What is the proper way to read a post in order to insure that it is marked as READ? Many of the post I read don't actually get marked and then I don't know what is new or old.

I don't know about the read messages part.
Personally I've never used it.

I do use a forum link that I couldn't live without in; 'View New Posts'. (It's up there on your right)
This will bring all the latest posts to the top.

Once you select 'View New Posts' there will also be an icon on the left that you can click to view new posts in that topic. It'll look like this:

But... the real question!
Are there that many posts in here that you forget which ones you've read?

I just go through the whole lot .. gives me something to do and read

Ahhh it must be such a luxury to have enough time to read through all those posts again and again. I'm like Rodney. I skip straight to the new posts.

What I think Calvin is referring to, though, is the icon. When there are new posts, it is dark, and when there aren't, it is pale. I, too have noticed that some of my icons stay dark after I've read the posts. When that happens, I have to go by the last post date.

ohh i dont have the time really im a speed reader .. but i like to read through just incase ive missed something

Since I like to always try and add my 2 copper pieces to most posts that warrant comment. Oviously not this one yet. I will go back to the ones that display that I have not read the messages. If I was already there before (see comment) I will scroll down to my last comment and start reading from there. Now if I use the back button to return to the main topic page it will not register that I have read the thread.

However, if I go back to the top of the page I'm viewing and select the previous topic in the navigation list that displays what thread I'm in, it will display the entire topic as read. Using only the back button you must go all the way out of the thread and then return, at that time it will update what you have read or not.

It took me a little while to catch on, but I did eventually. I guess it's my old age catching up with me faster than a speeding bullet.

And then, just to make sure Woo isn't lurking behind my back salivating for my next post, I hit refresh just to see if she put in her 2 or 4 or 6 copper pieces as well.

Eric

Indeed, if you use the back button on your browser you will simply see the previously cached version of the page. If you use the internal forum links to navigate everything should update properly.

Ok Admin, since you're obviously not looking at all the art in the Galleries on your 13 monitors right now, I've got another question.

In the listing of threads you have a little briefcase next to each thread. I look below and you have a legend that explains what each of them mean. However, I notice that there may be two briefcases let's say for theory sake light blue. Both of them, when hovering the mouse, say no new posts. However one briefcase has a little white corner blocked out and the other is solid blue. I have not seen anywhere that explains what the white corner is signifying?

Sorry for being so anal in my description. I tend to be quite thorough.

Eric

Stop asking hard questions on my day off!

The little white corner means an admin has posted in it

you get a day off

Apparently not

aww you just love us soo much you cant keep away .. so while your here what about some extra smilies .. ive used all mine up please

I'm smiling at you Woo, does that count?

Thanks Admin, after I asked I was thinking it was ones that I had posted in. Good thing I was wrong!

certainly does