Oh definitely. I think most people never think about the New Posts button. A lot of the more casual forum go'ers also seem to stop posting on a topic once it disappears from the Hot Topics or SE-Posted lists too. I wonder if a rep advertised the New Posts button if more folks would see it.

or making a slightly controversial topic entitled "New Posts [bait goes here]".

It may be worth it if the former doesn't happen :-)

/conspiracy