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Last Modification: September 13, 2001 |
Contents of this FAQ
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What is the proper Netiquette when asking questions in the Newsgroups?
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What's the most appropriate place to ask X question?
What is the proper Netiquette when asking questions in the
Newsgroups?
There are a some of things to keep in mind:
- Be polite, otherwise you're more likely to get flamed than an answer to
your question.
- Put a useful, descriptive subject to your posts. Many people won't read
messages with subjects like "Help!!!".
- Don't cross post to all newsgroups you see, it's not polite, instead, look
for the most suitable group for your question. You'll find descriptions of
all vc.* and win32.programmer.* groups in the next question.
- Don't make posts longer than strictly necessary. If you're posting code
snippets, don't post the whole thing, only the relevant parts. Also, don't
post big attachments to non-binary newsgroups.
- Include a good description about the problem you are having, along with
what you've already tried if applicable, and be as precise as possible. It
will help people get a better view of your problem and help them make better
suggestions. For example, instead of simply saying "It doesn't
work", mention what's really happening (crash, hangs) and what errors
you are getting, if any.
Also, William Whipple's Netiquette FAQ does a great job on explaining the proper way
to behave online. You'll find this document on his page, and he posts it
regularly on the microsoft.public.netiquette newsgroup.
What's the most appropriate place to ask X question?
Here's a brief description of each newsgroup
in the 4 hierarchies related to VisualC++ and Windows development in the Microsoft newsgroups:
Visual C++ Newsgroups:
- microsoft.public.vc.3rdparty:
Reserved for issues about interfacing with third party libraries/products.
- microsoft.public.vc.activex.templatelib:Go
here to discuss issues on ATL.
- microsoft.public.vc.database:
General topics on database connectivity with VC++, including ODBC ADO, DAO, MFC
database classes, connecting to third party database tools, etc.
- microsoft.public.vc.debugger:
Questions regarding the integrated debugger and debugging techniques.
- microsoft.public.vc.etk:
Windows CE Embedded Toolkit Issues.
- microsoft.public.vc.events:
Post notifications/invitations to VC++ related events here.
- microsoft.public.vc.ide_general:
Ask here questions involving VC's Integrated Development Environment, like configuring the editor and writing
macros.
- microsoft.public.vc.language:
Topics on C/C++ language features, like templates, namespaces, standard
interpretation and compiler bugs.
- microsoft.public.vc.language.macintosh:
Same as above, but for the VC Macintosh crosscompiler.
- microsoft.public.vc.mfc:
Discussion of general MFC topics, excluding doc/view architecture, using ole with MFC and
database topics, as these have their own newsgroups. Also, avoid asking
questions that are more related to Windows SDK issues, an put those on the
win32.programmer.* hierarchy.
- microsoft.public.vc.mfc.macintosh:
Same as above, but for the VC Macintosh crosscompiler.
- microsoft.public.vc.mfc.docview:
MFC Document/View Architecture issues.
- microsoft.public.vc.mfcole:
Reserved for topics on using/implementing OLE on MFC apps.
- microsoft.public.vc.online_help:
Discuss issues with VC++ online help files here.
- microsoft.public.vc.project_mgt:
Discuss issues with VC++ Project Management features (workspaces/multiple
project handling and the like).
- microsoft.public.vc.res_editing
VC++ integrated resource editor issues, as well as general .rc format issues.
- microsoft.public.vc.source_editing
VC++ integrated source code editor issues.
- microsoft.public.vc.stl:
Issues regarding VC++ implementation of the C++ Standard Template Library.
- microsoft.public.vc.utilities:
Issues regarding ms utilities that come with VC++, like Spy++ and WinDiff.
- microsoft.public.vc.yellowpages:
Reserved for Third Party Companies to announce new products.
Visual Studio Newsgroups:
Win32 Newsgroups:
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.3rdparty:
Reserved for issues about interfacing with third party libraries/products.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.directx:
All things DirectX related.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.gdi:
issues on using the GDI apis, like DC's, brushes and all that.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.international:
Internationalization issues.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.kernel:
Low- and, system-level stuff, including driver development, services,
processes, memory, etc.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.messaging:
Messaging api stuff, like MAPI.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.mmedia:
Multimedia programming, like using the MCI api.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.networks:
All network-related things, like using the Net*() apis and winsock.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.ole:
All OLE related questions, like automation.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.pen:
Issues regarding Pen-Windows.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.tapi:
Issues on the Telephony API (TAPI).
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.tools:
Reserved for Win32 tools, like those that come with the Platform SDK.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.ui:
User Interface issues, including design, common controls, window's controls,
etc.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wince:
Windows CE specific programming topics.
- microsoft.public.win32.programmer.yellowpages:
Reserved for Third Party Companies to announce new products.
Platform SDK Newsgroups: