The new board IS EASIER to use, once you know how...here is why...
 

Did you know that when you go to What's New, you can just glide your mouse over each message and the small window will come up showing you part of the text? This way, you can see if you really want to open the entire post.
If you click on your email address at the top banner, then look to the left column, you can see everything you posted, everything you have read...etc. It really is easier...once you get the hang of it. I am sure there are other goodies I have not discovered yet, but if you find some, please post!
Michelle

Not sure about "email address at top banner"....I'm not seeing that???

I don't see my email in a banner either.

Same here, no email at the top. But, I found the best tip was to go down to the bottom of the page & click on "Archive" which is next to "Contact Us." This brings you to a list of items in each category (Main, Pictures, etc.) It is similar to the old board. When you click on a title to look at it, it turns from blue to pink to show you have read it. Then you go back to that page for the next topic. You don't keep getting the same topics over and over again & you can tell which one you have seen. That's the only page I use to browse around the board now.

For me it's my username - it's in the top right, "Welcome, JulieR". To the right of that are the links for notifications, my profile, settings and logout. You can also access it via My Profile.

Mine is my username too. I don't mind the new forum at all. I'm a member of several other forums (not quilting) and they have changed several times over the years. You get used to it and can't remember what the previous one was like. :)

Sill takes me longer to read this board than before. I just give up after while.

It is all in the knowing how to use something - - - although some things are MUCH easier to learn and use than others - -

Sewing machines, word processors, computers, computer programs, 18-gear transmissions - - - learning to use equipment can be frustrating!

I feel like it's a chore to read this board layout. It seems too cluttered. It is free but not as easy to follow as the other formats. I'm not excited about reading the board as I use to be. I don't recommend it to other quilters as I use to.

BellaBoo, Try the archive method I posted above. It's more like the old board. I'm much happier now that I found it.