The Groups section is a great idea but it seems like many people forget it is there. As a result, comments or suggestions in a particular group may go unanswered for several weeks if at all. Would it be possible to tweak the website to announce to group members that a new comment was made? This would keep conversations from stagnating. Perhaps it could be put in the bar at the top next to the New Messages announcement. Honestly, that would interest me more than knowing how many members are currently online.
I see you have the same basic idea Red. I and others have asked for groups to be improved. Admin has notified me that they are looking at completely re-writing groups. I know that this will take some time but I have put in my 2cents. I have suggested that groups have a banner added along side email. When someone enters info into a group you belong to the groups flag would be turned on showing that someone in one of your groups has added a comment etc. If you have thought about improvements that might be made you may wish to email admin. But if we could talk it out in detail here we may get a better product.
Ditto!