Making alternate items in the list of posts is helpful. However, the thing that causes me eye strain is the light colored or white text on a black or dark grey background.

I personally find the new forums much more difficult to look at. Not sure why, but when I'm looking at the forum now it feels like my eyes are straining. I think it is the increased contrast between the black and grey background.

I can see the attempt at alternating colors.  But is distracting for me I think because I am straining to see the lighter colored entries.   Might be useful for highlighting entries I haven't visited, though.

Hey it's worth trying things out but for me it's not an improvement.  Just my 2c.