>>>Sure. See attached
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>>Ok, all appears normal at this point except for the fact that the Google ads are not there. I wonder how you succeeded to avoid seeing that. There should be a section for that on the upper right right under the MereMortals banner.
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>>As for the background of the main content area, I am trying to find a background color that would do. The problem is that the background color is being shown more widely now. So, having the same background color all over for such a wide area is not that good either. I tried light and dark versions and it is not any better. I also tried white and it was worst. I will however have some enhancements in the way the top 10 news are being shown (the ones under the login). So, that would help.
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>I actually don't mind the new colors and layout (too much) :o) One thing though, I think displaying the last few messages and threads right below the login area (as it used to be) is a better idea because that tells folks who go to that login page immediately that it is (primarily) a forum site with much more as well.

Personally I'd toss the banner image - far, far too busy looking. There is so much on the page that IMHO there is no room for any extraneous images at all.

The colors don't bother me too much (keep in mind my wife picks out my clothes if we go out anywhere fancy).

I agree with putting the thread list under the login - make it more prominent. News and stuff can be in the sidebar.

Not sure how many are bandwidth-challenged on here anymore, but I'd guess anyone who is would really dislike waiting for the page to load.