OK so I added another message and can see all the messages are there, but older ones push down and are less visible.
I'm willing to try and use it when we start posting rides locally (using a Yahoo group which suits is). It will be easier than creating a new thread. But agree the ability to discuss things, or even be able to see the info may not work well, especially if people are not using it.
When I clicked the history button it replaced the thread posts I was reading with an area showing the shoutbox entries in a similar style (by date/time, who posted, and content broken up by post).