Using the Discussion Feature in Internet Explorer

This article explains how to use the Discussion feature in Microsoft Internet Explorer when you are viewing files created in a Microsoft Office 2000 product.

1. Create a document in one of the Office 2000 products, and then save it as a Web page.
2. In Internet Explorer, open the file you created.
3. To add a discussion, do one of the following:
   1. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later and you have PowerPoint 2000 or Microsoft Office 2000 installed, click Discuss.
   2. If you are using Internet Explorer 4 and you have PowerPoint 2000 or Office 2000 installed, click View, point to Explorer Bar, and then click Discuss.
   3. If you are using another browser, or if you do not have PowerPoint 2000 or Microsoft Office 2000 installed, type http://ServerName/msoffice/ in the address box, where ServerName is a Web server to which you can save files. This brings up the Office Server Extensions start page.
      
      Ask your system administrator for the name of a Web server to which you can save files.
      
      NOTE: When you connect to a Web page from the Office Server Extensions start page, no matter what browser you are using, the Discussions toolbar that appears will look different from the one that appears when you start a discussion from within Internet Explorer 5. See the Microsoft Office Server Extensions start page Help file for more information.

Using threaded discussions for collaboration

The Discussion feature allows you and other people to insert remarks into a Web page. The discussions are threaded; that is, replies to a discussion remark are nested directly under it. You can have multiple discussions in progress simultaneously.

You start a discussion from within your browser. (You can also work directly from within Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft PowerPoint.) When you use the Discussions toolbar, anyone reviewing your Web page can view and reply to any discussion.

You can filter discussions on a Web page so that you read discussion remarks added by only a particular participant or within a certain time frame. You can then review discussions in your browser or in a Microsoft Office program and incorporate any changes you want to make to your Web page, based on the feedback you receive.