When someone changes their status or announces, please have a small box where we can insert our comments.  The current way of answering status comments is too long-winded.

There is a box, if you click on the status.

Really! I'll try again.

Click on the time tag for the update.

Mate, I still end up at the person's account and the status is interspersed with their replies to threads.  It's a lot tidier if a little box appeared on the home screen where we could write instant answers.  Unless I am getting this wrong!

Are you referring to these boxes on the home page?

If you click the "1 reply" link (or the "Saturday at 12:15 PM" link), you'll be taken directly to that status update, not just to their general profile page.

Another one of the many hidden links throughout the new software.

IOW, don't click on the user name.

Thanks for the replies guys (nice to hear from you Cap'n). I am just being over-lazy.