Google Groups Launched Out of Beta
Google today launched Google Groups out of beta testing on the ‘Groups’ link of the Google home page at www.google.com. This enhanced product enables users to create, manage, search and browse web-based groups, as well as subscribe to and track favorite groups. Building on the foundation of the original service that currently includes more than 1 billion searchable posts from the Usenet archive, Google Groups now offers users the ability to join and follow discussions among different groups, keep in touch with family and friends, and share information more easily.
Using Google Groups, people can search and participate in a variety of discussions. Users looking for advice on treating carpal tunnel or disputing a cell phone bill can find discussions from other people who have experience in these areas. In addition, family, friends, and official organizations like schools or community centers can keep their members informed via email lists and announcement-only newsletters through Google Groups.
“Google Groups enables users to easily gather groups of friends, acquaintances, and those sharing interests together, and communicate with them directly via email, newsletters and message boards,” said Jonathan Rosenberg, vice president, Product Management, Google Inc. “These online communities connect people with information they care about, and that furthers our commitment to enhancing the online experience for Google users.”
They seem to have subverted the archive of usenet posts to turn the concept into something different. In the process, they have thrown away the value of that archive. For example, note that one can no longer search for posts by date.
Google Groups 2 is still in “beta”
On an MIE 3 browser, the print is tiny, about 7 pixels tall (leaving no hole in a lower-case ‘p’). I’m trying Altavista instead.
Beta groups 2 is very bad. I can see googles traffic dropping like a rock. I hope they wise up and bring back the old interface before they lose their users. I can get groups at yahoo, or msn. Why would I go to Google for groups? It’s like a barber offering to change my oil.
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