>>but need more context for each thread than tracking and only seeing what the immediately previous comment said with the newest comment, rather than seeing the last 10 comments in a straight row.
You can do this now by using the "flat" link on the comment page - it de-threads all comments and lists them in strict order of posting, so you can read, oh, the last 10 comments in a straight row. It's not perfect (it hides any structure with the threading, except what's revealed by subject lines) but I thought I'd mention it in case you didn't know - it's completely changed the way I follow large discussions.
no subject
You can do this now by using the "flat" link on the comment page - it de-threads all comments and lists them in strict order of posting, so you can read, oh, the last 10 comments in a straight row. It's not perfect (it hides any structure with the threading, except what's revealed by subject lines) but I thought I'd mention it in case you didn't know - it's completely changed the way I follow large discussions.