I'm very new to the site, so I don't know if this has been brought up before,
but I think some kind of quick reply box at the bottom of a topic page would be
very convenient, rather than having to click the reply box and have to go through the screens.

Here's an example taken from another forum that I attend, they made the quick reply box
about half a year ago, and it was probably their best addition.

Of course, the standard reply system would still be available for more complex posts (and those of you who haven't master the vB code http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v398/DoOrDie146/UG/quickreply.jpg

Photo taken from www.ultimate-guitar.com