I take back what I say regarding minimizing the quick reply box in order to have quotes default into the main box. It keeps expanding back out again, defeating the attempt. 
Missed this before - I actually thought it set a cookie to remember this setting on the current machine/browser, but apparently not.
http://www.wnff.net/index.php?action=profile;area=themeor "Profile > Look and Layout"
then choose "off by default" or "don't show at all"
(for anyone else who might wish to disable quick reply)
