microsoft.public.* — the branch address

This address stands for the microsoft.public.* hierarchy — the groups Microsoft ran on its own public news server, peered widely enough that most providers carried them. It is preserved because it is still cited from outside. The account of how the hierarchy was administered, who answered the questions and how it was retired in 2010 is on the Microsoft branch page; the groups this directory holds under the branch are listed below.

• microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.wmi
• microsoft.public.excel.programming
• microsoft.public.fr.jpp
• microsoft.public.fr.scripting.ie-oe-animation
• microsoft.public.outlook
• microsoft.public.platformsdk.security
• microsoft.public.scripting.vbscript
• microsoft.public.win32.programmer.directx.managed
• microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wmi
• microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter.hometheaterpc
• microsoft.public.windowsmedia
• microsoft.public.windowsupdate
• microsoft.public.windowsxp.wmi
• microsoft.public.word.numbering