Add options to select previous versions of documentation at least up to 5.2

[abhinavmishra14]

The idea to have community collaborate and contribute to the documentation is excellent. Kudos to the team for this initiative, but but it is very very very dissapointing that, all bookmarked doc links are defaulting to 6.2 even if it was part of 5.0 or 5.2. There are no options to select versions below 6.0. End of Maintenance for ACS 5.2 is February 2022, so still a lot of time left.

It is understandable that since ACS 7 is underway, 6.x will be most recent previous version to deal with, however there are alot of people who are still using ACS 5.2 or below and not yet ready to upgrade to 6.x 

If one has to reffer anything specific to 5.2, there is no option other than going to github project and manually find the archived version of the doc which is also not interactive. So getting to right documentation is like finding a niddle in a bunch of hey.

The initiative itself is great, but there should have been options to use previous version of documentations too. 

Also, when you try to search for something for e.g. "NodeService", current docs interface is taking you to the docs which are not fully revelant if i am interested in learning about the "NodeService". Earlier it used to take us to services documentation and we had option to learn more about each java service.

https://docs.alfresco.com/search/#query/content-services%2Flatest/NodeService

Lastly, It is really really hard for someone to prepare for certification, if someone is in the middle of their preparation. For example ACSCE, ACSCA exam study guides still points to 5.2 which are the current offering of certifications. 

At least old documentations should be available until 5.2 is fully unsupported and certifications are not offered on 5.2. 

An example of ACSCA guide links:

Architecture
https://docs.alfresco.com/5.2/concepts/ch-install.html
https://docs.alfresco.com/5.2/concepts/solr-overview.html

Full guide for current offerings are available here: 

https://university.alfresco.com/alfresco-content-services-certified-administrator-acsca/283382 

https://university.alfresco.com/alfresco-content-services-certified-engineer-acsce/283394

These above links supposed to be taking me to 5.2 but it goes to 6.2 which is not relevant for certification and preparation. 

Please review and help getting back documentations for previous version at least for 5.2. 

[dpowersHSI]

Thank you for your feedback! We are currently working to complete the conversion of the 5.2 documentation. When the new docs.alfresco.com site was designed, a decision was made to convert the existing source material into the new format for the new site starting with the most recent version first. The effort then shifted to the GA release for ACS 7.0. Because of this, the documentation for 5.2 did not manage to complete conversion before the new docs site went live.

To help customers through this conversion process, the 5.2 documentation was archived in a linked github repository, where each product contains an index that is similar to the old docs site for 5.2. For example, this is the location of the ACS 5.2 index:
https://github.com/Alfresco/docs-alfresco/blob/master/_archive/content-services/5.2/ditamaps/index.m...

Each other product also has an index file in its ditamaps directory.

We understand that it is not as user friendly in this format and we are looking at ways to accelerate the conversion of the 5.2 documentation to a more user friendly web experience to help with the transition. Additionally, we continue to work toward fully integrating the 5.2 documentation with the new docs site as soon as we can.

Finally, if the github repository is not an efficient solution for your immediate needs, or you need the files in an offline state, PDFs of the 5.2 documentation are available on the Hyland Community at:
https://community.hyland.com/Products/alfresco/release-notes/release-notes/Alfresco-Content-Services...

A zip file containing all the PDFs is available by clicking the 5.2.7 PDF documentation link under the Documentation heading.

[abhinavmishra14]

Thanks @dpowersHSI 

Really appreciate your response. At least we have a hope now that 5.2 docs will be back. Thanks for the zip link. It is not working for me though, can't access it with my Alfresco ID either. I am getting login error even after using my correct Alfresco ID. 
Is there anything additional needed to access the package?

[dpowersHSI]

I'm sorry for not replying sooner to your question @abhinavmishra14 . It is my understanding that an Alfresco or Hyland ID should work to log you in to that page on the Hyland Community. If that is not the case, please submit a help request using this form: https://community.hyland.com/help-request . Both Alfresco ID and Profile/Login Issue can be selected from the Type of Request drop-down list to help direct your request. That should put you in touch with the people who can help.

[abhinavmishra14]

Thanks @dpowersHSI , I have requested for a hyland profile with help from @EddieMay and also opened a ticket regarding issue with Alfresco ID to access the links.

[EddieMay]

Just to clarify, a Hyland Profile is only available for Hyland customers and partners. At the moment it is different from an Alfresco ID.

[abhinavmishra14]

Correct @EddieMay 

[abhinavmishra14]

This is great news. Good to see the ACS 5.2 docs back. Thanks.

Thanks @EddieMay  @dpowersHSI as well

ACS 5.2 docs are back

[EddieMay]

Hi @abhinavmishra14 

Thanks too for raising this! 

Onwards & upwards!

[EddieMay]

Alfresco ACS 5.2 documentation is here