Why are a number of the newsgroups disappearing?

Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance.

On 07/17/2010 11:43 AM, sheana wrote:
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

They're history. MS wants you to go to their web forums where they can
control the content and suppress free speech (and not to mention having
a new Hotmail account they can sell to spammers as valid). Other news
servers are still carrying MS groups but for how long is not known.

--
Alias

On 07/17/2010 11:43 AM, sheana wrote:
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

They're history. MS wants you to go to their web forums where they can
control the content and suppress free speech (and not to mention having
a new Hotmail account they can sell to spammers as valid). Other news
servers are still carrying MS groups but for how long is not known.

--
Alias

"sheana" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the last few
months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin discontinuing
newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft forums.

Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now; however, the
traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily decreasing for the
past several years while customers and participants are increasingly finding
solutions in the forums on Microsoft properties and third party sites. This
move will unify the customer experience, centralize content, make it easier
for active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate redundancies and
make the content easier to find by customers and search engines through
improved indexing. Additionally, forums offer a better user and spam
management platform that will improve customer satisfaction by encouraging a
healthy discussion in a clean community space. To this end, Microsoft will
begin to progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.

In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for those
users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to participate in the
newsgroups community, we have developed a solution called the NNTP Bridge
which allows a user to connect a variety of supported NNTP readers to the
forums they would like to participate in and continue having the NTTP reader
functionality. You can find instructions on how to download and set up the
NNTP Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1, 2010 and
October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in a phased approach,
starting with the least active newsgroups and moving eventually to more
active ones throughout the course of the next six months.


Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite you
to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
"

"sheana" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the last few
months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin discontinuing
newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft forums.

Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now; however, the
traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily decreasing for the
past several years while customers and participants are increasingly finding
solutions in the forums on Microsoft properties and third party sites. This
move will unify the customer experience, centralize content, make it easier
for active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate redundancies and
make the content easier to find by customers and search engines through
improved indexing. Additionally, forums offer a better user and spam
management platform that will improve customer satisfaction by encouraging a
healthy discussion in a clean community space. To this end, Microsoft will
begin to progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.

In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for those
users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to participate in the
newsgroups community, we have developed a solution called the NNTP Bridge
which allows a user to connect a variety of supported NNTP readers to the
forums they would like to participate in and continue having the NTTP reader
functionality. You can find instructions on how to download and set up the
NNTP Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1, 2010 and
October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in a phased approach,
starting with the least active newsgroups and moving eventually to more
active ones throughout the course of the next six months.


Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite you
to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
"

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:43:08 -0400, just as I was about to take a
herb, "sheana" disturbed my reverie and wrote:

Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance.

It's aliens, run for the hills.

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:43:08 -0400, just as I was about to take a
herb, "sheana" disturbed my reverie and wrote:

Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance.

It's aliens, run for the hills.

I haven't been reading the newsgroups lately. but since I will have to
migrate to the forums, where are they? Thanks in advance.

"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"sheana" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the last few
months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin discontinuing
newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft forums.

Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now; however, the
traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily decreasing for the
past several years while customers and participants are increasingly
finding
solutions in the forums on Microsoft properties and third party sites.
This
move will unify the customer experience, centralize content, make it
easier
for active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate redundancies
and
make the content easier to find by customers and search engines through
improved indexing. Additionally, forums offer a better user and spam
management platform that will improve customer satisfaction by encouraging
a
healthy discussion in a clean community space. To this end, Microsoft
will
begin to progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.

In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for those
users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to participate in the
newsgroups community, we have developed a solution called the NNTP Bridge
which allows a user to connect a variety of supported NNTP readers to the
forums they would like to participate in and continue having the NTTP
reader
functionality. You can find instructions on how to download and set up
the
NNTP Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1, 2010 and
October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in a phased
approach,
starting with the least active newsgroups and moving eventually to more
active ones throughout the course of the next six months.


Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite
you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
"

I haven't been reading the newsgroups lately. but since I will have to
migrate to the forums, where are they? Thanks in advance.

"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"sheana" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the last few
months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin discontinuing
newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft forums.

Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now; however, the
traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily decreasing for the
past several years while customers and participants are increasingly
finding
solutions in the forums on Microsoft properties and third party sites.
This
move will unify the customer experience, centralize content, make it
easier
for active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate redundancies
and
make the content easier to find by customers and search engines through
improved indexing. Additionally, forums offer a better user and spam
management platform that will improve customer satisfaction by encouraging
a
healthy discussion in a clean community space. To this end, Microsoft
will
begin to progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.

In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for those
users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to participate in the
newsgroups community, we have developed a solution called the NNTP Bridge
which allows a user to connect a variety of supported NNTP readers to the
forums they would like to participate in and continue having the NTTP
reader
functionality. You can find instructions on how to download and set up
the
NNTP Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1, 2010 and
October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in a phased
approach,
starting with the least active newsgroups and moving eventually to more
active ones throughout the course of the next six months.


Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite
you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
"

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...-US/categories

"sheana" wrote:

Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance.

.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...-US/categories

"sheana" wrote:

Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I clicked
on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that newsgroup was
not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance.

.

sheana wrote:
I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out
the communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them
incredibly helpful. Thanks in advance.

SC Tom wrote:
I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the
last few months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin
discontinuing newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft
forums.
Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now;
however, the traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily
decreasing for the past several years while customers and
participants are increasingly finding solutions in the forums on
Microsoft properties and third party sites. This move will unify
the customer experience, centralize content, make it easier for
active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate
redundancies and make the content easier to find by customers and
search engines through improved indexing. Additionally, forums
offer a better user and spam management platform that will improve
customer satisfaction by encouraging a healthy discussion in a
clean community space. To this end, Microsoft will begin to
progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.
In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for
those users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to
participate in the newsgroups community, we have developed a
solution called the NNTP Bridge which allows a user to connect a
variety of supported NNTP readers to the forums they would like to
participate in and continue having the NTTP reader functionality. You can
find instructions on how to download and set up the NNTP
Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/
Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1,
2010 and October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in
a phased approach, starting with the least active newsgroups and
moving eventually to more active ones throughout the course of the
next six months.

Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup
is scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like
to invite you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are
finalized.
Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing
to "

sheana wrote:
I haven't been reading the newsgroups lately. but since I will have
to migrate to the forums, where are they? Thanks in advance.


You obviously not only "haven't been reading the newsgroups lately" but do
not bother to read the postings you reply to. ;-)

Let me repeat what you replied to that tells you quite clearly where to go:

Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite
you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

That help? ;-)

If not - there was also a place listed in the reply to ask more questions.
I will repeat that part now:

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing
to "

Hopefully that gets you where you need to go.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

sheana wrote:
I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out
the communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them
incredibly helpful. Thanks in advance.

SC Tom wrote:
I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the
last few months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin
discontinuing newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft
forums.
Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now;
however, the traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily
decreasing for the past several years while customers and
participants are increasingly finding solutions in the forums on
Microsoft properties and third party sites. This move will unify
the customer experience, centralize content, make it easier for
active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate
redundancies and make the content easier to find by customers and
search engines through improved indexing. Additionally, forums
offer a better user and spam management platform that will improve
customer satisfaction by encouraging a healthy discussion in a
clean community space. To this end, Microsoft will begin to
progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.
In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for
those users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to
participate in the newsgroups community, we have developed a
solution called the NNTP Bridge which allows a user to connect a
variety of supported NNTP readers to the forums they would like to
participate in and continue having the NTTP reader functionality. You can
find instructions on how to download and set up the NNTP
Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/
Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1,
2010 and October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in
a phased approach, starting with the least active newsgroups and
moving eventually to more active ones throughout the course of the
next six months.

Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup
is scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like
to invite you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are
finalized.
Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing
to "

sheana wrote:
I haven't been reading the newsgroups lately. but since I will have
to migrate to the forums, where are they? Thanks in advance.


You obviously not only "haven't been reading the newsgroups lately" but do
not bother to read the postings you reply to. ;-)

Let me repeat what you replied to that tells you quite clearly where to go:

Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite
you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

That help? ;-)

If not - there was also a place listed in the reply to ask more questions.
I will repeat that part now:

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing
to "

Hopefully that gets you where you need to go.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

I agree with OP, because I too have received incredible helpful and good
solutions whenever I posted my queries over the years. Then, I truly miss
all of those wonderful and selfless MS volutenterrs I've been reading for
many years.

My question is;
All those 'terrific,' 'expert' and 'wonderful' volunteers have been
migrating to all listed MS forums?

Thanks,


"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"sheana" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the last few
months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin discontinuing
newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft forums.

Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now; however, the
traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily decreasing for the
past several years while customers and participants are increasingly
finding
solutions in the forums on Microsoft properties and third party sites.
This
move will unify the customer experience, centralize content, make it
easier
for active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate redundancies
and
make the content easier to find by customers and search engines through
improved indexing. Additionally, forums offer a better user and spam
management platform that will improve customer satisfaction by encouraging
a
healthy discussion in a clean community space. To this end, Microsoft
will
begin to progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.

In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for those
users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to participate in the
newsgroups community, we have developed a solution called the NNTP Bridge
which allows a user to connect a variety of supported NNTP readers to the
forums they would like to participate in and continue having the NTTP
reader
functionality. You can find instructions on how to download and set up
the
NNTP Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1, 2010 and
October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in a phased
approach,
starting with the least active newsgroups and moving eventually to more
active ones throughout the course of the next six months.


Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite
you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
"

I agree with OP, because I too have received incredible helpful and good
solutions whenever I posted my queries over the years. Then, I truly miss
all of those wonderful and selfless MS volutenterrs I've been reading for
many years.

My question is;
All those 'terrific,' 'expert' and 'wonderful' volunteers have been
migrating to all listed MS forums?

Thanks,


"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"sheana" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I subscribe to a number of MS newsgroups, but, for example, when I
clicked on the newsgroup for word.general I got a message that that
newsgroup was not available from the MS server. Is MS phasing out the
communities/newsgroups? Let me know, because I find them incredibly
helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm truly surprised you haven't seen this on any newsgroup in the last few
months:

"What is Happening?
This message is to inform you that Microsoft will soon begin discontinuing
newsgroups and transitioning users to Microsoft forums.

Why?
As you may know, newsgroups have existed for many years now; however, the
traffic in the Microsoft newsgroups has been steadily decreasing for the
past several years while customers and participants are increasingly
finding
solutions in the forums on Microsoft properties and third party sites.
This
move will unify the customer experience, centralize content, make it
easier
for active contributors to retain their influence, mitigate redundancies
and
make the content easier to find by customers and search engines through
improved indexing. Additionally, forums offer a better user and spam
management platform that will improve customer satisfaction by encouraging
a
healthy discussion in a clean community space. To this end, Microsoft
will
begin to progressively shift available resources to the forums technology
and discontinue support for newsgroups.

In addition to offering a compelling online browser experience, for those
users who prefer to use an NNTP (newsgroup) reader to participate in the
newsgroups community, we have developed a solution called the NNTP Bridge
which allows a user to connect a variety of supported NNTP readers to the
forums they would like to participate in and continue having the NTTP
reader
functionality. You can find instructions on how to download and set up
the
NNTP Bridge he http://connect.microsoft.com/MicrosoftForums/

Which Newsgroups Are Affected by this Shutdown?
All public newsgroups will eventually be closed between June 1, 2010 and
October 1, 2010. Microsoft will be closing newsgroups in a phased
approach,
starting with the least active newsgroups and moving eventually to more
active ones throughout the course of the next six months.


Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
In an effort to enhance and improve your experience, this newsgroup is
scheduled for closure in the upcoming months and we would like to invite
you to participate at
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...rdware/threads
forum(s). An exact date will be posted in advance as plans are finalized.

Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...s/default.mspx

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
"