Private Messages (PMs) are at the top of EVERYONE'S lists for improvements to the forums. /agree 100%

To view a user's posts, click their user name. On the sceen that loads, next to their name are "View" and "Track" buttons. Click the TRACK button to get a list of linkies to that user's posts.

There is a somewhat useful feature here that shows newer posts in the frame on the right hand side. It's not really up to snuff with other forums that have buttons to jump to the "First Unread Post" in threads, or jump to "Last Post" buttons. But if you visit the site often, it allows you to catch up with discussions pertty quickly.

For infrequent visitors, a checkbox when posting (default to NOT checked please!) could be added to cause email notification to be sent if/when someone answers your post. This is VERY useful for people who, for example, visit a forum to ask a single question.