What is the 'Internet Explorer Outreach Team'?

On a few forums recently I have spotted numerous posts form the "Internet Explorer Outreach Team"

Some of these seem to be people just trying to pimp IE, others seem to be linking to sites with a MS look and feel, but not run by MS.

A search on Google shows that there is a rapidly growing number of these. But no official comment on any of the MS websites.

So the question is...

Is this endorsed by MS and not publicised or is it a build up to some malware/scam attack?

I figured this might be a good place to start the investigation.

p.s. they always sign off with

NAME
Internet Explorer Outreach Team

with different names but with robotic like consistency.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -

Internet Explorer Outreach Team

by codyg_ie8team Feb 23, 2009 2:57AM PST

aMUSICsite-

Hi, I?m Cody, and I?m actually a member of this Internet Explorer Outreach Team you?re asking about. Although we may have robotic-like consistency, we certainly aren?t robots. We simply try to keep our messages as consistent and reliable as possible, to help assure users that we aren?t part of any kind of upcoming malware attack or scam (which we aren?t).

We are working as a Microsoft-endorsed branch of the Internet Explorer Team (although we aren?t on the tech developer side of things) to try and help answer questions or concerns that folks might have about Internet Explorer.

You?re right: sometimes, we do link to sites other than official Microsoft ones, as there are sometimes resources on third-party sites that we think are useful, helpful, or at least informative for Internet Explorer users. We never send users to sites that could be potentially dangerous, or advise them to do anything that could cause their systems harm.

Basically, we?re here to help, and we want to join in on the Internet Explorer discussion that is happening around the web. However, we don?t want to be mindless random robots that do nothing but drop links in comment threads all day: we always try to add value to the conversation or at least point users towards resources we think they?ll find useful.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions, please let me know if there?s anything else you?d like to know.

Thanks,
Cody
Internet Explorer Outreach Team

- Collapse -

Got it.

by Renegade Knight Feb 23, 2009 3:59AM PST

You are a special focus team rather like the MS drones who police for alledged DMCA violations and issue take down notices. Except your mission is to Pimp IE. At least you are more interactive. The DMCA drones aren't authorized to have a dialog. They could be replaced by bots.

- Collapse -

It might help...

by fbbbb Feb 24, 2009 7:36AM PST

... if he actually said something though.

I mean, if that was a "Hello, we're pimping IE" then I really need to start calling a spade a ground-based organic compound relocation system.

- Collapse -

Da Da Da

by aMUSICsite-22314524647241 Feb 24, 2009 5:55AM PST

The robots are getting smarter!!!

- Collapse -

Highly dubious

by tekdoctor Jun 26, 2009 7:18AM PDT

As a consultant, I am constantly troubleshooting Microsoft issues, and IE8 has created innumerable problems for my clients.

However, there is no air of legitimacy to this Internet Explorer Outreach Team, IMO.

At best, MS has wreaked havoc across the Web and has been forced to tidy it's own litter box for a change. Ha - As if.

At second best, it's a thinly veiled attempt to unearth copyright issues using the pretense of technical support.

At worst, it is a group of hackers trying to capitalize on the IE8 debacle.

The fact that these team members do not appear on Web sites where there is no possibility of DMCA violations is also highly illuminating.

Sorry "Cody", but I have, and will continue, to insist that my clients block access to their Web sites by any members of your so-called Team.

Be it malware, a concerted cyber attack, or an ill-disguised effort at copyright enforcement, my clients lose nothing by barring you, as they can easily get the same information from the official Microsoft site.

And if by some stretch of the imagination you are a bona fide authorized arm of MS, more shame to you. Your new, "upgraded" products prove more troublesome with every iteration, and this from an IT professional. I can't bear to think what the less knowledgeable and experienced end users go through!

I do thank you and Microsoft though - without these shoddy releases, I might have to join the ranks of the unemployed. As it is, your desire to dominate the market with substandard products will put my kids through college.

- Collapse -

Internet Explorer Outreach Team

by silvana238 Sep 28, 2010 5:26PM PDT

I?m actually a member of this Internet Explorer Outreach Team you?re asking about.You are a special focus team rather like the MS drones who police for alledged DMCA violations and issue take down notices.I think you are more interactive.

What is the 'Internet Explorer Outreach Team'?

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info