I'm about to install a change to the forum that improves the read and unread tracking system (the little green and grey indicators on the left of the thread list). I have tested the changes, but there are quite possibly going to be a few bumps in the road when I install them here.

For most people the changes will be very subtle. For one thing, I have extended the system's memory so it can track things further into the past.

The MAIN change happens for people that use the "Mark All as Read" button. If that's not you, then please don't feel compelled to read the rest of this post. But please do let me know if you see anything strange once the changes are installed in 10-15 minutes.

If that IS you (ahem, Louise, Sona :-), then please read on.

In the past when you pressed "Mark All as Read", the system actually pretended that you had read ALL of the threads, including the ones that you hadn't ever opened.

The new system only marks "as read" the threads that you have opened at least once. So their indicator, which was dark grey before, turns light grey.

The ones you never opened, which are green, are NOT marked as read. They ARE affected though, and after pressing the "Mark All as Read" button you will see their indicators change to a lighter, faded shade of the same green.

I think this is the best of both worlds. The fact that they change to light green means you can press "Mark All as Read" and "tidy up" after a session. The next time you come to the forum it will be obvious which of the topics were posted since you left.

But you can still see which threads you have read in the past and which ones you have never opened.

Phew, I hope that's clear. This is the kind of thing that is simple in use, but hard to explain in words. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I really want to make sure that this system works well for you because it is such an important way of keeping track.

I will update this thread when the changes are installed (hopefully in about 10-15 minutes).