Discussion:
Update - Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Community
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ED
2010-05-08 20:32:45 UTC
Permalink
[with Sarcasm] It's official, this is the least popular newsgroup. They're
shutting us down the very first day!
ED



<***@microsoft.com> wrote in message news:%***@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
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 here: 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.

When will this Happen?
Effective June 1, 2010 this newsgroup will be closed.

Where Should I go with the Closure of this Newsgroup?
Microsoft has a large selection of forums, many of which cover either the
same or closely related technologies to the ones found in the newsgroups.
The forums have seen amazing growth and are an excellent place to continue
the discussion. We recommend that you start with
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/visualfoxprogeneral/threads

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

Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
***@microsoft.com
Gene Wirchenko
2010-05-10 02:28:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by ED
[with Sarcasm] It's official, this is the least popular newsgroup. They're
shutting us down the very first day!
ED
What is Happening?
[snipped evil plans]
Post by ED
Should you want to visit the other Microsoft Forums, please go to
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/forums/default.mspx
I do not.
Post by ED
Who Should I Contact with any Questions?
Send any questions about the process, recommended forums and timing to
I posted the following to them. I do not expect it to make a
difference, but who knows? Maybe, the horse will sing.

Dear _____:

I think that the decision to shut down newsgroups is a very bad
idea. I have used newsgroups for years. I have something that works.
There is good community. It is easy for another person to find
newsgroups of interest once that person knows about USENET. Shutting
down something that works is not a good idea.

I must admit that I am not surprised that Microsoft is doing such
a thing. I long ago gave up on expecting anything resembling decent
customer service from Microsoft. You (the company) have taught me
very well that you (the company) are selfish and not to be trusted.

At one time, I was very pro-Microsoft, but Microsoft has
frittered away my support. It was not one mistake but a series of
actions that show that Microsoft just does not seem to care.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

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