For me, this forum is a step backwards in usability compared to the Google one because it doesn't support an associated mailing list. I participate in quite a few technical forums and find it much more convenient to monitor a mailing list via mobile phone or laptop when I am travelling. I often don't have the time (or screen real-estate) to log onto a web forum just to check what has been going on, especially when this means trying to recall which messages you have already read.