I guess it's one of those devils you have to live with if you want to use it.
The latest 'observation' is that the 'recent' stuff seems to be updating in real time down the right hand side of the screen and can't be turned off. I'm sure that FB thinks it is an improvement...
By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.
By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.
By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.
By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.