I apologize if this is already a feature and I simply missed this option.
I have a suggestion on a feature.
I understand and love being notified by email of thread updates for all the topics to which I have a set a "watch." (typically those articles that I either created or replied to).
What I am not too fond of is when I am watching a thread to which there are many replies, I do not like receiving multiple emails for every reply/update.
A nice feature would be -- a setting to enable/disable -- that would only send one email to let you know there have been updates to a particular thread you are watching and that you will not receive another email until your visit the thread and there is a future update.
I have seen this on other message boards and its really nice not to cloud up your email inbox letting you know there has been 30 updates (I don't need 30 emails).