Aaron : There are some things that look somewhat alike, but overall, I'd say they're pretty much different. They don't have the same "feel" to them.

Integrating the forum
Just gotta warn you about that one, most of the way I've seen it done fell way short of what it should be.

For example, do not, under any circumstance put the forum in a "normal" SL page, as in, keeping the menus. That is both awful, and will make sure that people that do not run high resolutions will not return. All of that takes up some big screen space width wide. I personally run my IE windows at ~850-950 usually, and I'd expect that width to be ok for most things.

The new design
Empty gray space at the top : ugly, waste of space, either find something useful to put there, or make the search engine fill it up, by adding some options to it, not too many though, don't overcrowd the thing. Or, move the newsletter bit there, it would fit nicely, I think.

The search button looks odd and out of place for some reason. I think I'd get rid of the blue halo and replace it with a darker gray.

Slight graphic glitch at the DSL thing : The GFX aren't aligned, small bug, but still there Put the font at "Largest" to notice it well.

Yellow buttons : they seem to float, and don't take up much space, leaving too much blank IMHO. Some blank space is nice, just don't overdo it. Make them wider somewhat, and maybe tone down the color ? as it is they are the biggest attraction of the page, while the news and articles should be.

Featured article : put some bright color to attract attention, maybe a sharp blue border for the pic ? It's featured, it should attract attention.

Dotted lines : surprisingly nice, never thought of using such things myself, but they blend in nicely.

Text : too much black, include some different color too, as in, use 2 text colors all over, Titles and normal text maybe ?

Menus : The bubbles irk me, though opinions on those will vary wildly. Something about them screams unneeded to me, it's be better as one menu with separations in it IMHO

Page wide ad : fits in better than normal sized one in the design, although, are there many ads of that size out there ? to provide some cycling and all.

SL's motto : "Your logical choice for computing and technology" feels like it's missing a word ... "information" maybe ?

Site Sections logo : doesn't seem to have the same theme as the other logos do. They are mainly blue, gray and black, while that one is blue and yellow.

[ Remember, you asked for comments ]

[EDIT] : Closing the bold tags looks MUCH better

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