First of all, thank you everyone for taking the time to have opinions!

Now, as to specific points:

1. On the "Return to Messages" button: Having double checked what it does ("yeet you back onto the front page") ... would it make sense to scrap the thing entirely? Browsers have a back button, after all.
2. On collapsing/expanding ... probably not worth the bother and explosion of front-end code, now that the idea's had a moment to settle down
3. On search: Yep, I don't like the fact that the search routines give the impression that they've been infected by scrapcode or that Harry Dresden's standing around while they run either. This was a consequence of the fact that the RP Board's hosting would've wanted an arm and a leg to run anything nicer. Fortunately, newer versions of the database we're using (and newer libraries that let us hook up to them) appear to allow for a better search setup, but that'd require some planning, testing, and a maintenance window. So, in other words, I've got some thoughts, but it might be a bit before they go anywhere.

Thanks again for all the opinions and for sticking around!

- Tomash, who almost stuck his wallet name here because this message has just enough work vibes to make the muscle memory kick in

Ideally I'd like more filtered searches but I don't know how feasible that is :P

No horse in the "collapse thread" race, though. Maybe the option to hide what has been read, but again, not sure how feasible that is?

Chronological order would be so nice.

Also seconding doc that having "Return to Messages" place you at the thread's location on the page would be nice.

I'm ambivalent about an option for collapsing/expanding threads in the default view, leaning toward "no thanks." But, it might be good to have the option to totally collapse posts in a thread while viewing that thread, so there's zero text visible from posts besides the one you're currently viewing. Might help people avoid spoilers/triggers when they're warned for in the post title but not otherwise hidden.

I also like the thought of being able to view the entire thread while composing a reply but am usually fine doing that in a separate tab.

Thanks for the update!

~Neshomeh

There's a latest posts page! I somehow had no idea. That's neat.

1. The search function doesn't give results in...well, in any discernable order, really. Relevance, chronology - if there's an order, I have yet to figure it out. It would be very nice to be able to get search results in chronological order.

2. Ooh. Sure, that sounds nice! It's not so bad clicking into a thread and then being able to expand from there, but this would be pleasant to have as well.

Thanks for your (collective) efforts!

~Z, so much still in work mode that she nearly signed off with "Best," before her signature.

Edit: thirding being able to see the thread when writing a post! That's always been something I wished for while accepting that I had to just go back and open it in a different tab...far too often one wants to reference several posts at once, but can only see one. That would be a pretty cool addition, if it's possible!

when I had a post open to read, and I hit the "Return to Messages" button, the main page would load with the thread I was just looking at set at the top of the page. But the Current Board always goes back to the top of the page. It made it easier to navigate a thread without scrolling around much.

—doctorlit, qqing over qol

Otherwise, one thing I might consider changing about the Board, and this is a minor point, is that sometimes I wish I could view posts in a thread when I'm typing out a reply? I usually just open another tab, but when I'm addressing specific points and have to open a couple of tabs to make sure I'm not missing anything it can be a bit awkward.