Please don't take this the wrong way - but I would suggest: 1. a new design - something more "web 2.0" 2. the font-size is way too small, it's extremely hard to read 3. make an intro to each forum to let users know what topics to expect from each (and to know what doesn't fit in that topic) hope this helps!
Much too dark; add some color and maybe even a new cms. Needs some images in there aswell as a header. Maybe spread things out a bit more. The entire site looks extremely cluttered.
i definitely agree with all these posts. you'll want to go for a more 'friendly' look. i know black looks cool and so does dark blue, but it makes the place look like its hidden in some dark corner of the net