I'm going to try upgrading the forum software this weekend. I am not yet sure how this will impact forum access in the process, but my plan is to run a database backup tonight (1/22/16, 22:00 CST), and then to attempt the software upgrade either Saturday night or Sunday morning.
There will likely be some interface changes associated with this, as our menu system (menus on the left) run on a separate software plugin that will need to be upgraded as well. I will do my best to maintain the core functionality of the forum, and restore it to the closest approximation of our current setup that I can, as I am able.