Possible option for future versions of vBulletin
 

How about an option for pop up notifications (just like PM's) when someone on your buddy list logs in?

Also, I don't know if this is a bug or working as designed but it doesn't seem that the # of views a thread has gets updated correctly. Currently there's a thread with only 2 views but with 5 replies. That doesn't make sense since someone would have to view the thread in order to reply to it.

Yes, there should be at least the same number if not more of views than posts. :) I will watch this and see what is happening too. :)