Alternative to Redirect Links as Forums

[Ocean West]

They are kind of a relic and had their purpose; in a pinch to redirect someone to another page / internally or externally. I am feeling that there needs to be a better alternative to forum as links.

Cons:

• they take up a lot of space (especially if you have more then one )
• they break continuity in the index 
• as a sub forum they take up a lot of space
• When a forum has been marked as read their icon never dims.
• They don't open in new window/tab without a hook/plugin

Pros:

• they count clicks
• observe permission matrix

Would like some way to add one or more "links" to a url that is tied to a specific forum / category - That visually appears as a link / button or something that doesn't waste a lot of space, and provides the ability to track counts and allow the target link to open in the same window or a new tab/window. Also be included in the permission matrix as to who will see the links.