This is a request that I would like to see rewritten or otherwise clarified. Perhaps this is because I'm having a bit of problem visualizes the problem as described. I will admit that I rarely use the scroll bar, per se ... although I use the ends of the scroll bar frequently. More frequently I simply scroll within the panel using the up and down arrow keys - the equivalent of the "drag" mode that is mentioned as the 4th potential solution .... which makes me wonder if this is a matter of training rather than a system modification.
I would be unhappy with scroll bars that did not behave as I expect from my other applications. I would be unhappy with major changes to how the reference box behaves. But others are free to disagree and if they do I would like to hear their reasoning.
