Lack,
I know you are a busy fellow, but please please please would you at least consider installing the pbpbb mod for keeping posts marked as unread until read.
I often log on to check my games but might not check the forums. Then when I log onto the forum it has marked any posts since I last logged on as read, so I have to look through the categories.
If you're not familiar with the mod, the official phpbb support thread is here.
Dex