The feature can be useful, as long as:
- There is an easy and logical way to quickly switch between the old forum view and the trending topics view. Tabs at the top might work (eg. Forum list, trending topics, subscribed topics next to each other), with an option to select which tab to set as the default home page.
- The new page is a clear extension of the existing site by virtue of using the same font, colours and page layout. This is my main reason for opting-out straight away. I find the trending topics page too amateurishly designed, too bright, and a complete mish-mash of styles and fonts that hurts my eyes when I look at it (metaphorically speaking). I really thought that there was a software glitch and the page had not loaded completely, it wasn't until the third refresh that I realised I was getting the same result every time (that says something about me as well I gues....).