Care to share your thoughts on Exchange Communities?

[The_Exchange_Team]

We would like to gather some feedback on Exchange Cummunities to see how they are working for you. There are several questions that we have:

1. Which of the Exchange Community tools do you currently use? (Blogs, User groups, Exchange websites et al.)

2. Are you currently a member of an active Exchange User group?

3. What purpose(s) do you use the Exchange Communities for?

4. What would you like to see improved about Exchange Communities?

5. Are you attending Tech Ed 2005?
 
Please post your feedback as comments to this post. Thanks for your comments!!
 
- Dipti Sahu

[#2]

1. Which of the Exchange Community tools do you currently use? (Blogs, User groups, Exchange websites et al.) <br> <br>2. Are you currently a member of an active Exchange User group? <br> <br>3. What purpose(s) do you use the Exchange Communities for? <br> <br>4. What would you like to see improved about Exchange Communities? <br> <br>5. Are you attending Tech Ed 2005? <br>

[#3]

1. Which of the Exchange Community tools do you currently use? (Blogs, User groups, Exchange websites et al.)

I use blogs, newsgroups, and the websites.

2. Are you currently a member of an active Exchange User group?

No, but I contribute on a regular basis in the clustering newsgroups, including both exchange clustering newsgroups.

3. What purpose(s) do you use the Exchange Communities for?

I like to get breaking news and information and like to pass down my knowledge to others.

4. What would you like to see improved about Exchange Communities?

I would love to see more white papers addressed at the 300 and 400 levels regarding the inner workings of Exchange and the ESE.

5. Are you attending Tech Ed 2005?

Yes, I will be there.

[#4]

1. Which of the Exchange Community tools do you currently use? (Blogs, User groups, Exchange websites et al.)

I subscribe to this and several other blogs about Exchange. This is, for me, the best method of keeping in touch with what is going on. I also read several of the microsoft.public and (.de) newsgroups on a regular basis (in particular those for Exchange clustering)

2. Are you currently a member of an active Exchange User group?
I am a member of one but, to date, my experience is that it is a forum for problem questions and answers (which could be better answered in the microsoft.public newsgroups). In the past weeks, i have seen some improvements in terms of news of E12 (which has also been addressed in this blog) and discounts for events or subscriptions.

3. What purpose(s) do you use the Exchange Communities for?
Mostly in terms of gaining knowledge (esp. in terms of best practice). Again, I find RSS subscriptions and newsgroup discussions perfect for this.

4. What would you like to see improved about
Exchange Communities?
Ass Russ commented, more 300 and 400 level content is good. I understand that you are limited to what you can say about roadmap but this is always good to know and, so far, has been excellent on this site.

5. Are you attending Tech Ed 2005?
Nope. Am based in Europe! Ask again for TechNet and ITForum!

[#5]

Answers :

1 . blogs /Websites
2. No .rarely i contribute
3.Information
4. Solutions for Complex Enterprise scenorios . In depth Technical details of solutions for complex problems / solutions by PSS ( may be atleast after the 6 MO of case closed ? )
5 . Wish to be there .

[#6]

1. Blogs, User Groups and other Exchange-related sites.
2. Nope, but I'm a regular contributor to Microsoft newsgroups (mostly Exchange)and some other technical forums.
3. To get general information and news.
4. More technical information (advanced level).

[#7]

1. Blogs and User Groups
2. No
3. Newsgroups to answer questions and for diversion from my daily activities (I stop and answer some questions as I can)
4. I would like to see more participation and content direction from more Active PSS guys. Evan Dodds is great, but I would like to see 2 or 3 representatives from each discipline (CSI, Admin, and Connectors)
5. No.

[#8]

1. Exchange Discussions Mailing List (exchange@intm-dl.sparklist.com), blogs and MS Webcasts.
2. No, I am in the process of starting one in Southern Ohio.
3. Learning, Learning and troubleshooting those oddball Exchange errors.
4. More participation from Active MS Exchange team members and PSS.
5. Hell yes!

[#9]

1. Which of the Exchange Community tools do you currently use? (Blogs, User groups, Exchange websites et al.)

Blogs - Got quite a few hooked into my RSS client (just about all the Exchange DEV's as well as this blog).

User groups - Long time member of SYNK (got no idea what its called now...but I am still a member and readpost from time to time). On almost a daily basis I read through all the Exchange newsgroups (news.microsoft.com) and help where I can.

Exchnage websites - There are a few, msexchange.org is called by my RSS client on a regular basis.

2. Are you currently a member of an active Exchange User group?

Only ones that I have build through networking and through helping Microsoft at customer sites. Every now and then I go with TAM's and System Engineers to help a Microsoft customer understand what Exchange can do for them...Maybe I should look to work for MCS one day :-).


3. What purpose(s) do you use the Exchange Communities for?

While I am quite familiar with Exchange (5.0-2003) I am always looking to learn something new. I also really enjoy helping people to get the best out of Exchange.

4. What would you like to see improved about Exchange Communities?

-I think the newsgroup's web interface could use some work. I really don't know if its the network that I am on in the office, but out of a 5 day work week I can only get into the newsgroups via web interface maybe 1 day a week..if that.

-I think an active shared blog such as this is a good model for other Microsoft product teams.

5. Are you attending Tech Ed 2005?
Can I get fish tacos, some beer, and another TechEd backpack? If so..then yes.

[#10]

I read this blog and several newsgroups. Do not belong to a user group

[#11]

1. Blogs, some web sites, some newsgroups.
2. No.
3. Trying to get answers or learning new ways of doing things.
4. More participation from PSS.
5. Yes.

[#12]

1. Yes all of the above.
2. Yes.
3. To do my job, consult, advise.
4. More Evan Dodds and Paul Bowden.
5. Yes I am.

[#13]

1. All of the above.
2. Yes
3. Keeping pace with all things exchange and adding to my bag o tricks.
4. Just keep the great content coming.
5. Nope, wouldn't mind attending though.

[#14]

1. Blogs & Website

2. No but would like some info if you have it

3. Keeping up on Technical news & tips

4. More advanced level articles

5. No, I work for a small IT department and now that MS only has one Conference a year (no more MEC) we have to take turns going since we all can't be away at the same time. I hope Microsoft will rethink the demise of MEC and bring it back.

[#15]

1. Blogs (have a list of 5 or so I RSS) a couple different websites and the newsgroups

2. No

3. News, keep up to date on trends and troubleshooting techniques

4. More detailed topics (I like the "how stuff works" postings!)

5. Nope

[#16]

1. Blogs, Exchange website, NG's

2. Some light participation in NG's, blogs, forums, but not a local user group

3. Update skills, keep up on news and upcoming products, problem solving

4. I'll agree with other posters ... more participation from PSS and team members, higher level articles, more troubleshooting tips and guidelines

5. I'll see you in Orlando!