Hi,

the kind of layout I would ideally like is :

1. old-style layout where the forum is just header posts and replies underneath. I prefer that for a slow moving forum.

and/or

2. Ideally I would like it split screen, with the header and reply header on the left hand side and the message on the right hand side. That reduces clicking by about a half and you always know where you are.

Microsoft have went that route with some forums but made it too slow-loading and probably too complicated.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

I think this is the most practical layout for forums.