May 21 2001.

Google allows posting of Usenet messages

As reported in April, Google has integrated the Deja.com Usenet search engine into its own site.

However, one of the Deja.com utilities has been sorely missing: The ability to post messages on the Web site, without opening a special newsreader (i.e. a program for accessing the Usenet, which is actually not part of the World Wide Web).

Despair no more! You may now post newsgroup messages using Google.

To post a message, you must first find the relevant newsgroup or select an article to which you wish to respond. To start a new thread, click the link that says: "Post new message to [group name]". You should see this link when you're one level above the actual articles in the group.

If you want to respond to a specific post, you must click your way down to the message level. Your message will be "threaded" to that message and the others that have preceded it.

You can find an article by searching on a given topic and then clicking on the 'View Thread' link; or by browsing through a newsgroup and clicking on an article. Click on the "Post a Followup" link in the upper right corner of the screen to send a message.

The first time you post you will be taken to a registration page. It's required that you register with a valid email address and password before posting in order to protect your identity. If you want to post anonymously, you must register as a user of one of the many Web based email services first (like Hotmail or Yahoo!).

Google has also provided a useful guide to Usenet etiquette, that probably will save many beginners from being "flamed".

Pandia on the Deja.com takeover
Google Groups
Google Groups Help
Google Groups Posting FAQ
Posting Style Guide
Google Usenetters get posting rights (The Register)

More search engine news...