Hi Trevor,
The colour of background is a clickable option as per Configuring the forum for your personal tastes.
The new Forum has many advantages over the previous. Please see Why do we have a new forum?.
I find it for easier for casual reading as well as reporting and following up issues.
We are doing far more than aesthetics - we have hired staff and implemented systems for product development and support. Hopefully you will soon see the results of this expansion.
We understand you have long wanted Chart Annotations. It is certainly on the enhancement lists for the next version of Charts. Hopefully when it is releases you will be happier. We shall likely need testers/suggestions on the new functionality.
Wishing you Compliments of the Season.
Cheers
Ian