I don't visit here directly.
I load the following link into Thunderbird which I use for email on a desktop computer.
Thunderbird then periodically checks the RSS feed to see if any new posts were made. The new posts come to me like an email.
Unfortunately, it doesn't specify what post is new, so I have to scroll down and figure it out based upon the time and date of the new post. I've got the Thunder Browse plugin which allows me to web surf in my email program, but I usually open the site in my browser if I actually want to respond to something posted.
I have a message board on Proboards, but I shut it down. I can't stand the version 5 changes they made.
I had a back-up option which I'd signed up for years ago. It is pretty much a clone of the Proboards version 4.
I use that instead but have to add hundreds of custom spam filters because the host is under constant attack.
Proboards is probably a lot more proactive at blocking spammers at a higher level.
There are just too many drag and drop setup options to say whether Proboards is what you don't like.
It could be the settings chosen at the time of setup.
Version 5 is supposed to be easier to setup and more compatible with phones, but I find the menus and navigation side of things to be poorly described and counter-intuitive.
If I had to go back to Proboards, I would quit hosting a board altogether.
I prefer darker themed colors with greater contrast because I'm getting old and my eyes struggle too much with the yellow, gray, and white colors all being on the lighter side.
It isn't horrible, just not my preference. Maybe I'm agreeing with you about the colors.
I try to minimize "pinned" topics because most seem to be stagnant threads that just make people scroll down to read the new content.
I guess that since I'm not coming here and looking for what's new across the whole, I'm not dealing with the problem you are.
My software points me directly to the threads, I just have to find the specific posts.