Strange... I thought that until recently it was usual that you were automatically subscribed to a thread in which you reacted or one that you started. Is this not the case anymore?
You should be, check your options tab, and make sure they all say yes. http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/member.php?s=&action=editoptions
But that has only to do with e-mail notifications or PM's. I just notice that a thread in which I react or which I started is not in my "subscribed threads" under account home anymore. From what I remember, it was in the past.
Actually the option is there, its the 4th one from the top. However to make sure your getting all that you can I would suggest saying yes to all of them just in case something is holding it up. As to your second question, on the bottom right of the home section you will see "Show threads from ... "change that to "the beginning" and see what happens. http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/usercp.php?s=
Ahh, now I understand. Normally you subscribe to get an e-mail. However, I only want to subscribe to get the topics under "subscription", so the word e-mail didn't ring a bell. But now it should work. Probably I turned it off some months ago because I didn't see the use of it. Thanks!