Is it possible to put a chatroom box in the forum title header. That way you can see if anyone logs in while your in the forum. It doesn't seem to be being used, yet there are plenty of us talking to ourselves in it!!!
Then when you were browsing through the forum you could see the minute anyone logged in and could joint them, as opposed to checking it on your way into or out of the site.
just a thought.
p.s. jools have a good holiday!