@rocketsilo - all of this will be addressed in the next version. Good points you make.
Do want to point out one thing though. The site is designed to fit 1024x768. At that resolution there are no 'black' sidebars as seen on larger resolutions. Actually you don't really even see the orange flames running vertically at that resolution.
I know of other sites that place ads EVERYWHERE, ads, ads, ads, ads. I don't want to do that and the decision was to have them in one spot only, and when scrolled down to content they are not in your face all the time.
Jmac - ah - I see what you mean. With the current software I can't do that however - the next version might be able to. I know DK and I have been talking about alot of features that a specifically meant to make seeing the content you want to see much easier.