They are free and are availible either on USENET or the www.
"All Microsoft newsgroups are available through both a Web-based newsreader and an NNTP newsreader, such as Outlook Express. In fact you'll see links allowing you to choose between Web-based and NNTP newsreaders when you see listings of newsgroups. Don’t know which to choose? This may..."
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/guide/newsgroups.mspx
Discussions in Windows XP General:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.general&lang=en&cr=US
Enjoy!