I liked the old one better because it seems better setup and not so plain. But i guess i could get used to this layout if it is chosen, and i like in the new layout that news posters have pictures so you can easily tell who posted what.
i didnt see the old layout so im not one to comment on this but i do know that having a darker background is easier on the eyes than the lighter ones. *had my own board once upon a time*
The new layout is the same old layout except you kept the banner from the other layout and you left out the top naviagation bar. So in all the old layout is better because the new one isn't really new.