I'm looking for way to automatically or with few efforts to track new
messages at various forums.
For instance, I have a list of 20 forums, but I'm interested only in
participating in certain discussions.

I recently obtained a PC that has of all OSs WIN ME.  Got a couple of
problems/questions need help with:
1. When starting up, it asks for User Name & Password, I can press CANCEL
and it starts okay.  Can I get rid of this nuisance?