1) While I see I can select newest first when I read a message, I would like to be able to have that be the default as opposed to having to change it from oldest to newest each time I enter Stock Central. Is there a way to do this?
If you click "My Profile" and then "Edit Profile" you'll find that this is one of the available preferences. There are others, including on that will "jump" to the first unread message in a thread. Presumably that is most useful if you are reading "oldest first."
2) I have been using "not read" to select the messages to read. After selecting the first one I would like to be able to directly skip to the next one. I have been using the back button to get there but am hoping there is a way to do it with one click. The "Next" button on the lower right takes you to a new subject and not the next unread message.
Unfortunately, this doesn't work as you'd like. The "Active Topics" and "Unread Messages" choices select across all forums. The "next" link is next in the forum. Perhaps a future forum software upgrade will provide next unread.
In the meantime, you can always click the Unread or Active Topics link at the top of the page. That takes you back to the list. In the case of unread messages, it will be less the message that you just read.
3) You mentioned you used "active" in reading your mail. Could you explain what "active" means and how this differs from unread? Or perhaps the purpose of "active"?
I'll try!
Unread means ... unread, and lists all messages (and their topics) that you've not read.
Active Topics are those that have a new message within the time frame specified. When you start, the default is active since your last visit to the forum. You can use a drop down list to adjust she "since when" date and time.
Active Topics is designed to show you what's happened "recently." Unread can include unread since the beginning of time.
4) What is the purpose of the "Design" button on the lower left corner when replying?
The two choices are Design and HTML. Normally, you should be in the design mode, so the editor is WYSIWIG. If you switch to HTML, you can write your message directly in HTML format.
(We will be upgrading the editor in the near future. When we do, that choice will disappear and be replaced by a "Source" button. The source button will switch you to HTML mode.
As you can see I am still learning to find my way around Stock Central.
We're all beginners at one level or another!
I would add I think the Top 25 stock selections is a great way to encourage interest and discussion on what I am sure will be some stocks of interest.
Having seen all of the picks, I think we'll have a great competition, not to mention a great list of stocks from which to build a diversified portfolio.