How do you read the forums

Hi,

With all due respect, these forums are THE WORST that I have come across anywhere on the WorldWideWeb.

Not in terms of content: amazingly helpful people abound.

But in terms of user experience, especially speed (like molasses in winter): both load times, and sluggish text entry (with occassional extra line feeds for good measure).

Now, I'm wondering if there are any other ways of reading the forums other than through the regular web interface? I remember fondly the days of access by NNTP, but that, I understand, no longer exists (too efficient, I guess).

But I do remember reading somewhere that someone was developing an Air application to read the forums. Maybe that's better. Does that exist? Does it work?

Otherwise, any other methods that people here can recommend?

Many thanks,

Ariel