Yahoo Groups is also a disaster. It wasn’t broke, but some asshat decided they know better than everyone else. The new design is a “charlie foxtrot”.
The biggest mistake that any business can make, is failing to survey their public and market test before making major changes to their products or operating basis.
High tech companies are notorious for that behavior, and some have gone under for making those suicidal blunders. Unfortunately, their example doesn't stop other tech companies from following the same tried and true failure model.
"Groups" hasn't worked properly since DejaNews owned it, way back when.
Of course, internet content production has long since outrun such quaint things as newsgroups. So, in practice, it doesn't matter. Just google for what you are looking for and take it from there, sharpening your query as results dictate.
For what it’s worth (a little off topic .. ) gimmee back Windows 98