Is the web-based interface to the microsoft.public groups working?

I was on this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

and I selected (expanded) the microsoft.public.win98 tree (on the left
side), and then went back (scrolled down) to select
microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion and after a minute or two I get
this:

--------------
Service Temporarily Unavailable
We apologize for this inconvenience. Please try again later.
---------------

I got this last night, and I'm getting it again just now.

Is there some other way to bring up the microsoft web-interface to this
group?

YES Start here!
http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Poor UseNet

"98 Guy" wrote in message ...
I was on this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

and I selected (expanded) the microsoft.public.win98 tree (on the left
side), and then went back (scrolled down) to select
microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion and after a minute or two I get
this:

--------------
Service Temporarily Unavailable
We apologize for this inconvenience. Please try again later.
---------------

I got this last night, and I'm getting it again just now.

Is there some other way to bring up the microsoft web-interface to this
group?

YES Start here!
http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Poor UseNet

"98 Guy" wrote in message ...
I was on this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

and I selected (expanded) the microsoft.public.win98 tree (on the left
side), and then went back (scrolled down) to select
microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion and after a minute or two I get
this:

--------------
Service Temporarily Unavailable
We apologize for this inconvenience. Please try again later.
---------------

I got this last night, and I'm getting it again just now.

Is there some other way to bring up the microsoft web-interface to this
group?

Hot-text wrote:

YES Start here!
http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

So is this web-interface now dead:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

???

Where (or how) can I read this newsgroup on Microsoft using a web
browser right now?

Hot-text wrote:

YES Start here!
http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

So is this web-interface now dead:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

???

Where (or how) can I read this newsgroup on Microsoft using a web
browser right now?

On 05/10/2010 09:45 AM, 98 Guy wrote:
Hot-text wrote:

YES Start here!
http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

So is this web-interface now dead:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

???

Where (or how) can I read this newsgroup on Microsoft using a web
browser right now?

Using that particular interface is not apparently going to work.
You, 98 Guy, received and commented [some in a semi-acceptable fashion
and some not] on the official notice(s) from Microsoft pursuant the
closing of the NNTP service and interface, that includes the web entry
point into the forum and its NNTP service; apparently the web interface
is now closed or being otherwise worked on, perhaps for redirection
purposes. You shouldn't need that explained to you. It MAY also have
something to do with the "proxy"/software that needs installed.
Additionally, "cloud" is being instituted and other methods within
Microsoft products, so there are aspects involved/for consideration.

THE BELOW IS NOT OFFICIAL, but what appears to be happening. It is
merely an attempt at explanation as it appears to me, and opinion per
the future/any continuance:

As noted within the official Notice from Microsoft, the groups
Microsoft intends to continue are being converted into forums within its
communities unless there is already a comparable group offered.
This may take some time to accomplish as there are hundreds to do, and
numerous are redundant. Those which already have similar groups, such as
security issues, Office issues, networking, and similar, are being
directed towards the community forums and there-through, towards those
comparable groups.

Other legacy products appear to presently be in-limbo, such as the OSs
Windows 2000 and Windows 98, and similar. Whether Microsoft chooses to
continue these or provide comparable community groups is something
Microsoft is presently determining and working through [as noted in the
official Notices].

Personally, I see no reason Microsoft shouldn't provide SOMETHING
pursuant these in its communities. It would certainly not be an
indication of continued official "support" but as per these public NNTP
services, merely "user" support within Microsoft's communities.
It can/could be handled [for legal purposes] in the same fashion as
Microsoft has handled its old articles, TechNet inclusions, etc., which
deal with legacy products; or others have done elsewhere; such as: by a
"sticky" Notice, pop-over, or click through, or other simple similar
inclusion within the legacy group, for instance, a page header inclusion
noting Microsoft's policy statement {as in "Notice: This is not official
Microsoft support" or similar} pursuant the reason for and indicating
these were NOT official support but provided for the "user" community [a
PR issue].
The groups are and/or could be moderated, so there would be no apparent
reason not to include legacy products, as the moderator(s) could, if
necessary, direct to Microsoft's policy/statement and Product Support
page if/when necessary.
Moreover, this would also likely help keep those legacy product users
from searching elsewhere for information and likely running across the
very things Microsoft does not want, cracks, keys, pirated software, and
similar.
Of course that's just my opinion.

As previously noted by Microsoft, official Notice from Microsoft will
be placed within the public NNTP groups pursuant the official date of
closing that segment/group.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---

On 05/10/2010 09:45 AM, 98 Guy wrote:
Hot-text wrote:

YES Start here!
http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

So is this web-interface now dead:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx

???

Where (or how) can I read this newsgroup on Microsoft using a web
browser right now?

Using that particular interface is not apparently going to work.
You, 98 Guy, received and commented [some in a semi-acceptable fashion
and some not] on the official notice(s) from Microsoft pursuant the
closing of the NNTP service and interface, that includes the web entry
point into the forum and its NNTP service; apparently the web interface
is now closed or being otherwise worked on, perhaps for redirection
purposes. You shouldn't need that explained to you. It MAY also have
something to do with the "proxy"/software that needs installed.
Additionally, "cloud" is being instituted and other methods within
Microsoft products, so there are aspects involved/for consideration.

THE BELOW IS NOT OFFICIAL, but what appears to be happening. It is
merely an attempt at explanation as it appears to me, and opinion per
the future/any continuance:

As noted within the official Notice from Microsoft, the groups
Microsoft intends to continue are being converted into forums within its
communities unless there is already a comparable group offered.
This may take some time to accomplish as there are hundreds to do, and
numerous are redundant. Those which already have similar groups, such as
security issues, Office issues, networking, and similar, are being
directed towards the community forums and there-through, towards those
comparable groups.

Other legacy products appear to presently be in-limbo, such as the OSs
Windows 2000 and Windows 98, and similar. Whether Microsoft chooses to
continue these or provide comparable community groups is something
Microsoft is presently determining and working through [as noted in the
official Notices].

Personally, I see no reason Microsoft shouldn't provide SOMETHING
pursuant these in its communities. It would certainly not be an
indication of continued official "support" but as per these public NNTP
services, merely "user" support within Microsoft's communities.
It can/could be handled [for legal purposes] in the same fashion as
Microsoft has handled its old articles, TechNet inclusions, etc., which
deal with legacy products; or others have done elsewhere; such as: by a
"sticky" Notice, pop-over, or click through, or other simple similar
inclusion within the legacy group, for instance, a page header inclusion
noting Microsoft's policy statement {as in "Notice: This is not official
Microsoft support" or similar} pursuant the reason for and indicating
these were NOT official support but provided for the "user" community [a
PR issue].
The groups are and/or could be moderated, so there would be no apparent
reason not to include legacy products, as the moderator(s) could, if
necessary, direct to Microsoft's policy/statement and Product Support
page if/when necessary.
Moreover, this would also likely help keep those legacy product users
from searching elsewhere for information and likely running across the
very things Microsoft does not want, cracks, keys, pirated software, and
similar.
Of course that's just my opinion.

As previously noted by Microsoft, official Notice from Microsoft will
be placed within the public NNTP groups pursuant the official date of
closing that segment/group.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---

rant
Web-based access to these newsgroups (i.e., via
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx) is
not dead, at least not literally...yet.

That being said, the dependability/reliability of web-based access to these
newsgroups is iffy at best and has been for over a year now (primarily due
to staffing/budget cuts IMHO). For example, I wasn't able to access any
newsgroups (e.g.,
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...orer. general)
via the web-interface this past weekend...and usually on any weekend. And I
note that no one on the team responsible for keeping these newsgroups up &
running works weekends or holidays now.
/rant

rant
Web-based access to these newsgroups (i.e., via
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx) is
not dead, at least not literally...yet.

That being said, the dependability/reliability of web-based access to these
newsgroups is iffy at best and has been for over a year now (primarily due
to staffing/budget cuts IMHO). For example, I wasn't able to access any
newsgroups (e.g.,
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...orer. general)
via the web-interface this past weekend...and usually on any weekend. And I
note that no one on the team responsible for keeping these newsgroups up &
running works weekends or holidays now.
/rant

On 05/10/2010 02:38 PM, PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
rant
Web-based access to these newsgroups (i.e., via
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.aspx)
is not dead, at least not literally...yet.

That being said, the dependability/reliability of web-based access to
these newsgroups is iffy at best and has been for over a year now
(primarily due to staffing/budget cuts IMHO). For example, I wasn't
able to access any newsgroups (e.g.,
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...orer. general)
via the web-interface this past weekend...and usually on any weekend.
And I note that no one on the team responsible for keeping these
newsgroups up & running works weekends or holidays now.
/rant

Whoa, cuts everywhere then... so Microsoft has now seen the effects of
the market and financial rip-off. So let's see, that means the people
should have a major someone on their side now... ah yeah...
You must be right, the access seems to be available at the moment...
musta forgot to leave the electric on to the server...

--
MEB