Not that I use Google Groups / Usenet from a browser often, but here it goes...
#1 and #2 Google should consider the scroll from any UI component; however, I have to wonder where you have drawn such a conclusion to 1999 UI/UX. You are seriously against fixed-position controls?
#3 You must have an axe to grind with Google and/or Gmail. At Gmail, the label-less buttons were daunting for all of one minute. In the case of Google Groups, the buttons are quite obvious and ubiquitous with their other properties. Again, if you at all use Google Apps, the buttons are a non-issue; are we going to complain about the obvious purpose of the "home" button on an iPhone?
The buttons should have labels. Google shouldn't assume every person who log's onto any Google app will know what they mean.Even though I'm a power user and I still prefer labels to icons.
#1 and #2 Google should consider the scroll from any UI component; however, I have to wonder where you have drawn such a conclusion to 1999 UI/UX. You are seriously against fixed-position controls?
#3 You must have an axe to grind with Google and/or Gmail. At Gmail, the label-less buttons were daunting for all of one minute. In the case of Google Groups, the buttons are quite obvious and ubiquitous with their other properties. Again, if you at all use Google Apps, the buttons are a non-issue; are we going to complain about the obvious purpose of the "home" button on an iPhone?