Welcome
1. it's possible with a template change, tho I find it very helpful to have the subject in front of me - keeps me on topic
2. the easiest way to fix that would be to upload a blank/transparent gif renamed to the file name of your current icon.
3. you can highlight new posts by changing their color settings in the css file - check toward the bottom under the sections that start with
.newlighttable
.newdarktable
.newpostsincat
etc
4. it's possible they've either set it up to display categories only or removed any description for the forums so they stack like that. It's difficult to say without a link to the forum in question. Could be a custom page they've set up specifically for the site.
