This is something that I expressed hope that Nigel would NOT do when the new forum software came out. He acknowledged that he would NOT do that, but he has done just that!
Don't be so pedantic Bill. The stickies that were needed for the changeover in forum software will go away over time.
Haha, had to look up what pedantic meant. I now realize that the culprit was all of those polls staying up top. On all the other forums I visit, a poll is just another thread. They run their own course and do not get special favor. Special favor being a sticky. After all, anyone can create a poll about anything, so, that is why they do not get that all-so-important real estate... the top of the forum.
Also, I just realized that I do not use a desktop computer, I use a laptop and obviously, my screen depth means that I don't have as much showing as someone with a desktop.
I have been webmaster of several forums, so, I do have a bit of experience here. Doesn't mean I'm right, haha. But... one other thing I'll mention is that forums are my favorite feature of the internet. As for stickies, I don't know if the software allows this, but if the stickies can be made to shade (the entire row, if possible) a different color, the eye can, at a glance, tell where the threads begin.