Lacking the time & patience to read the rest of this long thread, here is my answer to your Q:
Off topic: On this new TMC site, how does it notify you of "new" posts in this thread. I just keep having to refresh the page. Ick.
Look for the "Cow Bell" in the to. Turns red when a new post appears in a thread you follow. Hover pointer over it to see the first Alerts. Not in any manual I saw. Best // Lessmog