How to make similar documentation using Confluence like it is set for all Atlassian products?

[Mirek]

Hi,

I have a question regarding creating documentation in Confluence…

I was always wondering is this possible to achieve the same idea of preparing documentation that are used for all Atlassian products for each release.

When new release is coming the newest version of the product have the basic URL like

http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA/JIRA+Documentation

and older versions have automatically number in the URL:

http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA043/JIRA+Documentation

http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA042/JIRA+Documentation

…

…

If you want to switch to older documentation you just simply change the URL and you get the same page with the same title. There is also information on the top for which version is this documentation like..

This documentation relates to JIRA 5.0.x

If you are using an earlier version, please view the previous versions of the JIRA documentation and select the relevant version.

This documentation relates to an earlier version of JIRA ( JIRA 4.3.x ). The latest official version is JIRA 4.4.x

View this page in the JIRA 4.4.x documentation or visit the JIRA 4.4.x documentation home page.

So my question is simple.. Can somebody can tell me how this is really working in practice?

Thank you for help!

Mirek

[Andrew Frayling · Accepted solution]

Hi Mirek,

Have a look at http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/DOC/Developing+Technical+Documentation+on+Confluence+Wiki this explains how Atlassian create they documentation and manage the documentation lifecycle.

There's also http://ffeathers.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/space-jumping-in-a-wiki-documentation-theme/ for how they use Space Jump to do the "You're viewing an old version of the documentation, click here to view the new documentation" functionality.

And http://ffeathers.wordpress.com/2007/11/17/wiki-docs-release-management/ for another overview of the documentation lifecycle.

Hope that helps,

Andrew.

[Mirek]

Hi Andrew,

This is very helpful! Thanks!

Mirek