I’ve not read the whole thread but I’m sure someone else has already pointed out that we are already crowd funding the forum with clickthrough ads for Russian brides, viruses and websites offering to explain how we make £1000 a day 😉
Anyway, more functionality would make the forum easier to use, not harder and the current layout could basically be maintained. Luddites arguing that it’s fine, or that no changes are needed don’t internet much.
Add a feature that stops people arguing endlessly about trivia.
Avatars would go a long way to this because people would actually remember people (and not start randomly arguing ). They needn’t be flashing straps or anything. Just a small avatar to help with putting virual names to virtual “faces”.