Glad to see our ideas jive yet again, Cap'n.
Are you sure we're not related... as in twins, one knows what the other is thinking? 
From what I'm reading, here and in other threads, the new format is not being well received and that long-term customers are not liking the commercial overtones to the new site... and given I dislike advertising at the best of times, I can understand that. We (long-term customers/subscribers) already have/know about the products, so their constant reminder (via ads) is unnecessary.
In my experience (probably many others, too), blatant, persistent advertising if off-putting and a damned annoyance, so much so, that I will purchase a 'less conspicuous' competitor's product rather than give in to the 'force it down my throat' approach. And that applies to 'in your face' TV, internet, newspaper and letterbox advertising... it ALL pisses me off. So yeah, the new site needs to be more user friendly for subscribers/owners of the software. Moreover, we are aware of Impulse and can go there if we have queries or an interest in a product (mentioned in forums, etc) that we don't already have.
In my opinion, the soft-sell approach works better, even for new customers, as well as old. Stick a glary banner in somebody's face and it can be confronting and/or intimidating. Not that hard-sell intimidates me... I just think "fuck off" and go about my business. However, I digress. No, what captures my interest more than a 'in-your-face' banner is a few, wisely chosen words that describe a product and its abilities... and if my interest is aroused, I like to see how it works. In other words, a well constructed textual ad with a link to further information (an instructional video, as Brad has used in the past) is more likely to result in a purchase than a glary/loud banner that's just gonna piss me off.
My opinion, yes, but I'll bet my 'lefty' I'm not the only one who thinks it.
