A couple of unrelated complaints..

[MrWookie]

For #2, there isn't a great solution. If you get logged out due to cookie expiration, every forum you then read will have everything marked as read. The only solution is to log in and get a new cookie, then completely close out of your browser w/o going to any forums. Reopen your browser and go back to 2+2. Then it'll work like normal w/ read and unread posts.