Microsoft is planning on phasing out newsgroups

According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the old
newsgroups and helping users transition to Microsoft Answers, Technet, and
MSDN. What are your thoughts on this.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097&tag=nl.e539

On 05/04/2010 04:03 PM, Dan wrote:
According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the old
newsgroups and helping users transition to Microsoft Answers, Technet, and
MSDN. What are your thoughts on this.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097&tag=nl.e539


looks like the win98 group will end...
however Usenet hardly needs MS...
there are thousands of other , active groups for computer and OS-related
problems

On 05/04/2010 04:03 PM, Dan wrote:
According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the old
newsgroups and helping users transition to Microsoft Answers, Technet, and
MSDN. What are your thoughts on this.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097&tag=nl.e539


looks like the win98 group will end...
however Usenet hardly needs MS...
there are thousands of other , active groups for computer and OS-related
problems

Found online in the past hour or so...

Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Communities
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Microsoft hitting 'unsubscribe' on newsgroups
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20004109-56.htm


Dan wrote:
According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the old
newsgroups and helping users transition to Microsoft Answers, Technet, and
MSDN. What are your thoughts on this.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097

Found online in the past hour or so...

Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Communities
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Microsoft hitting 'unsubscribe' on newsgroups
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20004109-56.htm


Dan wrote:
According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the old
newsgroups and helping users transition to Microsoft Answers, Technet, and
MSDN. What are your thoughts on this.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097

Dan wrote:

According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the
old newsgroups and helping users transition to ...

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097&tag=nl.e539

Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Communities
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Microsoft hitting 'unsubscribe' on newsgroups
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20004109-56.htm

That will not affect the existance and continued propagation of the set
of newsgroups
with names that happen to begin with "microsoft.public."

Those of you that don't know any better than to read this or any other
microsoft newsgroup via the microsoft servers and who don't know how to
use alternate servers will disappear, but those of us who use "regular"
nntp servers will continue to read and post messages to this and other
microsoft.public newsgroups.

As I've said many times, Microsoft does not own or control the
microsoft.public set of newsgroups. They don't act as a central
coordinator, aggregator, or administrator of them, nor can they censor
or moderate them or their content. Many of you, for some reason,
believes that Microsoft does own, control, administer or coordinate
these groups. That is a delusion.

If Microsoft pulls the plug on their own NNTP server, they can certainly
do that, but it will have zero impact as to whether or not the
"world-wide" usenet community of servers will also do the same. They
have no obligation to do so (legal or otherwise).

Dan wrote:

According to this site, Microsoft is planning on phasing out the
old newsgroups and helping users transition to ...

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6097&tag=nl.e539

Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Communities
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Microsoft hitting 'unsubscribe' on newsgroups
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20004109-56.htm

That will not affect the existance and continued propagation of the set
of newsgroups
with names that happen to begin with "microsoft.public."

Those of you that don't know any better than to read this or any other
microsoft newsgroup via the microsoft servers and who don't know how to
use alternate servers will disappear, but those of us who use "regular"
nntp servers will continue to read and post messages to this and other
microsoft.public newsgroups.

As I've said many times, Microsoft does not own or control the
microsoft.public set of newsgroups. They don't act as a central
coordinator, aggregator, or administrator of them, nor can they censor
or moderate them or their content. Many of you, for some reason,
believes that Microsoft does own, control, administer or coordinate
these groups. That is a delusion.

If Microsoft pulls the plug on their own NNTP server, they can certainly
do that, but it will have zero impact as to whether or not the
"world-wide" usenet community of servers will also do the same. They
have no obligation to do so (legal or otherwise).

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p.../nwsgrppr.mspx

Microsoft PressPass - Microsoft Announces Internet Newsgroups For
Peer-to-Peer Discussions on Microsoft Products

REDMOND, Wash., April 9, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the
addition of no-charge Microsoft-sponsored NNTP newsgroups on the
Internet to its family of Information Services offerings. This new
service boosts Microsoft's Internet presence and further addresses
customer demand for one-stop information and services over the Internet.
Microsoft is investing in the newsgroups to create a community in which
customers can share technical information about Microsoft® products and
technologies. Microsoft Newsgroups are scheduled to be live and
accessible to customers on April 15, 1996, via the Support area of the
Microsoft World Wide Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/support/).

"Our goal is to provide accurate and timely information that is widely
available and affordable for our customers, and the Internet newsgroups
are one more way for us to meet this goal," said Linda Glenicki, general
manager of AnswerPoint at Microsoft. "Customer discussion groups provide
a rich source of technical information, and the increasing popularity of
the Internet allows us to provide access to this information to a very
broad set of customers."

Microsoft Newsgroups on the Internet will replace Microsoft-sponsored
forums on CompuServe® as of April 20. CompuServe customers can easily
link to the Microsoft support Web site and the newsgroups from the
Microsoft Connection area on CompuServe. In addition, CompuServe will
offer third-party forums on Microsoft products.

Customers currently access the Microsoft Frequently Asked Questions,
Knowledge Base, and Software Library more than 850,000 times per week on
the Internet. The addition of Microsoft Newsgroups rounds out
Microsoft's Internet offerings by providing an interactive environment
for customers to send each other messages and responses about Microsoft
products. Customers need only an NNTP-compatible newsgroup reader and
Internet access to connect to Microsoft Newsgroups at no charge
(Internet connection charges apply).

Microsoft MVPs (most valuable professionals) will provide technical
answers and foster the growth of the online community. Microsoft will
stay involved in Microsoft Newsgroups, monitoring responses for accuracy
and assisting MVPs as needed. The MVP program recognizes Microsoft
customers who voluntarily assist others in customer-to-customer
discussion areas. Microsoft MVPs come from a wide range of backgrounds
and professions, yet they all share one key attribute: a willingness to
give time, expertise and advice to enhance other customers' technical
skills.

"Being an MVP is a natural extension of my desire to help others solve
their computing roadblocks," said Ross Pfaff, who was recognized as an
MVP in August 1995. "Whether it's a mission-critical situation or a
home-entertainment problem, assisting fellow computer users as an MVP
allows me to give back some of what I've been given: knowledge and
satisfaction." For more information on the MVP program or how to become
an MVP, please see the About Support area of the Microsoft World Wide
Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/).

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT" ) is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft
Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p.../nwsgrppr.mspx

Microsoft PressPass - Microsoft Announces Internet Newsgroups For
Peer-to-Peer Discussions on Microsoft Products

REDMOND, Wash., April 9, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the
addition of no-charge Microsoft-sponsored NNTP newsgroups on the
Internet to its family of Information Services offerings. This new
service boosts Microsoft's Internet presence and further addresses
customer demand for one-stop information and services over the Internet.
Microsoft is investing in the newsgroups to create a community in which
customers can share technical information about Microsoft® products and
technologies. Microsoft Newsgroups are scheduled to be live and
accessible to customers on April 15, 1996, via the Support area of the
Microsoft World Wide Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/support/).

"Our goal is to provide accurate and timely information that is widely
available and affordable for our customers, and the Internet newsgroups
are one more way for us to meet this goal," said Linda Glenicki, general
manager of AnswerPoint at Microsoft. "Customer discussion groups provide
a rich source of technical information, and the increasing popularity of
the Internet allows us to provide access to this information to a very
broad set of customers."

Microsoft Newsgroups on the Internet will replace Microsoft-sponsored
forums on CompuServe® as of April 20. CompuServe customers can easily
link to the Microsoft support Web site and the newsgroups from the
Microsoft Connection area on CompuServe. In addition, CompuServe will
offer third-party forums on Microsoft products.

Customers currently access the Microsoft Frequently Asked Questions,
Knowledge Base, and Software Library more than 850,000 times per week on
the Internet. The addition of Microsoft Newsgroups rounds out
Microsoft's Internet offerings by providing an interactive environment
for customers to send each other messages and responses about Microsoft
products. Customers need only an NNTP-compatible newsgroup reader and
Internet access to connect to Microsoft Newsgroups at no charge
(Internet connection charges apply).

Microsoft MVPs (most valuable professionals) will provide technical
answers and foster the growth of the online community. Microsoft will
stay involved in Microsoft Newsgroups, monitoring responses for accuracy
and assisting MVPs as needed. The MVP program recognizes Microsoft
customers who voluntarily assist others in customer-to-customer
discussion areas. Microsoft MVPs come from a wide range of backgrounds
and professions, yet they all share one key attribute: a willingness to
give time, expertise and advice to enhance other customers' technical
skills.

"Being an MVP is a natural extension of my desire to help others solve
their computing roadblocks," said Ross Pfaff, who was recognized as an
MVP in August 1995. "Whether it's a mission-critical situation or a
home-entertainment problem, assisting fellow computer users as an MVP
allows me to give back some of what I've been given: knowledge and
satisfaction." For more information on the MVP program or how to become
an MVP, please see the About Support area of the Microsoft World Wide
Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/).

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT" ) is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft
Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

"Guy Ninety8" wrote in message
...

That will not affect the existance and continued propagation of the
set
of newsgroups
with names that happen to begin with "microsoft.public."

Those of you that don't know any better than to read this or any other
microsoft newsgroup via the microsoft servers and who don't know how
to
use alternate servers will disappear, but those of us who use
"regular"
nntp servers will continue to read and post messages to this and other
microsoft.public newsgroups.

As I've said many times, Microsoft does not own or control the
microsoft.public set of newsgroups. They don't act as a central
coordinator, aggregator, or administrator of them, nor can they censor
or moderate them or their content. Many of you, for some reason,
believes that Microsoft does own, control, administer or coordinate
these groups. That is a delusion.

If Microsoft pulls the plug on their own NNTP server, they can
certainly
do that, but it will have zero impact as to whether or not the
"world-wide" usenet community of servers will also do the same. They
have no obligation to do so (legal or otherwise).

What you say about the existence and propagation of the microsoft.public
hierarchy is true...they will continue on other servers as long as they
choose to carry them. But to say it will have zero impact is not the
case. Groups like this one and the win95 group and the win3x_wfw_dos
group already have a very small number of posters...often the same
couple-of-dozen people now...so you won't see much change. But busier
groups supporting operating systems and applications that are not EOL
still have a relatively large user base, and an estimated two-thirds of
the posts in those groups originate from either the MS server or the MS
web forums...the greater number from the web forums. When those sources
shut off, you will see a significant drop in traffic in those groups.
The majority of those users will simply continue to use, or switch to,
the web forums. I don't like it, but that is the likely scenario.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/