I don't like the new look. I have to scroll down a full page just to read any posts and the google adds on the right -> are stealing way too much space.

Good access to the rest of the site is a good idea, but this isn't a perfect implementation of it. A better idea would be to use flash pop-out menus. For example, see those 'by style' and 'by inspiration' menus on the left? Those could be made to fit in a very small area instead of taking up two inches of forum width.