I always go flat view, and only swith to tree when I can't figure out which post a particular post is replying to.

Much better if you are most interested in the most recent comments.

But for whatever reason I need to switch to tree if I need to edit a post.

Any way to make flat default view?

At the top right you'll see boxes marked "Tree" and "Flat." Choose Flat and you'll remain in that mode unless or until you change it again.

Much preferred over flat format.

That will make the discussion board view either tree or flat. You can set that to flat so you just see each of the topics that have been started and then click the topic and choose to see that in tree or flat as we. I prefer reading the topics in tree while leaving the top level discussion board in flat.

now I've gotten so used to using "Flat' it's all I use.

delving into deep meaningful subjects.  
What kind of milk do you prefer in your coffee? I'm a whole milk guy. but I know some people like non-dairy. So what's your favorite? Oat? Soy? Almond?

Yeah when I was new on here I didn't realize you could edit the post in only one out of two modes. Like the edit option wouldn't even appear in the other mode.