I have some suggestions that I think will improve the bitcointalk forum.
(1) Notification
- Something like the notification bar in Facebook. Wherein you can get the numbers whether some users replied to your posts or if someone quoted your replies. It will make it easier to look for the new replies. Only, if that is possible to be applied in this forum.
Doesn't the option "Show new replies to your posts" that you can see in the top of the screen mean nothing to you? It works pretty effectively with the target that you mentioned here.
(2) Bitcoin Value Bar
- The current value of bitcoin. It can be placed at the bottom of the date, or at the center of the heading. It is much better to have other coins as well, such as Ethereum and Litecoin.
In this case the number of posts about current price of Bitcoin or other altcoin would trash the forum, because of every newbie would open a new thread to pay attention on the change.
(3) Friends List
- In my opinion, it is necessary in this forum. As for myself, I joined this forum because of my friends. And it would help if we have some friends list to quickly show the people you have added.
These are just some of the ideas/suggestions that I think will improve the forum. It does not mean that it will truly benefit the forum. But just in my own perspective.
As someone said already we have Facebook for friends and having such function would awake a lot of doubts from the side of managers and moderators about multiply accounts and so on.
For Option 1, I would have to agree with kjnfmplm. Yes, show new replies will show you just that... New replies, It won't show you new replies that quote your own comment though. That's how most people have 1 on 1 discussions on this forum. (as for it being connected to Facebook... no, there's no point for that)
Option 2 is arbitrary and unnecessary in my opinion. It's clutter.
Option 3 I feel the same as in option 2. If you have built a relationship with someone you will have means to communicate and connect with them regardless if you have a list. If you need a list to remember them - you didn't build a relationship with them