Well tell you frankly Forum layout make more impact on getting active members as this is old forum and they have default theme as every vBullitine forum have so think if they changed it and make attractive and put some new features as GET added then i am sure every member will like it...what you think guys !
Yes layout also really plays an important role in attracting members apart from many other factors. The existing layout is more attractive than the temporary ones. Even today I made more posts than ever before in myhyip because of that reason only. It really seemed a standard forum and I was not able to navigate away from it. I was really attracted by the layout.
I hope they will put some more features too so that it can get more attractive.