It will cull it a lot and there will be few new members. Lastest posts is too difficult to read, a self-search takes forever and it is impossible to get a fast overview of news.
When I first came on line, FR got my attention because it was unlike all the other forums. Clean, fast and not cluttered.
When Freepers that are already "in the system" react like this, my concern is how the new format will catch and hold new Consevatives coming to FR for the first time.
The Internet is filled with clutter. Only sites that catch the eye and hold it succeed.
As others have pointed out, Drudge Report is a success because of it's simplicity. Even the most computer-phobic individual with an IQ five degrees above room temperature can navigate it to it's full potential right off the bat.
Those of us who have been around FR for a while will take the time to learn the new software, customize our settings and do just fine. New viewers may give the new hi-tech FR a five second view and move on.
When I first cane to FR, what caught my eye was the mix of posts of all types of Conservative topics all on one screen. After living on the Left Coast for so long, it was like walking into a smorgasbord after starving for 10 years.
The other thing that caught my eye was the "Breaking News" sidebar that made FR replace Yahoo News as my daily news site. The "Breaking News" sidebar was almost always way ahead of the news in comparison to Yahoo or other sites due to the efforts of Freepers to scour the entire Internet and be first to post an important story.
I would suggest that the first entry into FR be made on the old, simple format. After registering, the new Freeper should be given a month or so to get familiar with the site. The newbie can then be given instructions to move into the new format. Ample training in the "HTML Bootcamp" style should be provided before and during the transition.
By that time, the newbie should be hooked.
As in fishing, if you try to set your hook too soon, you will lose the fish.