Newsgroups    

Newsgroups are, I find, the most useful parts of the web when you need to know something in a hurry or want to meet people with the same interests as yourself. Servers, such as Microsoft, deflect a lot of enquiries about their products by providing newsgroups that cover every available area of their products. They reward computer smart people, who are willing to monitor these newsgroups and offer solutions to people's problems, with the title of Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals. They don't get paid but - as most of them are beta testers - they get to see what Microsoft has in store for us lesserlights much sooner.

So, if you've got a computer problem or just need some answers on any topic you can think of, post a message on the appropriate newsgroup. You'll get answers very fast. Be sure to read all the existing questions and answers before you post your particular problem. You may find someone else has already received an answer to the same problem as yours.

Contact your ISP and they will tell you how to access their newsgroups through your Outlook Express or newsgroup programme.

Microsoft have hundreds of newsgroups. Their main server is msnews.microsoft.com    and this server has lots of groups. You can find information on every aspect of Internet Explorer, Windows 98, Frontpage 98, Outllook 98, Office 97 etc. etc. Just add the Microsoft server to your news programme and download the list of groups.

Posting To A Newsgroup

There's a trick to posting to a newsgroup - make sure your header lets the readers know the main problem. It's no good writing "Help" in the subject as I've seen many do. It doesn't give anyone a clue what you want. If your browser keeps freezing when you access a particular site then you write Browser freezes in fake.com That way, if it's happening to someone else they'll see and reply or the Microsoft's MVP's will know how to help without having to open you message to find out what the problem is.