Give Back to IT Community (Help)

Guys,

I want to start giving back to the IT Community, and start helping
out. I would appreciate if you guys could answer some of the below
questions.

1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
Via Web? List which do you use.

2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
& blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
or blogs via a program or nntp)

3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
Software or Via Web? List which do you use.

4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?

5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you dont, how
does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?

6. Out of curiosity, what email provider do you use, and what program
do you use to read your emails?

7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?

8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
back and networking? Any Ideas?

I appreciate you taking your time to respond to my posts, and I plan
to begin giving back to the IT community, and hope we can become
friends.

- Julio (DJ)

CertGuard
Sun Dec 17 21:38:27 CST 2006



"Julio C. Delgado Jr. (DJ)" <juliodj@respondtogroup.com> wrote in message
news:a0rbo29h69dk0vh1cruohqjge3jsobtaoh@4ax.com...
> Guys,
>
> I want to start giving back to the IT Community, and start helping
> out. I would appreciate if you guys could answer some of the below
> questions.
>
Good to see that someone does. Most of the people that come in here expect
us to have all the answers to all of their questions, then when we can't (or
won't) answer them, they get p!ssed off because they figure the world owes
them. Anyways, help is always useful.


> 1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
> Via Web? List which do you use.
>
There are a few programs out there. As I can see that you've already jumped
in and found yourself the trial version of Forte Agent, you've already made
the first step. Other readers include Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail
Desktop, X-News, and others.


> 2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
> & blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
> or blogs via a program or nntp)
>
That all depends on what you like to do on your lunch break. There are
newsgroups about basket weaving if that floats your boat. But if you want to
give back to the IT Community, your best bet would be to find the group(s)
you most like to frequent.


> 3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
> Software or Via Web? List which do you use.
>
I'll let someone else answer that, I don't blog and I don't read blogs.


> 4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
> too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?
>
It's all a matter of knowing what you write and remembering it. No other way
to describe that. There are ways to 'flag' a message, but if you have every
message you respond to flagged, then you'll probably just end up getting
confused anyways.


> 5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
> how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you don't, how
> does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?
>
If you look at the properties of the emails you will be able to make an
educated guess at this. But to answer your question, some do, some don't. As
for the spam, well, that all depends on how much the individual cares about
spam.


> 6. Out of curiosity, what email provider do you use, and what program
> do you use to read your emails?
>
That all depends on your taste and your email provider. Some providers allow
you POP3, SMTP, and web access, while other allow some but not all of those.
We usually base our decisions on our experiences, try something, if you
don't like it, move on.


> 7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
> the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?
>
Credit? So you're doing this for you, and not the people that have helped
you get to this point? It's all in your heart man, as long as YOU know
you're helping, then there's your 'credit'.

FYI, MVP is something that you will be invited into. I'm not sure of the
exact requirements, but if you want to be an MVP, then you'll probably want
to talk to an MVP about it.


> 8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
> back and networking? Any Ideas?
>
http://www.CertGuard.com
(Forum Link Below)

We're a new community and can always use a little help here and there.


> I appreciate you taking your time to respond to my posts, and I plan
> to begin giving back to the IT community, and hope we can become
> friends.
>
> - Julio (DJ)

You're welcome.


--
CertGuard
You Think you know IT?!
www.CertGuard.com/Forums/

PajaP
Mon Dec 18 00:31:26 CST 2006

On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 20:17:08 -0500, "Julio C. Delgado Jr. (DJ)"
<juliodj@respondtogroup.com> wrote:

>Guys,
>
>I want to start giving back to the IT Community, and start helping
>out. I would appreciate if you guys could answer some of the below
>questions.

Bless you. Why not I have 5 minutes to spare.

>1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
>Via Web? List which do you use.

Look at the message headers.

>2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
>& blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
>or blogs via a program or nntp)

Look at the message headers.

>3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
>Software or Via Web? List which do you use.

That is too complicated a question for me to answer. Maybe I am a bit
thick but I have no idea what you are on about.

>4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
>too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?

Mark it watched. Press F1.

>5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
>how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you dont, how
>does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?

Look at the message headers. Same way as always. Via the group.

>6. Out of curiosity, what email provider do you use, and what program
>do you use to read your emails?

Run my own servers. Thunderbird and Squirrelmail.

>7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
>the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?

See below. I will then sing your praises from the rooftops.

>8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
>back and networking? Any Ideas?

Send me money.

>I appreciate you taking your time to respond to my posts, and I plan
>to begin giving back to the IT community, and hope we can become
>friends.

Ahhh, kissy, kissy ;)

--
Thx.
PajaP

Thor
Mon Dec 18 03:02:49 CST 2006

"Julio C. Delgado Jr. (DJ)" <juliodj@respondtogroup.com> wrote in message
news:a0rbo29h69dk0vh1cruohqjge3jsobtaoh@4ax.com...
> Guys,
>
> I want to start giving back to the IT Community, and start helping
> out. I would appreciate if you guys could answer some of the below
> questions.
>
> 1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
> Via Web? List which do you use.
>
> 2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
> & blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
> or blogs via a program or nntp)
>
> 3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
> Software or Via Web? List which do you use.
>
> 4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
> too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?
>
> 5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
> how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you dont, how
> does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?
>
> 6. Out of curiosity, what email provider do you use, and what program
> do you use to read your emails?
>
> 7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
> the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?
>
> 8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
> back and networking? Any Ideas?
>
> I appreciate you taking your time to respond to my posts, and I plan
> to begin giving back to the IT community, and hope we can become
> friends.
>
> - Julio (DJ)

Read previous posts and make your own way. I like google reader and
blogspot, but I've only put half an hour research into it, so you can find
out your self. Good luck on your trails on the MVP path (which I guess is
why you ask your questions)
53

Cerebrus
Mon Dec 18 07:04:35 CST 2006

These are good questions... one's that I myself was very curious about,
when I came across the usenet a year ago. Certguard has already
answered them very well, but I'll see what I can add...

Julio C. Delgado Jr. (DJ) wrote:

> 1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
> Via Web? List which do you use.

I browse via Google groups(GG). Alternatively I also use Outlook
express, Mozilla Thunderbird and WLMD. (Yes, it is purposely named to
sound like WMD)

> 2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
> & blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
> or blogs via a program or nntp)

GG ?

> 3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
> Software or Via Web? List which do you use.

Nope, can't answer that. I only read blogs by people who hate blogs.
For instance <http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=banish>

> 4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
> too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?

Use Watches if you're using a Newsreader client. GG shows you a "Topics
I've posted to with new activity" page when logging in.

> 5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
> how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you dont, how
> does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?

Most experienced poasters will use a fake email addy, that is also a
personality statement. This can be done only if you're using a
Newsreader client. If you're using GG, you will need to have a valid
email address. I personally use an email account, that is exclusively
for this, so all I need to do is login every fortnight or so, and
delete the ton or so of spam that's accumulated.


> 7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
> the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?

Well, Microsoft employees and MVP's do monitor most microsoft groups
according to their respective areas of expertise. If they find that you
have a regular track record of giving helpful replies, they nominate
you amongst themselves. But to be so visible, you would need to post to
a lot of groups, and demonstrate sound technical knowledge along with
considerable patience. But I think that exclusively posting to these
groups will not help you enough. You might have to start a
Blog/website, which caters to FAQ's you see on the groups.

> 8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
> back and networking? Any Ideas?
Omigosh, he asked me for ideas... ok, here you go:
Participate in orgies organized by high ranking people in the IT
community ? Invite all the daemons you can find to your birthday party,
perhaps ?

Kline
Mon Dec 18 13:40:32 CST 2006

>1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
>Via Web? List which do you use.

I use my eyes.

>2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
>& blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
>or blogs via a program or nntp)

I would quite and work for company which is not paranoid.

>3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
>Software or Via Web? List which do you use.

None, I have my own life.

>4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
>too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?

I don't.

>5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
>how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you dont, how
>does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?

Through their lawyer.

>6. Out of curiosity, what email provider do you use, and what program
>do you use to read your emails?

Anything that's non microsoft.

>7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
>the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?

Don't bother, unless you get paid.

>8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
>back and networking? Any Ideas?

wear a short skirt and get breast implants.

>I appreciate you taking your time to respond to my posts, and I plan
>to begin giving back to the IT community, and hope we can become
>friends.

Sorry, I'm not gay.

Kline Sphere (Chalk) MCNGP #3

Montreal
Mon Dec 18 17:27:15 CST 2006

> Sorry, I'm not gay.

Are you sorry that you are not gay, or are you sorry for not being gay? Are
you SURE that you're not gay? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with
it, but out of the blue and completely out of context you said it so I
wonder if thou dost protest too much?

M

--
Montreal MCT
MCT, MCSA, MCDST, MCP
President, Montreal IT Professionals Community (www.mitpro.ca)
Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - Customer Experience
Microsoft Small Business Specialist
Visit my blog at:
http://dnn.mitpro.ca/mitpro/Blogs/tabid/59/BlogID/2/Default.aspx

Kline
Tue Dec 19 15:09:03 CST 2006

>> Sorry, I'm not gay.
>
>Are you sorry that you are not gay, or are you sorry for not being gay? Are
>you SURE that you're not gay? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with
>it, but out of the blue and completely out of context you said it so I
>wonder if thou dost protest too much?
>
>M

TIMMMMAAAAA

Kline Sphere (Chalk) MCNGP #3

Julio
Thu Dec 21 15:53:11 CST 2006

Guys,

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of your for your
support/advice, and for sharing your personal experience. You guys
will begin to see me around very much, as I will begin helping out the
IT Community in whatever I can. After doing some research, and reading
all of your advise, read my final results below for each of my
previously posted questions.

Thanks,

Julio (DJ)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1. How do you guys read your newsgroup subscriptions? Software or
> Via Web? List which do you use.

I am using Google Groups Reader Beta (GG) to read/post newsgroup
messages. Keep in mind GG doesnt hide your email address, and your
forced to use a valid google mail account. Although, Google Help
states the last few characters of your email are being masked, this
only works for other users using Google. Other Newsreaders, will show
full email. Spam can become an issue, although currently, Google has
done great at taking care of SPAM for me, thus far.

I also used Windows Live Mail Desktop (WLMD), which I found it to be
good, but ran into 2 main drawbacks. Everything lies in the
Application only, meaning there is no web interface, and if you install
WLMD on another computer, none of your settings will come with it. The
other issue is be it that I use read/post to newsgroups during
lunch/break at work, I cant access newsgroups via NNTP (Port 119),
since its blocked by our proxy servers.

> 2. Which web portals do you recommend to use to read/respond to posts
> & blogs during lunch/break at work? (At work I cant access newsgroups
> or blogs via a program or nntp)

I am using GG from work, and WLMD from home for reading/posting
newsgroup messages.

> 3. What program do you guys use for managing your blog subscriptions?
> Software or Via Web? List which do you use.

I've always used Bloglines for reading blogs, but I am currently
entertaining the idea of moving to Google Reader for blogs.

> 4. How do you keep track of all the messages you've posted or replied
> too, this way you can follow-up on it, in case someone responds?

I enable watch on messages I post in newsgroups using WLMD at home.
When at work, I use GG and it keeps tracks of messages I have posted.

> 5. Do you guys provide your email address in your posts? If you do,
> how do you handle protecting yourself from spam? If you dont, how
> does anyone ever get a hold of you, if needed?

I created a new email address (Google Mail) for the purpose of posting
newsgroup messages, and in the near future the blog I will be creating.
Google is taking care of the SPAM very well. In order to not track
emails on various accounts, I am forwarding all my other email address
to this account, and then using filters to tag the mail as Personal, or
what not.

> 6. Out of curiosity, what email provider do you use, and what program
> do you use to read your emails?

Currently, I am primarily using Google Mail (Clients: Web & WLMD), and
its working great. At work, I am using Exchange 2003 (Client: Outlook
2003). In the near future, I will be testing out the trial versions of
Office 2007 & Exchange 2007 at home.

> 7. What do I need to do to make sure I get credit for giving back to
> the community, this way I can work my way up to an MVP?

I was just curious about this, since I had some friends that were
MVP's. Nonetheless, I am not going to concentrate on this, but rather
in my spare time just help as many people as possible, just as I've
been helped in the past, and will continue to need help in future
issues.

> 8. How else can I become part of the IT community and start giving
> back and networking? Any Ideas?

I am going to be attending more often the VMware User Group & Cisco
User Group in Miami, FL, and take on a more acitve role. I am also
looking at becoming a member of Comptia.

Newsgroups:
1. Google Groups Beta (GG) -> http://groups-beta.google.com/
2. Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta ->
http://ideas.live.com/programpage.aspx?versionid=6ac2bed2-b5a4-4a0a-a897-e36dd191a9f4

Blogs:
1. Google Reader -> http://www.google.com/reader/
2. Bloglines -> http://www.bloglines.com

Email:
1. Google Mail -> http://gmail.google.com

Memberships:
1. Comptia Professional Membership -> http://itpro.comptia.org/