^The recent change that I noticed is that there is an (OP) text next to the profile name who opened a post thread. But when it comes to software? Make it simple and the forum is fine with the current software. I agree with a few comments above, the forum is fine with the current setup if there are software changes, that would be on the new forum website, the Epochtalk.
Forum Rules may apply and we all know fighting spammers and scammers are the most priority among us here in the forum.
As of now, Bitcointalk is fine, the merit system works fine and it is very effective, additional improvements could be us, or those who are actively reporting posts, we are thankful to the top reporters who deserve to have badges under their profiles.