Well if there could be an option to mark a topic as unread for all I think that would do the trick. Since we don't want every topic being bumped on an edit. If we could manage something like this that will work specifically for topic authors I'd accept the idea

Great one, it is the better option by now, you can add an option "Mark as unread" when you edit a post, it won't make your topic go up, and you can use it just if you modify something in the text (at least 15 characters).

If someone use it wrong (some trolls would edit old posts to make fun, but it wouldn't hurt much anyway, they can be banned if so too).

About the technique Kazekage and Kyubit were talking about...
I did it on my another forum, even before knowing MG, like 2 or more years ago, but the topic was closed (I found out when I get modded, the deleted posts don't dissapear, they just become hidden to non-mods, but a mod can delete 'em completely if needed).

Good ideas are Good.
I support them. Even when idea (2) seems unlikely.

Look what I found!

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... &t=1055665

Only problem here is that it will only work if the last post is edited. Though I bet this can be modified to work if the post is either last or first. I'll have to look into that if I find some time

It wans't an idea.
It was how it worked on my other forum, and it made everything messed up when people started repost the last posts to up the topics.

Is it still considered 'double post' if there is a period of time between the two posts, even though they are made by the same user?

yes

Then this is a good idea.