I see this thing in my User CP about how I have no subscribed threads, and I see under the posting I'm making right now about "thread subscription" and "email notification." I'm confused: what exactly is entailed in "subscribing" to a thread? Does it involve getting an email every time there's a new posting (I don't want that), or is there a way to have the links to threads you are following all in one handy place when you come to the forum? If the latter, how do I "subscribe" to a thread?

Sorry if this has been answered hundreds of times before, but I've been looking for an answer for an hour now, and I can't find it.

Subscribing to a thread is a thread you want to be notified when there is a new posting. If you want an email everytime there is a posting they will send you one, if not then don't check the box. When you want to see your subscribed threads then check it in "Quick links" at the top of the page where the user cp is located and you can check it there.