Marking a thread as "read"
 

Is it possible to mark entire threads as "read" even though I didn't read them (I've seen this option before). If so, how do I do this?

at the bottom of the main page, there is a link 'mark all threads as read'.

In other words, read all the threads that you want to read, skipping the ones you don't want to read, and then mark all threads as read.

Well.....
 

Thats what Ive been doing for ages. I have to say, it works. ;)

and here's some insight as to how and when the icons all change, etc

Single Thread
 

Is there a way to mark a single thread as having been read without marking all threads as having been read?

not that i know of.

i guess...click on the link, let the page load, don't read it, then hit the back button would be the only way i can figure out ... :)