I just put both of them up side by side again.
I still like the message on a plain white background better than the colored/shaded one.
The larger type is tolerable. I can still read both of them without a problem, but for those with vision problems, it might be helpful.
And I still like more separation between the individual postings. They seem to run together with just that thin line between them.
I think the reply and quote reply buttons are overly large.