3
It doesn't need to be a new forum fork...
hummm, maybe just a new interface.
As modules use templates you are able to modify the interface
the way its most convinient to your project.
Remove some navigation options, change colors, etc. can help you to get an user friendly interface. While change the default feature's placement may be an information architecture challenge task to achieve.
P.S. Check xhnewbb forum module, for "effective simplicity"!
I like people more than machines or money. But that's me!
Lets do something good and great: Lets do open source!