NobodyMan

[Gordon]

The problem is that sometimes you just can't get the right keyword
for a successful search or else there's something wrong. There were
several occasions in my own case, for instances, where I clicked on a
link in my hotmail (there because of "Notify me of replies") that
brought me back to the correct newsgroup but with my own
message nowhere in sight on the message page.

You would be much better off if you used a proper Newsreader instead of the
crummy web access. Outlook Express will do very nicely.

 

[Guest]

OK. Got that Gordon. Can I just simply install that and use as any other ap?
Or is there something else like extra charge involved to the SP? I'm not up
on this thing though I know it's there. Got hotmail for my small email needs.
Sometime back tried use Outlook but wouldn't work. When asked local SP for
help (this is in Malaysia), they said to use their substitute but that there
was some payments involved.

Thanx

 

[Nightowl]

The problem is that sometimes you just can't get the right keyword for a
successful search or else there's something wrong.

[snip . . .]

Entering different keywords from my message title, several times, in
'Search', didn't help.

[snip . . .]

So how can one expect to find answers via search when one can't even
quickly find one's own message. Not saying this happens all the time -
but it does happen and I have no idea why.

Hi Ted

I do sympathise. . . it must have been terribly frustrating, and good
for you for at least attempting to search for previous answers.

I have to say though that I agree with what others have said: if you're
going to be reading newsgroups at all regularly -- and it's a great way
to learn -- you would be much better off using a newsreader program
instead of the Microsoft web interface. There are many Windows
newsreaders around, including excellent free ones but you could just
start off with Outlook Express, which you will already have. Different
readers will work slightly differently, but they all offer ways of
searching; marking or "watching" your own posts and answers to them, so
they can be found easily; keeping useful answers; filtering out or
blocking posts from people you don't like, and much more. Here's a link
on setting up OE for news by MVP Michael Stevens:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

Another very useful place when you're searching for answers is Google
Groups, here:
http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search
It's a good idea to check here before posting to the newsgroup, to see
if your question has already come up and been answered. Just type the
name of this group in the Group box (or type microsoft.public.windowsxp*
to scan all the XP groups), change the date range to perhaps the last
year, then fill in your search terms. You'll then quickly be able to see
previous relevant questions and answers.

Then there are some experts who reply primarily in terms of links instead of
requested step-by-step procedures that newbies can cope with. Some of those
'links' can be a bit to technical, intimidating and overwhelming for some of
us - leading to the same questions being asked over and over again. Not to
say we don't appreciate the reasons for brevity - which are the overwhelming
no. of questions and the valuable time sacrificed by a limited number of
experts on the subject.

There can be other good reasons for posting link. . . If I'm answering
someone and I know of a link, I always refer the poster to it. I feel it
will give them more confidence to know they are following directions
from a Microsoft Knowledge Base article, for example, instead of someone
they never heard of before on a newsgroup And often I just remember
seeing something on that subject, and can find the link for the poster,
but don't know all the ins and outs of it myself. Far better to refer
them to the original rather than me paraphrasing it and possibly getting
it wrong.

If you ever do feel lost or bewildered trying to follow instructions in
a link, don't be afraid to post back. "I'm following Knowledge Base
article XYZ and I've got up to step 3, but I don't understand why it
says ABC". . .

In meanwhile maybe some visitor or one of you gents will see my thread

Heh, Ted, not everyone here is of the male persuasion. . .

Take care,

 

[Guest]

My hat off to the ladies! - in particular, Nightowl. First comprehensive &
comprehensible solution to a problem I've had for a long while. Will digest
all that in good time - soon as finish up with my followups here. Fact is,
for all its apparent and perceived flaws, am starting to get used to this
thing,
learning to compensate like a mouse in a maze.

Definitely few things awry with this 'reader' (whatever). Few hours ago,
lost
a whole reply I was working on in this very box, after click on 'post'. Pop
up
made me sign in again and when got back, all my work was gone - save for
the message I was replying to. And so it goes. May happen again with this one.
Better copy it to Notebook first.

Sorry about the slip of the pen. Usually I'd pay my respects to both genders.
In this case I'd noted only gents names in the queue, 'though. Still, you're
right.

Well, what else can one say, except thanx loads for all that good info.
Really appreciate. Your style, by the way, sounds a bit familiar - as if of
someone I knew long ago. Odd. Then again, could be just a transient deja vu
flashback to the days when coms were a bit more circumspect and civil.

Got to go look up few more little items on my list.