Date of creation would be the same as the date of the first post. I'm not exactly sure why you would really even need to know it.

As for the other thing, you yourself can alter your view of the forums in a few exciting and interesting ways. Have a look at the top of this page. You will see a button that is labeled "used cp." Click it and it will take you to your individual control panel. From there, you can edit your profile, receive private messages and edit your options. Toward the bottom of the edit your options page, it gives you several areas in which to alter the way you view these forums. Have a look and see what you can do.