Re: The backwards strings:
I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about but what I did was to go into 'Control Panel', look on the left side towards the bottom. You'll find 'Default Form View Method' set that to FLAT. Next, find 'Default Thread View Method' set that to NESTED.
Again, I have no idea if that will cure anything, but mine is reading correctly now. I'm looking for an emoticon that means idunno, but I din't see one. How about

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nmmike