not about the OP starter wanting attention, but about the other things you said...

The original reason for groups... for those of you who haven't been here very long, was so that people with similar interests could get together on one board and chat.... the idea wasn't that it would be come a free for all. I wanted this idea to be implemented years ago...

What is the point of joining a group, if every Tom, Dick or Harry can post to it anyway? Groups should be exclusive and admins to those groups have control... Unfortunately, you will get those who will be biased to other members... thats how it is unforunately, groups are not the main forum (ie: a free for all)

I welcome this move by QL - its been a long time in coming:-)