Google Groups Adds New Functionality

If you're not familiar with "Google Groups" don't feel lost, most folks haven't discovered it either. Earlier this month, Google relaunched it's Groups feature to include new functionality, mainly the ability to create your own groups.

Click here to visit the Beta version of the newly redesigned Google Groups.

Think of Google Groups as similar to Yahoo Groups. But, it's actually significantly different, although, you may not know it. This is because Google has a done great job of making the "Usenet" look look something similar to Yahoo Groups.

The Usenet is actually the oldest form of the Internet still in existence. Born in 1979, it was initially conceived as a network of computers that allow people to post messages and exchange ideas.

But since then, it has expanded globally and is now used by millions of people, though not necessarily through Google. Google doesn't own the Usenet, it just gives you an easy way to access it, and browse its archives of messages.

When Google originally launched "Google Groups" in 2001, it provided basic access to search the Usenet messages, read the messages, and post new messages. But you could not create groups of your own, at least not through Google.

Now, Google has added the ability to create your own "Google Group", however, any you group you create is not technically a "Usenet Group". That is, any groups created through Google do not actually become Usenet groups, they are instead groups located solely on Google's servers.

But the beauty of being able to create your own groups, is that you can devote a group solely to a specific surname study. Or, you can create a group just to discuss history and genealogy in a specific county or state.