First off, I'll say that new design looks reasonable and has a similar feel while including a lot more information. I have only used it for a few minutes so far, it looks cleaner although I'll never be one to link a paypal or google account. Now, to the point of the post. What is up with the ugly, childish and poor english cartoons around the site? It really degrades the professional feel of the forum when you stumble across these pathetic meme's. Now, I might be in a minority but I think there are much better graphic representations you could use which don't resort to a playschool feel. Plus it feels like you're trying to shove digitalpoint services down our throats, I understand you are trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of your audience but there is only a small subset who will ever buy advertising on this site.
Actually, the way it's set up, you will see it far less than the on the old site. If you dismiss it, you will never (ever) see it again. While that was not the case with the old site.