Thanks for all the comments and posts. However, even with the new posts on top, I need to remember where I left off. That is why I liked the former check marks on the unread posts. Am I still missing something?
For the most part I like the new changes. One thing I miss though, is the little blue dot in front of threads that have new posts. Now I have to look at the date/time on the right to see if there is a new post in a forum. Can that be brought back?
So i think what you are both referencing does exist -- it's just indicated as a 'new' block on the right side. example below.

I had previously read the post by maju2001.
today, i clicked the link to the thread, and it takes you to /unread automatically. And if you scroll up from there, you'll see none are 'new'. and everything down from there will have the new indicator on it.
LMK if that helps.