I come on here to read regularly but don't post much, but if I could explain.
The forum has a load of stuff at the top called 'important threads'. Most to me are not. I do enjoy reading, but the layout is not conducive to finding new stuff fast. Get rid of them, sort out the categories and sections etc., if any posts are important put them at the top of a relevant section as 'sticky' so they stay there a while but not too long. Regular visitors will know to scroll down, newcomers will think the place has died.

I'm not having a dig, I know how forums work and it is an instant switch off for visitors for the 'important thread' to be 8 days old. The threads on here are getting quite a lot of views so there is still interest.

Apologies for being off topic as well but the topic swayed away from the original post so I'll allow myself one post.

Cheers ! Steve E