I got this in my e-mail because I am still technically running a MSN group for the
UCNUG leadership. I don't recall any messages on the group for the last 2 years so
for me this is a non-event but there may be others who have changed e-mail addresses
and would like to know that their groups (and the history) might be going away
Dear MSN Groups Customer,
As a valued MSN Groups or MSN Communities Web Folders customer, we want to notify
you that the MSN Groups service will close on February 21, 2009 and
you will have the opportunity to move your group to our new partner service, Multiply.
We understand the importance of keeping your group together, so we partnered with
Multiply to create a migration process that moves your group to their service to preserve
your online community and its history. Read on to find out about how to kick off the
automatic migration of your group to Multiply.
We realise this may be unexpected, so before presenting your options we want to briefly
share why we've made this decision.
Why?
Because we are dedicated to providing our customers with the most current and user
friendly technology available today we made the difficult decision to close the MSN
Groups service. This decision is part of an overall investment to update and re-align
our online services with Windows Live. In the long term we believe that closing the
service is the best way to continue to offer innovative and effective services that
help you stay in touch with the people you care about. We plan to launch a new Groups
service in the coming weeks, but unlike MSN Groups, Windows Live Groups will focus
on offering a place for small groups to collaborate. Multiply is available now, making
it your best option today for continuing to share and communicate together online.
Options for moving your group to a new service
We've listed some options and resources below to help you decide what to do with your
group.
-
Option 1: Automatically move your group and its data. We have established
a partnership with Multiply, an online group and media sharing service so our users
can choose to migrate their group to Multiply's service. Choosing this option is free
and easy to use: Multiply will move the Group's content on your behalf and invite
members to re-join your group in its new location. To begin the migration click
here.
-
Option 2: Start again on another service. You can start from scratch
and create your group on a different service but we recommend having your Group moved
automatically by Multiply. This will enable your Group to transition easily and continue
to enjoy the community you have created.
-
Option 3: Start again on Windows Live Groups. To
further expand our mix of communications and sharing services, Windows Live will launch
a new service this autumn, Windows Live Groups. We plan to launch Windows Live Groups
to the public in the coming weeks as a service that helps small groups or clubs collaborate
online.
Options for MSN Communities Web Folders users
If you use save files to the MSN Communities web folders (also known as "My Web
Sites on MSN" or the web folder "My Groups"), these services are part
of MSN Groups and will therefore will also be closed on February 21, 2009. We recommend
that if you store files online using MSN Communities web folders that you back up
these files locally, then upload them to another online storage service such as Windows
Live SkyDrive. For more details on how to find and move files saved to your web folders,
visit the MSN
Groups Resource Center.
Your Next Steps
We have sent this letter to each MSN Groups user, whether member or manager. If you
are:
-
A member or user of MSN Groups: Check with your group manager to
determine whether they plan to migrate the group.
-
A manager: Visit the MSN Groups Resource Center to learn more about
your options and consider soliciting feedback from your group members about what they
would prefer to do, when and how. The Resource Center also provides a sample splash
page you can use to notify your members that the group will move. If you're ready
to move the group now, click
here.
What to Expect between now and the closing date
Between today and February 21, 2009 the MSN Groups service will remain the same as
it is now. We will remove the option to add more storage to your group but other features
will remain until the service is shut down and you can use it the same way you do
today until the date of closure.
Where can I learn more?
You probably have more questions, and that's why we created a website to address them.
Please visit the MSN
Groups Resource Center at any time for the most up to date answers to common questions,
information about migrating your group to Multiply, contact information for our support
staff, and important dates.
Our support staff are equipped to answer your questions and guide you through issues
that may arise as you decide what to do with your group. They are ready to help so
don't hesitate to contact them at MSN
Groups Customer Support with your questions.
We thank you for using our services and regret any inconvenience this may cause.
MSN Groups, Microsoft Corporation
