Merge branch 'master' into release104

Author: ricksbrown

README.md

@@ -40,13 +40,36 @@ Projects using this must ensure the necessary POM sections are overriden - these
 <url>https://github.com/bordertech/java-common/</url>
 ```
 
-Once you have configured your project and environment you can release to Maven Central with a command like so:
+Once you have configured your project and environment you can release to Maven Central. It may look a little something like the examples below.
 
-```mvn release:clean release:prepare release:perform -Psonatype-oss-release```
+### Example Releasing
+The golden rule is ALWAYS do this on a separate branch (it makes [backing out](https://github.com/BorderTech/java-common/wiki/Releasing#dealing-with-failure) much easier when problems arise).
 
-or, to skip tests:
+```bash
+# make sure you are on the main/default branch
+git checkout master # or "git checkout bobbie" etc
 
-```mvn release:clean release:prepare release:perform -Psonatype-oss-release -Darguments="-DskipTests"```
+# fetch latest changes from main repository
+git fetch origin # or "git fetch upstream" if you are on a fork
+
+# ensure local branch is up-to-date
+git merge origin/master # or "git merge upstream/master" or "git merge upstream/bobbie" etc
+
+# create a new release branch (you could skip this step if it already exists which it probably shouldn't)
+git branch release-xyz # "git branch release-123" etc
+
+# switch to release branch
+git checkout release-xyz # "git checkout !$" is easier :)
+
+# perform the release
+mvn release:clean release:prepare release:perform -Psonatype-oss-release
+```
+
+or to skip tests while releasing add `-Darguments="-DskipTests"`:
+
+```
+mvn release:clean release:prepare release:perform -Psonatype-oss-release -Darguments="-DskipTests"
+```
 
 
 Full documentation is available in the wiki under [Releasing](https://github.com/BorderTech/java-common/wiki/Releasing)