I hate all the ads! I agree that the column on the left needs to go.
We will be adding a lot of new features to the site and primarily our work will be done on making them work properly with the new layout first, and then the other optional layouts after that.
You can always switch back to the old layout if you wish in your User CP. However, what don't you like about the new layout?
Also, the 200+ post change was feedback I had been giving now for about a year. It happened yesterday. Before this new skin change, which has nothing to do with the 200+ post feedback now.
what perks does a subscriber get?