Where is workplace area? where to look for new announcements??

Create, edit, and delete announcements that appear in the Workplace area."

I created a new announcement & all worked fine. 

But... where to see this new announcement at user level? I can't seem to find WORKPLACE area ??

After a little research, I found someone advising to change site_map to include WORKPLACE area... so I installed XRM TOOLs and browsed through the site_map using site_map editor, however, I couldn't find any area named WORKPLACE and if I am supposed to add the missing AREA then how do I know what URLs to add.

Further research revealed to me that MS has phased out this particular area i.e. workplace... Is it true? if yes, then where and how to look for 'announcements'? Does this imply that MS would phase out announcement feature also?

I AM CONFUSED? 

Thanks

Noor