[SDB]

Hi

Without looking up the exact procedure, if you use that tutorial, but replace the word "views" with the word "replies".. or possibly "replycount", or similar, it will do the same.

Doing it this way you'll probably learn a little more about why you're doing this, etc so its probably worth doing it that way

re the second part of your question, I wouldn't personally remove these, they are important barometers of how popular a thread is.

Let us know if you need more specific help on the main part of your question.