Google adds newsgroup features

Internet search service Google has thrown another bone to the Web community active in Web discussions groups, or newsgroups. Google's Usenet service now lets visitors post and reply to messages on Internet discussion groups--two basic functions unavailable to visitors since the service's debut earlier this year. Google has been slowly restoring the Web-based newsgroup service from Deja.com in its own likeness after its February purchase of its select assets. Last month, Google made available an archive of more than 650 million messages from Usenet.