Windows XP

Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?

Thanks.

"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?

microsoft.public.windowsxp.*

And a lot of localized newsgroups as well. Search for them in your ng
client, or on Microsoft Communities.

Charlie42

There are over two dozen. Using the web interface is hard - try OE instead:
http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm

"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:506CEF06-497D-4F85-B6E4-517D9C45D94B@microsoft.com...
> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?
>
> Thanks.

Head on over to the following page at Microsoft's website on how to
configure your newsreader to read Microsoft's Public Newsgroups:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...groupsetup.mspx
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E8E5CC039D51E3DB!9709.entry
"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:506CEF06-497D-4F85-B6E4-517D9C45D94B@microsoft.com...
> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?
>
> Thanks.

Hi, Michael - and Chris.

Rick's explanation will work with any news server, including whichever one
might be included in your ISP's monthly fee. For the Microsoft public
newsgroups - also known as Discussions or Communities - just click here:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...s.vista.general

or here:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...ndowsxp.general

That one click will:
1. Start OE or WM or WLM, whichever is your default new server, if it is
not already running;
2. Create the News Account for the Microsoft public news server, which is
free and does not require a logon;
3. Subscribe you to the Vista or WinXP newsgroup;
4. Download the 300 newest messages in that group;
5. Display the newest message for you to read.

In other words, it will bring you right back here - or into the WinXP
newsgroup - reading the same messages as in the web-based interface, but
with a different appearance. Then you can click Tools | Newsgroup (or press
Ctrl+W) to see a list of well over 2,000 newsgroups, including about 75 for
WinXP, in several languages; about 30 of the WinXP NGs are in English.

Read a few messages to get a feel for the newsgroups and for the reader.
Then click Tools | Options and customize many settings to suit the way YOU
want to use the program.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)

"Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OZuzCSHWIHA.5556@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> There are over two dozen. Using the web interface is hard - try OE
> instead:
> http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
>
> "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:506CEF06-497D-4F85-B6E4-517D9C45D94B@microsoft.com...
>> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?
>>
>> Thanks.

On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:45:02 -0800, Chris
<Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?


There are many Microsoft Windows XP newsgroups, still going in full
force. Their names begin with microsoft.public.windowsxp...

By the way, although you think that you are participating in a
web-based discussion group, actually you are using a newsgroup. You
are using the awful web interface to participate in this newsgroup,
and that's the slowest, clunkiest, most error-prone method there is.

Do yourself a favor and switch to a newsreader, such as Outlook
Express, which comes with Windows. See
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/o...ssnewreader.htm

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Hello R. C. White,

If one uses the web interface, then one is unlikely to get spammed due
to having posted one's email address. Here is the link to all newsgroups:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...us/default.aspx
You're expected to know how to pop open the plusses [+] on the left.

If one uses WM or OE, one had better be behind a good spam filter
or know how to munge one's email address in order to frustrate spam.
Rick explains that. So clicking on one of your links and posting without
a munged address is apt to get a deluge of spam - an icky outcome
which is likely to discourage the neophyte from using a newsreader.
That one click is too easy - it will sour the burnt one. Following Rick's
instructions probably won't: http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm

"R. C. White" <rc@grandecom.net> wrote in message
news:OzLsmzIWIHA.4532@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Hi, Michael - and Chris.
>
> Rick's explanation will work with any news server, including whichever one
> might be included in your ISP's monthly fee. For the Microsoft public
> newsgroups - also known as Discussions or Communities - just click here:
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...s.vista.general
>
> or here:
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...ndowsxp.general
>
> That one click will:
> 1. Start OE or WM or WLM, whichever is your default new server, if it is
> not already running;
> 2. Create the News Account for the Microsoft public news server, which is
> free and does not require a logon;
> 3. Subscribe you to the Vista or WinXP newsgroup;
> 4. Download the 300 newest messages in that group;
> 5. Display the newest message for you to read.
>
> In other words, it will bring you right back here - or into the WinXP
> newsgroup - reading the same messages as in the web-based interface, but with
> a different appearance. Then you can click Tools | Newsgroup (or press
> Ctrl+W) to see a list of well over 2,000 newsgroups, including about 75 for
> WinXP, in several languages; about 30 of the WinXP NGs are in English.
>
> Read a few messages to get a feel for the newsgroups and for the reader. Then
> click Tools | Options and customize many settings to suit the way YOU want to
> use the program.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
> rc@grandecom.net
> Microsoft Windows MVP
> (Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)
>
> "Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OZuzCSHWIHA.5556@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> There are over two dozen. Using the web interface is hard - try OE instead:
>> http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
>>
>> "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:506CEF06-497D-4F85-B6E4-517D9C45D94B@microsoft.com...
>>> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>

Hi, Michael.

Good point. But, of course, simply signing on to read posts does not supply
our address to the server. The server - and everyone who reads our post -
gets that address when we send a post to the newsgroup. We have plenty of
time to edit our News Account properties before making the first post to any
newsgroup in that account. I probably should add a comment about this to my
standard recommendation.

I've been showing my real address in every post I've made for decades. Yes,
I get some spam. It was running over 200 spams a day a couple of years ago,
but recently has dropped to maybe a half-dozen a day. That's manageable.
In fact, it is much less hassle - to my mind - than trying to deal with the
web-based interface.

Actually, of course, the poster can easily add his/her real address to any
post via the web interface, too. By default, the return address is shown as
JohnDoe@discussions.microsoft.com, but some posters also show their real
address in the message or the Sig.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)

"Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ex4KY6MWIHA.4440@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hello R. C. White,
>
> If one uses the web interface, then one is unlikely to get spammed due
> to having posted one's email address. Here is the link to all newsgroups:
> http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...us/default.aspx
> You're expected to know how to pop open the plusses [+] on the left.
>
> If one uses WM or OE, one had better be behind a good spam filter
> or know how to munge one's email address in order to frustrate spam.
> Rick explains that. So clicking on one of your links and posting without
> a munged address is apt to get a deluge of spam - an icky outcome
> which is likely to discourage the neophyte from using a newsreader.
> That one click is too easy - it will sour the burnt one. Following Rick's
> instructions probably won't: http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
>
> "R. C. White" <rc@grandecom.net> wrote in message
> news:OzLsmzIWIHA.4532@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Hi, Michael - and Chris.
>>
>> Rick's explanation will work with any news server, including whichever
>> one might be included in your ISP's monthly fee. For the Microsoft
>> public newsgroups - also known as Discussions or Communities - just click
>> here:
>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...s.vista.general
>>
>> or here:
>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...ndowsxp.general
>>
>> That one click will:
>> 1. Start OE or WM or WLM, whichever is your default new server, if it
>> is not already running;
>> 2. Create the News Account for the Microsoft public news server, which
>> is free and does not require a logon;
>> 3. Subscribe you to the Vista or WinXP newsgroup;
>> 4. Download the 300 newest messages in that group;
>> 5. Display the newest message for you to read.
>>
>> In other words, it will bring you right back here - or into the WinXP
>> newsgroup - reading the same messages as in the web-based interface, but
>> with a different appearance. Then you can click Tools | Newsgroup (or
>> press Ctrl+W) to see a list of well over 2,000 newsgroups, including
>> about 75 for WinXP, in several languages; about 30 of the WinXP NGs are
>> in English.
>>
>> Read a few messages to get a feel for the newsgroups and for the reader.
>> Then click Tools | Options and customize many settings to suit the way
>> YOU want to use the program.
>>
>> RC
>>
>> "Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:OZuzCSHWIHA.5556@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> There are over two dozen. Using the web interface is hard - try OE
>>> instead:
>>> http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
>>>
>>> "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:506CEF06-497D-4F85-B6E4-517D9C45D94B@microsoft.com...
>>>> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.

My recollection is that the CDO interface changed from prompting for email
address to defaulting @discussions while Swen was first harvesting. That
interface is good for posting problems without bothering to look for answers.

The Swen (news spelled backwards) problem has abated, but those posting
using the CDO still want answers given to them - just have no time to look.
The CDO does not recognize news:// as a link. Check it out:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...c=en-us&m=1&p=1

Your pitch for a more contemplative approach should say to copy and
paste the link into the browser address window and key enter - IE then will
launch the default newsreader - OE, WM, WLM, or whatever. If you want
a real challenge, try getting them to change the CDO to recognize news links.

"R. C. White" <rc@grandecom.net> wrote in message
news:%23q$9KORWIHA.1376@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Hi, Michael.
>
> Good point. But, of course, simply signing on to read posts does not supply
> our address to the server. The server - and everyone who reads our post -
> gets that address when we send a post to the newsgroup. We have plenty of
> time to edit our News Account properties before making the first post to any
> newsgroup in that account. I probably should add a comment about this to my
> standard recommendation.
>
> I've been showing my real address in every post I've made for decades. Yes, I
> get some spam. It was running over 200 spams a day a couple of years ago, but
> recently has dropped to maybe a half-dozen a day. That's manageable. In fact,
> it is much less hassle - to my mind - than trying to deal with the web-based
> interface.
>
> Actually, of course, the poster can easily add his/her real address to any
> post via the web interface, too. By default, the return address is shown as
> JohnDoe@discussions.microsoft.com, but some posters also show their real
> address in the message or the Sig.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
> rc@grandecom.net
> Microsoft Windows MVP
> (Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)
>
> "Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ex4KY6MWIHA.4440@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hello R. C. White,
>>
>> If one uses the web interface, then one is unlikely to get spammed due
>> to having posted one's email address. Here is the link to all newsgroups:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...us/default.aspx
>> You're expected to know how to pop open the plusses [+] on the left.
>>
>> If one uses WM or OE, one had better be behind a good spam filter
>> or know how to munge one's email address in order to frustrate spam.
>> Rick explains that. So clicking on one of your links and posting without
>> a munged address is apt to get a deluge of spam - an icky outcome
>> which is likely to discourage the neophyte from using a newsreader.
>> That one click is too easy - it will sour the burnt one. Following Rick's
>> instructions probably won't: http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
>>
>> "R. C. White" <rc@grandecom.net> wrote in message
>> news:OzLsmzIWIHA.4532@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi, Michael - and Chris.
>>>
>>> Rick's explanation will work with any news server, including whichever one
>>> might be included in your ISP's monthly fee. For the Microsoft public
>>> newsgroups - also known as Discussions or Communities - just click here:
>>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...s.vista.general
>>>
>>> or here:
>>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microso...ndowsxp.general
>>>
>>> That one click will:
>>> 1. Start OE or WM or WLM, whichever is your default new server, if it is
>>> not already running;
>>> 2. Create the News Account for the Microsoft public news server, which is
>>> free and does not require a logon;
>>> 3. Subscribe you to the Vista or WinXP newsgroup;
>>> 4. Download the 300 newest messages in that group;
>>> 5. Display the newest message for you to read.
>>>
>>> In other words, it will bring you right back here - or into the WinXP
>>> newsgroup - reading the same messages as in the web-based interface, but
>>> with a different appearance. Then you can click Tools | Newsgroup (or press
>>> Ctrl+W) to see a list of well over 2,000 newsgroups, including about 75 for
>>> WinXP, in several languages; about 30 of the WinXP NGs are in English.
>>>
>>> Read a few messages to get a feel for the newsgroups and for the reader.
>>> Then click Tools | Options and customize many settings to suit the way YOU
>>> want to use the program.
>>>
>>> RC
>>>
>>> "Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:OZuzCSHWIHA.5556@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> There are over two dozen. Using the web interface is hard - try OE instead:
>>>> http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
>>>>
>>>> "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:506CEF06-497D-4F85-B6E4-517D9C45D94B@microsoft.com...
>>>>> Does Microsoft host any discussion groups for Windows XP anymore?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks.
>

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:02:50 -0600, "Michael Jennings"
<metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello R. C. White,
>
> If one uses the web interface, then one is unlikely to get spammed due
> to having posted one's email address.


Why should it be any different from posting using a newsreader? In
either case, the messages end up in the same places, the Microsoft
news server, and all the many other news servers that they are
propagated to. When they get there, they are subject to being
harvested by spambots.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please Reply to the Newsgroup