Excel 2010 Bible

Appendix C: Additional Excel Resources

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Note

As you know, the Internet is a dynamic entity that changes rapidly. Web sites are often reorganized, so a particu-

lar URL listed in this appendix may not be available when you try to access it. n

Internet Newsgroups

Usenet is an Internet service that provides access to several thousand special interest groups that enable you

to communicate with people who share common interests. A newsgroup works like a public bulletin board.

You can post a message or questions, and (usually) others reply to your message.

Thousands of newsgroups cover virtually every topic you can think of (and many that you haven’t thought

of). Typically, questions posed on a newsgroup are answered within 24 hours — assuming, of course, that

you ask the questions in a manner that makes others want to reply.

Accessing newsgroups by using a newsreader

You can use newsreader software to access the Usenet newsgroups. Many such programs are available, but

you probably already have one installed: Microsoft Outlook Express, which is installed with Internet

Explorer.

Microsoft maintains an extensive list of newsgroups, including quite a few devoted to Excel. If your Internet

service provider (ISP) doesn’t carry the Microsoft newsgroups, you can access them directly from the

Microsoft’s news server. (In fact, that’s the preferred method.) You need to configure your newsreader soft-

ware (not your Web browser) to access Microsoft’s news server at this address:

msnews.microsoft.com

Accessing newsgroups by using a Web browser

As an alternative to using newsreader software, you can read and post to the Microsoft newsgroups directly

from your Web browser. This option is often significantly slower than using standard newsgroup software

and is best suited for situations in which newsgroup access is prohibited by network policies.

l Access thousands of newsgroups at Google Groups. The URL is

http://groups.google.com

l (^) Access the Microsoft newsgroups (including Excel newsgroups) from this URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx
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