How to Participate in the Windows XP Community
Published: June 3, 2002
Whether you're a highly skilled Windows expert, or an enthusiastic new user of Windows XP, you can find peers online in the Expert Zone community. Other Windows XP users can help you learn new computing skills, fix problems, and expand your expertise. Use this guide to participate online and learn in the Expert Zone community.
Windows XP Public Newsgroups
Newsgroups are peer-to-peer forums in which you can find other Windows XP users. You can lurk anonymously and read what others write. But if you take part, ask questions, and share your experiences, you'll contribute to a vibrant online community. You can use the Expert Zone's Web-based newsreader, or use an NNTP newsreader such as Outlook Express in Windows XP. Microsoft's top 18 Windows XP newsgroups are listed in the Expert Zone. To find more, visit the Microsoft Communities Web site. See also: Frequently Asked Questions, Column: The Best Things in Life are Free,Terms of Use, Rules of Conduct.
User Groups
User groups are local clubs in which people meet face-to-face to share their common interest in computing. Many groups are free and meet monthly or bi-monthly. To find a Windows XP-related User Group near you, search on Windows XP, and using general terms such as computer, or PC.
Attend an Event
Hundreds of Microsoft events occur monthly throughout the United States, including many for Windows XP enthusiasts. You can meet your peers and network.
Related Communities
Dozens of independent Windows XP-related newsgroups are thriving on the Web. Often called forums or bulletin boards to distinguish them from Usenet newsgroups, such as those on Expert Zone. These are a great place to learn about using Windows XP in a specific situation. For example, if you use Windows XP on a computer from Dell, check out the Dell|Talk Forum. If you know a useful Windows XP-related related community, submit it to the Related Communities page.
Live Online Chats
A chat is a written, online conversation that takes place when all participants are online at the same time. Microsoft hosts regularly scheduled chats with developers and other technical experts, as well as company executives. You can find upcoming Windows XP-related chats and transcripts of past chats on the Expert Zone. To participate, you need the chat client software and you must be online when the chat occurs. See also: Using Microsoft Chat.
Interactive WebCasts
Microsoft Product Support WebCasts are regularly offered free online. The live WebCasts are followed by online discussion in which you can ask questions of Microsoft experts. Notices of upcoming WebCasts related to Windows XP are listed on the Expert Zone. You use Windows Media Player to view the sessions. If you miss a live WebCast, you can view an on-demand recording of it.
Find Windows XP Experts
The Expert Zone introduces you to the columnists, top newsgroup contibutors, and experts who've achieved the elite Windows XP Most Valuable Professional (MVP) signature. Information about the experts helps you learn who is likely to have the best answers about a particular technology or topic.
Keep Track of What's Hot
Visit the Expert Zone every day to learn new tips for using Windows XP. Also keep track when Expert Zone links to important and exciting new technical information for Windows XP users, new downloads, security patches, and articles about how to solve common problems. The Expert Zone features weekly columns, and weekly question/answer sessions with the experts. You can rate the articles, and see how others rate them.
Get the Windows XP Newsletters
Two newsletters, Exploring Windows XP and Windows Platform News are available via e-mail. They arrive bi-weekly packed with information about Windows XP.
Contact Us
You can send suggestions or questions to the editors and producers of the Expert Zone, or to the Microsoft product teams by clicking Contact Us, at the bottom of any Expert Zone page.
