Forum software question: What does "watch" do?

[Joe Schmoe]

I've figured out "subscribe", but what does watch do?

[piglet]

Mine tells the time

I just wish the new posts links took you to new posts - not just to the last post in the thread with new posts.

VBulletin is so much better....

[meltwater]

Watch is a list of topics (see slightly to the left of the magnifying glass above for number of new watched topics with new posts).

[TheEponymousBob]

Watched topics show up in the watch list at the top right; I suspect subscribed topics will also send e-mail notifications if so configured.

[Joe Schmoe]

So, "Watch" is, effectively, a subset of "Subscribe"?  - it just shows up on the box that says "Number of new posts in watched topics" (next to the similar box for subscribed topics).

Bummer.  I was hoping that it would allow you to "monitor" a topic - have it automatically pop up new responses as they come in (so you get sort of the IRC/Chat room effect).

[meltwater]

Now to muddy the water...what about the RSS link, you tried that?

[Joe Schmoe]

No, I know nothing about "RSS".

[meltwater]

If you add the link to google reader or similar RSS reader it should update every time there is a post.  But if you don't already use RSS then don't worry.