Well, there's a number of issues you have converging here.

!. Security threats. You really can't have any idea how hard it is to keep up with the attacks on the old software.

2. I did post a short summary of what you can do with the new Software, in this very section.

3. Like so much about software, things change in the interface conventions and the way things work. Yes, it's good to be familiar with something, however, technology, like so many things, is a river, and if you cling to the shore, you never learn where the river leads.

4. I really, strongly, strongly, strongly advise you to take a look at the "My Stuff" and "Portal Page" - there's a LOT you can mess with there to get the forums working in a way you like.

As an admin, this update has been VERY positive, and all in all, it seems like it's been working well for the majority of the users here.

Like learning how to operate a new tool, it's worth the effort.