Hi Dave,
Do you get that error on a new install?

Hi, I had to remove the forum due to relentless spam.

Did anything change? datasource, path?
I would try restarting CF if possible.

Hi David,
Can you explain this request a little more?

What are asking is relatively easy to implement. The issue are the archives, categories, etc. Should be count include the members-only posts, etc?

If it is only to test plugin changes, you could also click on Reload Configuration in the cache section, that would reload any plugin changes you made.

We can add a page for comments.
There already is a place to add comments to a post. Since you are already logged in, the commenter will be an author, which can be styled from the theme (it is the same behavior as when you add a comment with an email address matching an author)