forms mode is an Emacs major mode for working with simple textual data
 bases in a forms-oriented manner.  In Forms mode, the information in
 these files is presented in an Emacs window in a user-defined format,
Index: gnus-coding.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/gnus-coding.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 gnus-coding.texi
--- gnus-coding.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:09 -0000	1.7
+++ gnus-coding.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:26:16 -0000
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@
 @node Top
 @top Gnus Coding Style and Maintainance Guide
 This manual describes @dots{}
+
+@insertcopying 
+
 @menu
 * Gnus Coding Style:: Gnus Coding Style
 * Gnus Maintainance Guide:: Gnus Maintainance Guide
Index: idlwave.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/idlwave.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 idlwave.texi
--- idlwave.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:11 -0000	1.7
+++ idlwave.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:26:48 -0000
@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@
 
 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
 
+@insertcopying 
+
 IDLWAVE is a package which supports editing source code written in the
 Interactive Data Language (IDL), and running IDL as an inferior shell.
 
Index: info.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/info.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.10
diff -u -r1.10 info.texi
--- info.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:11 -0000	1.10
+++ info.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:26:59 -0000
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@
 @node Top
 @top Info: An Introduction
 
+@insertcopying 
+
 The GNU Project distributes most of its on-line manuals in the
 @dfn{Info format}, which you read using an @dfn{Info reader}.  You are
 probably using an Info reader to read this now.
Index: mairix-el.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/mairix-el.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.4
diff -u -r1.4 mairix-el.texi
--- mairix-el.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:11 -0000	1.4
+++ mairix-el.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:02 -0000
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@
 @file{.emacs} for future use and lets you call mairix for updating the
 database.
 
+@insertcopying
+
 @menu
 * About mairix and mairix.el::  About the mairix search engine and mairix.el
 * Configuring mairix::          How to configure mairix
Index: message.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/message.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.12
diff -u -r1.12 message.texi
--- message.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:11 -0000	1.12
+++ message.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:15 -0000
@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@
 @node Top
 @top Message
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
+
 All message composition from Gnus (both mail and news) takes place in
 Message mode buffers.
 
Index: newsticker.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/newsticker.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 newsticker.texi
--- newsticker.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:11 -0000	1.8
+++ newsticker.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:17 -0000
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@
 @ifnottex
 @node Top
 @top Newsticker
+
+@insertcopying 
+
 @end ifnottex
 
 @menu
Index: nxml-mode.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/nxml-mode.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 nxml-mode.texi
--- nxml-mode.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:12 -0000	1.8
+++ nxml-mode.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:22 -0000
@@ -39,8 +39,9 @@
 @node Top
 @top nXML Mode
 
-This manual documents nxml-mode, an Emacs major mode for editing
-XML with RELAX NG support.  This manual is not yet complete.
+@insertcopying
+
+This manual is not yet complete.
 
 @menu
 * Completion::                  
Index: pcl-cvs.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/pcl-cvs.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 pcl-cvs.texi
--- pcl-cvs.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:12 -0000	1.8
+++ pcl-cvs.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:31 -0000
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@
 customize-group RET pcl-cvs @key{RET}} and to look at the documentation strings
 of the various commands and major modes for further information.
 @c This manual is updated to release 2.5 of PCL-CVS.
+
+@insertcopying 
+
 @end ifnottex
 
 @menu
Index: pgg.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/pgg.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 pgg.texi
--- pgg.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:12 -0000	1.7
+++ pgg.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:34 -0000
@@ -46,7 +46,10 @@
 
 @node Top
 @top PGG
-This manual describes PGG.  PGG is an interface library between Emacs
+
+@insertcopying 
+
+PGG is an interface library between Emacs
 and various tools for secure communication.  PGG also provides a simple
 user interface to encrypt, decrypt, sign, and verify MIME messages.
 
Index: rcirc.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/rcirc.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.15
diff -u -r1.15 rcirc.texi
--- rcirc.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:12 -0000	1.15
+++ rcirc.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:27:39 -0000
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@
 @ifnottex
 @node Top, Basics, (dir), (dir)
 @top rcirc Manual
+
+@insertcopying
+
 @end ifnottex
 
 @code{rcirc} is an Emacs IRC client.
Index: reftex.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/reftex.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 reftex.texi
--- reftex.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:13 -0000	1.7
+++ reftex.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:28:17 -0000
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@
 @ifnottex
 @node Top,,,(dir)
 
+@insertcopying 
+
 @b{Ref@TeX{}} is a package for managing Labels, References,
 Citations and index entries with GNU Emacs.
 
Index: sasl.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/sasl.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 sasl.texi
--- sasl.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:13 -0000	1.7
+++ sasl.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:28:18 -0000
@@ -54,9 +54,10 @@
 
 @node Top
 @top Emacs SASL
-This manual describes the Emacs SASL library.
 
-A common interface to share several authentication mechanisms between
+@insertcopying 
+
+SASL is a common interface to share several authentication mechanisms between
 applications using different protocols.
 
 @menu
Index: sc.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/sc.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 sc.texi
--- sc.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:13 -0000	1.8
+++ sc.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:28:36 -0000
@@ -53,8 +53,9 @@
 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
 @comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
 
-This document describes Supercite, an Emacs package for citing and
-attributing replies to mail and news messages.  The manual is divided
+@insertcopying 
+
+The manual is divided
 into the following chapters.
 
 @menu
Index: ses.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/ses.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.9
diff -u -r1.9 ses.texi
--- ses.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:13 -0000	1.9
+++ ses.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:28:42 -0000
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@
 @comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
 @top SES: Simple Emacs Spreadsheet
 
+@insertcopying
+
 @display
 SES is a major mode for GNU Emacs to edit spreadsheet files, which
 contain a rectangular grid of cells.  The cells' values are specified
Index: sieve.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/sieve.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 sieve.texi
--- sieve.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:13 -0000	1.8
+++ sieve.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:28:43 -0000
@@ -48,9 +48,11 @@
 @node Top
 @top Sieve Support for Emacs
 
-This manual documents the Emacs Sieve package.
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
 
-It is intended as a users manual for Sieve Mode and Manage Sieve, and
+This is intended as a users manual for Sieve Mode and Manage Sieve, and
 as a reference manual for the @samp{sieve-manage} protocol Emacs Lisp
 API.
 
Index: speedbar.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/speedbar.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.6
diff -u -r1.6 speedbar.texi
--- speedbar.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:14 -0000	1.6
+++ speedbar.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:28:52 -0000
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
 @node Top, , , (dir)Top
 @comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
 
+@insertcopying 
+
 Speedbar is a program for Emacs which can be used to summarize
 information related to the current buffer.  Its original inspiration
 is the `explorer' often used in modern development environments, office
Index: url.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/url.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 url.texi
--- url.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:14 -0000	1.8
+++ url.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:29:00 -0000
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@
 @node Top
 @top URL
 
+@ifnottex
+@insertcopying
+@end ifnottex
 
 @menu
 * Getting Started::             Preparing your program to use URLs.
Index: vip.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/vip.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.7
diff -u -r1.7 vip.texi
--- vip.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:14 -0000	1.7
+++ vip.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:29:13 -0000
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@
 @node Top, Survey,, (DIR)
 @top VIP
 
+@insertcopying 
+
 VIP is a Vi emulating package written in Emacs Lisp.  VIP implements most
 Vi commands including Ex commands.  It is therefore hoped that this package
 will enable you to do Vi style editing under the powerful GNU Emacs
Index: viper.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/viper.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.10
diff -u -r1.10 viper.texi
--- viper.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:14 -0000	1.10
+++ viper.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:29:43 -0000
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@
 
 @unnumbered Viper
 
+@insertcopying
+
 We believe that one or more of the following statements are adequate
 descriptions of Viper:
 
Index: widget.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/widget.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 widget.texi
--- widget.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:14 -0000	1.8
+++ widget.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:29:54 -0000
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
 @comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
 @top The Emacs Widget Library
 
+@insertcopying
+
 @menu
 * Introduction::
 * User Interface::
Index: woman.texi
===================================================================
RCS file: /sources/emacs/emacs/doc/misc/woman.texi,v
retrieving revision 1.8
diff -u -r1.8 woman.texi
--- woman.texi	8 Jan 2009 05:29:15 -0000	1.8
+++ woman.texi	8 Feb 2009 19:30:05 -0000
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@
 @comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
 @top WoMan: Browse Unix Manual Pages ``W.O. (without) Man''
 
+@insertcopying
+
 @display
 Software Version @value{VERSION}
 Manual Last Updated @value{UPDATED}

[-- Attachment #3: Type: text/plain, Size: 298 bytes --]



> Dealing with manuals in other distributions has to be done separately,
> through their respective maintainers/bug lists.  If you want to take
> that on, that would be great.
OK, I'll see what I can do.  Do you have any suggestions about which 
projects would be most receptive?

Jesse Weinstein

bug#1988: Making the license statement visible in the Emacs Manual

[Karl Berry]

    And that's it...  all the others are included in the big-pile-o-patch 
    attached below.

Thanks.  I finally made the changes, inserting some @ifnottex's,
consistently putting the @insertcopying at the end of the Top node, etc.

While I was at it, I made the @contents and @direntry usage consistent too.

    Do you have any suggestions about which 
    projects would be most receptive?

I expect any project will be receptive if you send an actual patch.
I've sent a lot of patches to a lot of Texinfo manuals over the years
and they've never been anything but gratefully received :).