Yes - can be scripted - there are some scripts around that may help.
Search or look around.
Having said that - there are some issues attached to doing what you want and the result wont be perfect as lifts are not designed by default to do what you are asking. I do believe that someone had found a solution overcoming all of the issues but have no idea where to find the thread now.
A forum index structure by category would certainly be very helpful - but thats not the way it is or is likely to ever be. Dont think Ive ever seen a forum quite that well organised.
In FPSC lifts go up or down but not both by default. Messing with defaults is tricky as the engine is not designed to accept your chnages so the results can often be less than perfect in many situations.
"I am and forever will be your friend"