Let's see if text entry works better for a swipey keyboard than was the case for the old forums ... so far, so good.
So from my perspective a huge improvement for that alone. On the other hand white text on a black background is vastly inferior to black on white on my hi-res tablet screen. This forum shows that black on white is possible, so how about the option to select it for the Elite Dangerous forums. I'd rather have a readable theme than a space one.
For the rest, unfamiliarity always creates difficulties. It'll take time to see whether on balance more of the changes constitute an improvement than a decrement - there'll surely be both gains and losses.
But once again, love the better text entry. I can now spend more or my time thinking about what I'm writing and less screaming in frustration at the screen!
Edit: and I didn't have to edit this post at all ... I mean, I did, but I didn't have to.