Forums for Windows Admins?

Work-w/-MCSEs asks: "I work with Microsoft products for a living, as well as for fun. I've been lurking in Slashdot discussions for a while now. I find a lot of the stories interesting, but it is obviously geared more toward Unix people. Stories about MS products are often full of flames. I can see the reasons why Microsoft users aren't accepted as 'true geeks'. I acknowledge that Unix people are more technical (by necessity since they often compile their own software), and I'm not asking or expecting the attitudes here to change. However, I do wish I could find a similar forum for us to talk about our chosen operating system, applications, viruses, and other issues. Usenet is just too full of spam to be useful. Where is a Windows user to go for good discussion?"

Hmm

[Medgur]

I've been using this one for years: http://www.experts-exchange.com

It's mostly help forums, but I haven't really felt a strong desire to get in touch with people on the grounds of a single software paradigm.

a couple places to start...

[tvadakia]

http://bink.nu/

http://www.only4gurus.com/v2/index.asp

Hope that helps.

Mailing Lists

[shyster]

The problem with web forums is that, by and large, they get inundated with Windows users looking for help. USENET, as you mentioned, is a haven to spam, plus there's multiple groups and NNTP servers to track.

Microsoft does have a news server which I use occassionally, both on the Web [microsoft.com] and through NNTP [microsoft.com]. There's alot of granularity in the groups, which is nice when I'm, say, working on a scripting problem, I can hit the .NET Scripting group and get good responses. There's also multiple languages available, perhaps useful for non-English speakers. But, unless if you're looking for more general discussions like Slashdot has, I don't think you'll find it there.

For general sysadmin and related discussion, problem solving, tips, etc., I've found mailing lists are much more manageable and informative. A real good provider is Sunbelt Software [sunbelt-software.com]. The NTSysAdmin and Exchange lists are the most popular and general (and the only ones I'm a member of), but there's also ones dedicated to Windows security, Active Directory, etc. Be aware, though, that there's a LOT of traffic on some of these lists. Mine go into a Public Folder, but you can also get the digest if you prefer. One other one that I have used and recommend is the WinNT-List [lsoft.com]. I'm not on it currently, but mainly because of time restraints. Then again...I hardly check the Sunbelt lists anymore either....

And, of course, I've yet to find a similar forum to replace Slashdot's unique blend of tech, news, and politics...that's why I'm still here.

Microsoft newsgroups

[dedazo]

news://msnews.microsoft.com/

Look for the microsoft.public.windows* hierarchy. Keep in mind many of these are not very active and some of them (for some reason) are pretty much abandoned because they're duplicated. But use Google to see which ones are more active [google.com].

The servers have very little spam and as most non-technoreligious deals they're mostly technical and to the point, though you do see the occasional flame war.

Plus, it's Usenet so just use whatever NNTP reader you like and post away.

Neowin

[polyp2000]

Its known for its Windows bias, but still has the other interesting geek related articles common to slashdot.To some of my geeky windows buddys , this is their slashdot.
I personally find the windows bias rather annoying but then Im a linux guy!

Oh, and the link http://www.neowin.net/

NTBugtraq

[molo]

When I used to work with Windows, I found Russ Cooper's NTBugtraq mailing list to be an invaluable resource.

More info at http://www.ntbugtraq.com/ [ntbugtraq.com]

-molo

Not anymore, man

[tres]

You mean Expert bait-'n-switch, don't you?

I feel sorry for all the schmoes who put their time and energy into giving Experts Exchange their hard-earned knowledge.

I searched the other day on an issue with Exchange server; when I did a Google search for the relevant information I was pointed to Experts Exchange. The problem was, the page was no longer available--unless I paid for a subscription.

I had to read the google archive to get the info.

Experts Exchange is the epitome of what defines open vs. closed source products and knowledge. (And as much as I love the BSD's) Experts Exchange shows exactly what kind of protection the GPL provides us, as the valuable assets we are--whether it's our knowledge of building products, or building the documentation they require.

Re:Best Windows Discussions...

[linzeal]

Try MSDN newsgroups [microsoft.com], when I was admining some SQL/2000 Advance Server boxes that place came in handy.

Re:Usenet

[scott_davey]

I also find Google's web and usenet search invaluable to my MS solution searching.

Those not-so-helpful error messages like 'Application error C05482375' you find in the Event Log are great when pumped into Google. Good signal-to-noise ratio with searches like 'C05482375' :-)

And be helpful to others and reply to posts, even if they are two years old. Chances are there's 200 other sysadmins with your problem, too.

No, You my new friend are incorrect

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

Just pointing out.that you can do exactly that with win xp. What don't believe me? ok, take a look at This [uksecurityonline.com]