For up-to-date information and support, there are a number of areas where you can look online. These areas include the following:
Microsoft has a number of forums that they facilitate on CompuServe. This provides an area where direct interaction with members of Microsoft can occur. Additionally, most of the forums are frequented by others who are experts on the different Microsoft
products. Although there are no additional fees for joining most of the forums, regular CompuServe connect charges apply. GO MICROSOFT will get you started. Table B.1 presents a list of forums.
Location |
Forum |
Description |
|
GO DEVCAST |
DevCast |
DevCast information. DevCasts are quarterly demonstrations by Microsoft with technical information aimed at developers. |
|
GO FOXFORUM |
Fox Software |
Information on Microsoft's Visual Fox and other Fox database products. |
|
GO MDKB |
Developer |
Technical articles about Knowledge Base Microsoft products, information on bugs and fixes, and answers to frequently asked questions. |
|
GO MSACCESS |
Microsoft Access |
Information on Microsoft Access. |
|
GO MSBASIC |
Basic Languages |
Information on Microsoft's Basic Languages family of products, including Visual Basic. |
|
GO MSDNLIB |
Developer Network Forum |
Technical articles and sample code. |
|
GO MSDS |
Developer Forums |
Interactive dialog with a worldwide community of Microsoft customers, facilitated by Microsoft. |
|
GO MSL |
Software Library |
Binary files, sample code, device drivers, patches, technical specifications, and utilities. |
|
GO MSLANG |
C and Other Languages |
Information on Microsoft C, Visual C++, Assembler, and other Microsoft languages and utilities. |
|
GO MSMFC |
MFC Library |
Information on the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library. |
|
GO MSNETWORKS |
Client Server Computing |
Information on Microsoft networking systems. |
|
GO MSSQL |
MS SQL Server |
Information for Microsoft SQL Server. |
|
GO MSTECHED |
Tech*Ed |
Tech*Ed conference information. Microsoft Tech*Ed is a conference aimed at integrators, developers, support people, and technical managers. Tech*Ed conferences generally focus on Microsoft products. |
|
GO MSWIN |
MS Windows |
Information on Microsoft Windows. |
|
GO MSWIN32 |
Win32 SDK |
Exchanges information on the Microsoft Windows NT Win32 SDK, Windows NT DDK, and Win32 API issues on other platforms. |
|
GO MSWRKGRP |
MS Workgroups |
Information on Microsoft's workgroup applications and systems. This includes MAPI. |
|
GO PLUGPLAY |
Plug and Play |
Information on Plug and Play hardware. |
|
GO PROGMSA |
MS Programming Apps |
Information on Microsoft applications programming languages and tools. This includes the Microsoft Excel SDK. |
|
GO WINEXT |
Windows Extensions |
Information on extensions to Microsoft Windows. This includes TAPI, WOSA/XRT, WOSA/XFS, Windows for Workgroups SDK, Far East SDK, Arabic/Hebrew SDK, Pen SDK, and ODBC. |
|
GO WINMM |
Windows |
Information on Windows multimedia Multimedia platforms, including Video for Windows, Viewer, and the Microsoft Sound System. |
|
GO WINNT |
MS Windows NT |
Information for Microsoft Windows NT. |
|
GO WINOBJ |
Windows Objects |
Information on Microsoft Windows Objects, Object Linking and Embedding (OLE). |
|
GO WINSDK |
Windows SDK |
Product support and information for the Microsoft Windows SDK and DDK. |
The Usenet newsgroups are available for information on specific topics. Unlike CompuServe, there are not necessarily Microsoft personnel monitoring these areas. Table B.2 lists many of the newsgroups available.
Address |
Description |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.announce |
A moderated newsgroup that provides announcements and news about Windows-based applications, drivers, events, and so on. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.tools |
Discussion about Windows-based development tools. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.win32 |
Discussion about developing for the Win32 API. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.misc |
Discussion on the Windows-based programming and development issues that don't fit into the other newsgroups. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.apps |
Discussion about applications for the different versions of Windows, including NT. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.setup |
Discussions on Windows setup and configuration. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.nt.setup |
Discussion on Windows NT setup and configuration. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.misc |
Discussion on Windows issues that don't fit into the other newsgroup areas. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.nt.misc |
Discussion on Windows NT issues that are not discussed in other news groups. |
|
comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy |
Discussion for comparisons and arguments about the Windows operating systems verses other operating systems. |
|
comp.binaries.ms-windows |
Discussion and distribution of Window operating system binary files. These files include shareware, drivers, and more. |
Microsofts FTP server, FTP.Microsoft.COM (198.105.232.1), enables anonymous FTP login. The server provides the Microsoft Driver Library and the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Table B.3 contains aliases at Microsoft that are accessible via Internet e-mail.
Address |
Description |
Notes |
|
3D DDK issues |
Display hardware vendors wanting information on 3D DDI (Device Driver Interface). | |
|
DCI issues |
Display hardware vendors wanting information on the Microsoft and Intel DCI specification. | |
|
Internationalization issues |
Windows ISV issues on Microsoft internationalization system strategy. | |
|
IHV issues |
Independent hardware vendor issues on Microsoft overall systems strategy. | |
|
MAPI issues |
Windows ISV issues on MAPI issues. | |
|
Multimedia issues |
Windows-based multimedia developer issues. | |
|
Microsoft Developer Network |
Nontechnical communications with the Microsoft Developer Network group. | |
|
Windows NT |
Product suggestions product suggestions on the features and functionality of Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server. | |
|
Plug and Play |
Independent hardware announcement list vendors wanting to be placed on a mailing list for updates to the Plug and Play specifications. | |
|
TAPI issues |
Windows ISV issues on TAPI issues. |
Microsofts bulletin board system is called the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL). This BBS contains sample programs, device drivers, patches, software updates, and programming aids. It is available via modem by calling (206) 936-6735.