Etiquette
Keep in mind that many software in Ubuntu is maintained by people in their spare time, brought to you for free.
If you care about an Ubuntu release not having bugs, test the daily image five months before launch. So developers have time to fix it.
If writing more doesn't make a tangible difference, write less.
If you have any doubt, you can ask any time.
Not bugs
You shouldn't file a bug here if you are:
Reporting windowed applications
In the Terminal application enter:
ubuntu-bug -w
Reporting non windowed applications
1. Using the Synaptic application and the list of common packages, determine which software package is the most likely to be affected.
2. In the Terminal application enter the following, substituting PACKAGE with your package name:
ubuntu-bug PACKAGE
3. Or if you haven't been able to determine the package, just enter:
ubuntu-bug
Reporting offline systems
If the system internet does't work, do the following:
1. On the target system, in the Terminal application enter the following. Substituting PACKAGE with your package name:
- For a crash:
apport-cli -p PACKAGE --save bug.crash
- For a any other issue:
apport-cli -f -p PACKAGE --save bug.apport
2. Copy the generated file to the system used for filing the report.
3. On that reporting system, in the Terminal application enter the following. Substituting FILE with your file name:
ubuntu-bug -c FILE
Reporting unusable systems
Only if you system doesn't fit any of the above methods go to the following site, substituting PACKAGE with your package name:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/PACKAGE/+filebug
Or if you haven't been able to determine the package:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug