I don't have an Alerts button, or my username/inbox up there. This is an old computer, though, so it might be because of a not-up-to-date browser.
That is what mine looks like. No inbox or username stuff. But in my case it is because I enlarged the computer text using Control + .
At home, my browser opens full-screen, and I can see all the buttons. At work I don't use the browser full-screen, and the buttons over the search bar are often missing. (They are covered up by the search, not really gone.) I can make them appear again by stretching the window to the side, and there they are. As mentioned by Freesia, "control -" works, as well.
I asked about this in the VV " 'How To' guide " thread, and the next time I logged on to VV, the problem was gone (for me).It seems I love VV too much, baby.
I've looked a dozen times this evening and cannot find the "log out" button ANYWHERE. Is this a deeply-rooted conspiracy to keep me from fulfilling my duty as a Secret Santa participant?