I didn't read through all the suggestions so if this has been said already I apologize in advance for my lazyness.
Suggestion:
on some other forums, usually on the right side of the main page their is a colum of 10 most recently posted/ updated threads. This is usually were I start my time because it allows me to keep up with the entire site and not have to thumb throuh the entire website to find out whats new.
Just an idea for ya
