>How do you "register" an ocx NOT using the setup wizard? If there is such a thing.

There is a FAQ named How to register an OCX on-the-fly?

>BTW, is there any way to filter out the chatter section? It's amusing but it turns my scrollbar button into a minute little spec and it takes forever to find messages from people who need help with something.

In the profile, the closest is to turn the non tech categories off.