+@node Getting a GNU Account
+@chapter Getting a GNU Account
+@cindex shell account, on fencepost
+@cindex @code{fencepost.gnu.org} GNU machine
+
+@c We want to repeat this text later, so define a macro.
+@macro gdgnuorgtext
+The directory @file{/gd/gnuorg} mentioned throughout this document is
+available on the general GNU server, currently
+@code{fencepost.gnu.org}. If you are the maintainer of a GNU package,
+you should have an account there. If you don't have one already,
+@url{http://www.gnu.org/software/README.accounts.html}. You can also
+ask for accounts for people who significantly help you in working on
+the package.
+@end macro
+
+@gdgnuorgtext
+
+@cindex down, when GNU machines are
+@cindex outage, of GNU machines
+@cindex @url{identi.ca/group/fsfstatus}
+If you find that any GNU computer systems (@code{fencepost.gnu.org},
+@code{ftp.gnu.org}, @code{www.gnu.org}, @code{savannah.gnu.org},
+@dots{}) seem to be down, you can check the current status at
+@url{http://identi.ca/group/fsfstatus}. Most likely the problem, if
+it can be alleviated at the FSF end, is already being worked on.
+
+