Could we have the number relating to each option visible?
ie: Unread posts since last visit - 56
New replies to your posts - 3
It can be even easier, why not have the 2 links only appear if there is something new?
That would be how I do it.
I'd actually do this:
If there's unread or new, show the link, like so:
Show New Posts (x)
Show Unread Posts (y)
This would add two very unneccessary queries to every page view, and slow down the forum more than you want to admit. Mod.
-[Unknown]