Just wanted to say that I'm really liking the new "inbox zero" popup when checking appreciates! I've noticed several iterations of icons/notification count bubbles in the appreciates icon on the top left of every thread page, and think that this new inbox zero with a red count bubble is my current favorite.
I assume that you know that the icon sometimes does not reflect new unread appreciate notifications (why I check and saw the new inbox zero feature), and are in the process of debugging it. The old forum software also had the same annoying glitch at times.....
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