...with the replies under the post replied to instead of in order of time posted. Reading in flat mode now makes more sense.

Try picking a big thread with lots of branches, and then put it in flat mode and read it.

on the thread just below this it doesn't. But look down in Tidwell's thread where scarphidren (sp) comments. His replie shows up in the right place in flat. Seems it's not consistent

Even in tree mode. I think that's why that thread works out. When I read your OP here I thought "Great! Finally !" I was hopeful, but then in trying it out on different threads I see no difference from how it has been.

...opning each post is a pain.