1. The way I browse the forum is pretty adhoc. I go to the subforum and then to the last post in the thread I am interested. Don't ever use the subscriptions page. Disabled email notifications too. The icon can be displayed. The current image icon doesn't look any better with the dark theme. Will find a good set. If you got any recommendations then let me know.
2. Again, never use this functionality. Agree that it is of not much use.
3. Yeah, it will be easy to hide.
4. The grey text is useful for new joiners but for others it's just a mere repetition and draws the attention away from the content. You will see same theme applied in post. Signature text and user details are in grey text while the actual post content is white colored. Simply for the sake of less distraction.
I will roll out the next update after this week. Tied up in other work.
1. I think the default icon (*www.digit.in/forum/images/buttons/firstnew.png) should work. But if not, can you try this one: (*img.vineetkumar.me/image.php?di=5NQ8). I have just inverted the colour.
3. Please do hide! One can always unsubscribe from within thread.
Waiting for the next update.