Comments on the new website design and especially the front page layout

[capthook]

First - as always, great thanks to Stefan for all he does and hosting this great site.

As to the new website design:

Mostly for the better.  But here's what could be done further IMO:

Frontpage (home page/start page)
1. Implement a recent topics layout like before.  (And like in the rest of the forum still is).  Like the attached picture.  You know - Subject, Started by, Replies, Views, Last post.  And increase the number of topics shown by like 3x.  This forum is all about eyeballs.... the more is seen the more interest is generated and the more dynamic the discussion (and the more page views $$  )  The activity on a topic quickly drops when it's no longer on the recent topics frontpage.
Yes, you can track unread topics in the user menu, but this requires too much maintenance IMO.
This is the biggest bummer on the new site design for me.  And it seems the overall page views, visits, interest etc. has dropped off since the new design.  I know MY interest, visits etc. has dropped off massively due to the added difficulty staying abreast of recent activity with the current front page.

2. get rid of the large (annoying) overunity banner.

Other:
1. Reinstate extended formatting - underline, italics, strikeout etc
2. Reinstate avatars

Mostly the new site design is ok and it seems to run alot smoother.
But, the current frontpage layout is a HUGE bummer!

(and oh - my session timed-out while posting this - so I had to resubmit  )

Anyone else with comments/suggestions on the new design?

[mindsweeper]

I hate it, it's gareish and unsettling to the eye. It also takes much longer to load.

An option for the old style would be much apreciated.

[UserCSSforOpera]

blue design is better

[capthook]

Nice to see an additional 'recent topics' section added... even if it is only as what appears to be a 'work around' by adding it to the (scrunched) left column.
Thanks for adding it... but I still miss the old format!!

And OH BOY is that freeenergytv youtube on the front page annoying!@!
Talk about bandwidth/space waste.
And the bouncing pictures just below it.

I vote: Get rid of those two things (at least the vid!) and implement and 'old way' kind of expanded recent topics on the front page.

And of course, thanks for all you do Stefan!

[capthook]

Well, still wishing for a better forum design - more like the old software....

Stefan, have you ever looked at vBulletin?
http://www.vbulletin.com/

Awesome forum software for a good price.

Here is an example of a thriving forum using vBulletin:
http://forum.cockos.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

The old forum design/software was great, the new forum is .......... less so, and with vBulletin might be truly awesome!

Please?!? 

(and that freeenergytv youtube on the front page reloading over and over has me wanting to smash my computer into little pieces  )