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| '''] Groups''' (previously known as MSN Communities) is a site created by ]. It allows you to create 'groups' and join them too. In order to create or join a group you need to be a registered member of the .NET service, used by a variety of MSN services. People already using ] may use their sign-in name for MSN Groups as well. With MSN Groups you can interact with people from all over the world and find other people who have similar interests to you. | |||
| '''] Groups''' (previously known as MSN Communities) is a community site created by ] in ]. People are allowed to create and join groups if they are a member of the ]. All MSN Groups are viewable by anyone. | |||
| ==Membership features== | |||
| ==Features== | |||
| If a person is joined to an MSN Group they can contribute to certain areas. Some areas may only be accessible to ]s. | |||
| * Create custom web pages. | |||
| * Create message boards. | |||
| * Create documents folders. | |||
| * Create photo albums. | |||
| * Create a calendar (using MSN Hotmail's Calendar service). | |||
| * Create lists. | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | A custom web page gives the user freedom to use the ] interface or ]. MSN limits some HTML code from being used and ] cannot be put onto any page due to security concerns. In the WYSIWYG interface there are buttons for background colours, text colours, tables, ]s, ], paragraphs, text sizes etc. | ||
| Another cool feature is the message boards (forums). Members can post new messages using some HTML. When you create a message it is similar to creating a page except you cannot choose a background unless you are in a table. | |||
| Each group created comes with a default ] called "General". Other message boards can be created for other topics. Members can participate in the group by adding messages and replying using the same interface as used for creating a custom web page. Alternatively, an ] can be sent to the group's e-mail address and the message will appear on the General message board. To reduce ] only e-mails from members can be sent. So, even if a member from a group sends a message he or she will need to use the e-mail address specified in their profile. Some groups discourage members from disclosing their e-mail address due to ]. The group may have certain guidelines to tell members not to have their e-mail on display in their profile. There is also a separate e-mail address which can be used to contact administrators only. | |||
| Documents folders are handy for storing files such as ] documents and other file formats. | |||
| Documents folders are there for ] and can be made accessible to members or just administrators but not non-members. If adding a file to a documents folder this contributes to the member's storage limit. A photo album can also be created for storing photos and images for the site. These images can be put on a custom web page and on the message boards. Adding images also contributes to the storage limit. Uploading images and documents requires the ] control to be installed. The storage limit is 3 MB across all groups and can be upgraded to 30 MB if the person upgrades to MSN Hotmail Plus (fee). However, on ] an unlimited amount of images can be added without the need of paying. So, images can be ] as they are on the MSN domain. | |||
| With MSN's photo upload tool it is easy to arrange your photos. You are allowed to host your images there as long as they do not breach the code of conduct. | |||
| Organising events for the group can be made simple by using the Calendar page. This embeds the calendar as used in MSN Hotmail. Depending on the settings members may be able to contribute to it. Special pages can also be created for lists and links. Again, depending on the settings members may or may not be able to add it. | |||
| Organising has never been easier because you can now use the Calendar feature which is in MSN Hotmail as well. | |||
| If a group is placed in a specific category (such as ] or ]) then a theme is automatically applied. Instead of the default violet-colored bar at the top it will be a themed bar and message boards will contain different colored buttons. Some themes are restricted to groups created in the ]. | |||
| By creating a list you can use it as a 'links' page where members can add their own links or for reviews on books, movies etc. | |||
| ===Themes=== | |||
| 'Themes' are applied to an MSN Group when they are placed in a particular category. For example, if a group is placed in the ] category the ''Xbox'' theme will be applied to it. There are also themes for movies (US), ] and Journals. | |||
| ==Limitations== | |||
| * 3 MB storage for non-paying members. | |||
| * Pages can only be a certain length/size. | |||
| * 299 message boards max. | |||
| * Pictures in messages 1 MB max. | |||
| * 10 attachments per message which total up to 1 MB or less. | |||
| * 100,000 messages max on message boards. | |||
| * Message board names must contain at least 1 character and no more than 16 characters. | |||
| * Message subjects must contain at least 1 character and no more than 80 characters. | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ==Trivia== | |||
| *MSN Groups has previously been known as MSN Homepages and MSN Communities. | *MSN Groups has previously been known as MSN Homepages and MSN Communities. | ||
| *Storage reduced to 3 MB from 30 MB. | *Storage reduced to 3 MB from 30 MB (now fee for 30 MB). | ||
| *All "Mature" and "Adult" groups |
*All "Mature" and "Adult" groups were transferred to a ] web site (see external links). Creating or changing a group to "Mature" or "Private" was not possible after ], ]. The removal of all "Adult" groups was processed on ], ] . | ||
| *Some groups have icons displayed next to the name. Official groups by MSN have the MSN butterfly, groups considered "cool" have sunglasses (no longer supported) and previously "Mature" and "Adult" groups had their own icons too. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| * |
*] | ||
| * |
*] | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * |
* | ||
| * (adult MSN Groups can be transferred here) | |||
| * - help on using MSN Groups | |||
| * - Answers to frequently asked questions about MSN Groups, computers and the internet. | |||
| {{Microsoft products}} | {{Microsoft products}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 20:57, 11 April 2006
MSN Groups (previously known as MSN Communities) is a community site created by Microsoft in 1995. People are allowed to create and join groups if they are a member of the Microsoft Passport Network. All MSN Groups are viewable by anyone.
Membership features
If a person is joined to an MSN Group they can contribute to certain areas. Some areas may only be accessible to administrators.
A custom web page gives the user freedom to use the WYSIWYG interface or HTML. MSN limits some HTML code from being used and JavaScript cannot be put onto any page due to security concerns. In the WYSIWYG interface there are buttons for background colours, text colours, tables, emoticons, fonts, paragraphs, text sizes etc.
Each group created comes with a default message board called "General". Other message boards can be created for other topics. Members can participate in the group by adding messages and replying using the same interface as used for creating a custom web page. Alternatively, an e-mail can be sent to the group's e-mail address and the message will appear on the General message board. To reduce spam only e-mails from members can be sent. So, even if a member from a group sends a message he or she will need to use the e-mail address specified in their profile. Some groups discourage members from disclosing their e-mail address due to spoofing. The group may have certain guidelines to tell members not to have their e-mail on display in their profile. There is also a separate e-mail address which can be used to contact administrators only.
Documents folders are there for storage and can be made accessible to members or just administrators but not non-members. If adding a file to a documents folder this contributes to the member's storage limit. A photo album can also be created for storing photos and images for the site. These images can be put on a custom web page and on the message boards. Adding images also contributes to the storage limit. Uploading images and documents requires the ActiveX control to be installed. The storage limit is 3 MB across all groups and can be upgraded to 30 MB if the person upgrades to MSN Hotmail Plus (fee). However, on MSN Spaces an unlimited amount of images can be added without the need of paying. So, images can be hotlinked as they are on the MSN domain.
Organising events for the group can be made simple by using the Calendar page. This embeds the calendar as used in MSN Hotmail. Depending on the settings members may be able to contribute to it. Special pages can also be created for lists and links. Again, depending on the settings members may or may not be able to add it.
If a group is placed in a specific category (such as Xbox or MSN Messenger) then a theme is automatically applied. Instead of the default violet-colored bar at the top it will be a themed bar and message boards will contain different colored buttons. Some themes are restricted to groups created in the United States.
Trivia
- MSN Groups has previously been known as MSN Homepages and MSN Communities.
- Storage reduced to 3 MB from 30 MB (now fee for 30 MB).
- All "Mature" and "Adult" groups were transferred to a third party web site (see external links). Creating or changing a group to "Mature" or "Private" was not possible after October 19, 2005. The removal of all "Adult" groups was processed on November 28, 2005 .
- Some groups have icons displayed next to the name. Official groups by MSN have the MSN butterfly, groups considered "cool" have sunglasses (no longer supported) and previously "Mature" and "Adult" groups had their own icons too.
See also
External links
- MSN Groups
- World Groups (adult MSN Groups can be transferred here)
