May I suggest, livening up the place?
 

The theme of the forum is rather depressing. Dark forums make me wanna cut myself. I suggest a theme change to a lighter tone :)

There was talk of finding or making another theme for the forum, never seemed to go anywhere. I started working on one but didn't get too far with it.

Edit: Here's a screenshot of what I got done. I'm not really happy with it and it's only a couple hours of work. http://ian.ipfail.com/images/screenshots/nexo-ss4.jpg

That seriously is much much better than this dark "techy" one. I feel it would be a great improvement. Also, what makes this forum appear dead is the threads get scrapped and you have to change the settings at the bottom.
"There have been no posts in the last 30 days in this forum.
Try using the controls below to search for any older posts that may exist. "

I say, for now atleast, have the threads appear :)

Yeah, having the default cutoff set to 30 days is annoying. I'm pretty sure it's an easy fix if any admins are still around.

And if there's any amount of interest in me continuing on with that template, I'll dig up the files and work on it.

Admins, it's on you! Let's make it happen capn'! Dragoon is ready and willing. It's easy to accept fate but let's not forget that everything about this forum is already perfect the way the topics are laid out. I know you all are busy with school but I'm feeling all warm inside imagining this place as it once was. :D

I still think the main thing we're missing is a hook, something to actually draw new members and retain them. Interesting/useful content. One suggestion I'd posted in the now-absent contributor board was that we could offer incentives to members who wrote reviews of products or media, and then select and approve the good ones to be posted. For any reviewed products/media that Amazon sells, we could add an affiliate referral link to the end of the review to support the site.

That's actually a very good idea. Increasing revenue to a forum whilst having your work appreciated through an incentive such as a custom user tag will also work. I would also suggest gaming. Everyone games, I would base the whole forum around that. After all, it worked when it was NH 5-7 years ago. Programmers like to show off their skills where it'll be appreciated. I believe this would be the place :)

Started working on that template again. Mocking up a new version before I start implementing anything in vB. I'll post screenshots when it's in a more presentable form.

Well I can't speak for Iridium, but I for one can't wait. :D And very much appreciated.