Which do you like better?

Set 1



Set 2

I like set 2, very colorful. :D

I prefer Set 1 because, even though I don't really like the whole envelope motif, it's actually clearer what topics have new posts and which don't in comparison to "closed notebook = new posts", and "open notebook = old posts"... though the tiny cover designs on the notebooks symbolizing what each topic really is (an asterisk for hot, a vertical line normal, and a column graph for poll) are neat.

So it's sort of a "do you want to make it clearer where there are new and where there are old posts, or do you want to make it clearer what kind of topics they are" choice, and I'd go with "new vs. old".

I gotta go with Loco. While the second set looks nicer, it overcomplicates the simple functionality of the existing set. One quick glance and you know if there are new posts. Then there's more time for Katamari! :D

not to sway anyone's opinions, but i don't care much for the second set either. to me it feels kinda cluttered, like you said, over complicated.

yep. most people are gonna say the same thing i think.
set one conveys the message quick and simple which is what an icon should do.
set 2 is very pretty but all the shading kinda throws me off.

Set 1 was better... Set 2 looks nice, but messy...