My feedreader is showing the following entry, which is not to be found on the Google Blog. And following a link to http://www.google.com/googleblog/2004/12/new-gaggle-of-groups.html
gives "page cannot be found on this server".

Perhaps this is in response to the backlash of them removing the ability to link to individual posts and removing the search by date functionality. Or maybe they realized that in the groups discussion they are linking to in the blog entry, 6 out of 8 links do not work.:

Entry:
"Are you interested in learning how to build a bird house, or discussing Linux with other partisans? Or maybe in your spare time you want to make single-layer graphene sheets using Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Whether your interests run to knitting or brain surgery, chances are good other people out there share them. The new Google Groups not only helps you find information on millions of topics; now you can actively share ideas and opinions with others about each and every obsession of yours.

And if you don't find a group already focused on your passion, by all means start one. Invite others to join your group so that all interested parties can read and respond to messages, share opinions and ideas via email or your own group's web page. If you're looking for a group to join, we could definitely use some thoughtful insight (or idle speculation) over at my space elevator group.

Shannon Bauman
Associate Product Manager, Google Groups "

_______________
http://www.br1an.net

By the way, I deserve a much higher PersonRank than three ;)

Let me finish up with the hyperlinks which were originally included in their entry:

"how to build a bird house"
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.birds/browse_thread/thread/fce29b7265aaf0db/b5ae22f94d359948

"Linux with other partisans"
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Linux-OS

"make single-layer graphene sheets using Chemical Vapor Deposition"
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sci.materials/browse_thread/thread/225aba0aa93815ca/0675dc3262d7dfb5

"space elevator group"
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Space-Elevator

One more thing:

It could also be that Yahoo effectively kicked their ass in their attempt at the "space elevator group" they were trumpeting. See the last message in this thread:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Space-Elevator/browse_thread/thread/590759a885022313/1001b08e0d6d51ad#1001b08e0d6d51ad

"Well Shannon, (he is referring to the Google Employee who posted the entry here)

If you are looking for space elevator discussion, there is the space elevator group on yahoo. It currently has almost 500 members and most of them are rather knowledgeable. I think the link is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/space-elevator . I hope that helps!

-Matt"

Thanks for pointing out the missing article Brian.

Your PersonRank is calculated algorithmically depending on how many posts "Brian" created here. If you start posting here more often I suggest you use a more "unique" name (like "br1an" for instance) so that when your PersonRank hits 10 I can create an icon for you. :)