I also prefer the classic look. I have been lurking on slashdot for over a decade, and I DO NOT LIKE OR WANT this change. I agree with the comment to allow me to always use the desktop site. My tablet can handle it, and the mobile version just does not look good. My recommendation - kill the beta version - put it out of its miserable existence, and keep the simple classic version. PLEASE listen to your users. If the beta becomes permanent, Slashdot will become a site I visit lot less often, and I see from the comments I am not alone.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned this relevant publication:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/39082

Electric accordions have been around since the 1960s. I repaired electric organs, amplifiers, various musical electronics paying my way through schoolin the 60s and 70s. There were several electronic accordions - Titano and Elka are two manufacturers that come to mind. The polkas did sound different, but it was a neat thing at the time. This was even before MIDI became popular!