Microsoft previews new MSN Web sites

Microsoft Corporation on Tuesday announced the public preview of its newMSN Web Communities. This new feature allows visitors to MSN.COM to link torelated information, newsgroups, and chats.

"Providing high-quality managed communities is essential to a great customer experience and the continued success of our network," said Laura Jennings, VP of MSN. "MSN Web Communities will help our customers more easily exchange important information, stay better informed and ultimatelyget more done."

The beta Web Communities includeabout 70 forums that were previously available only to subscribers of theMSN online service. The final version of the Web communities will beavailable later this Fall