Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
More than anyone else, I recognize the need for changes and fixes around here. The home page isn't even relevant anymore. The design is beyond dated, the forums require fixes/upgrades, and the fan edit wiki needs a complete overhaul.
The issue until now has been time. I started a new job in May, moved, and began a freelance project that is just now winding down. Prior to that, I was scrambling to find a job and do whatever I could to line up freelance work.
Now that my schedule is opening up, I'm free to return to my personal projects, which include ot.com. I've already gotten back to work on finishing the next forum upgrade and will have that completed soon. The thing to keep in mind is that the list of requests/fixes/changes is so long that I can't get to everything immediately. Just as an example, yesterday I rewrote the avatar/photo upload utility so that it can accept images of any size and resize them appropriately. That's one seemingly small thing, but it took about 6 hours of programming and debugging to get it working properly. Consider that I have a list of about 75 "small" things and you can begin to grasp the amount of work involved. I'm not saying I need to finish all 75 things before I post an update, but you get the idea. I've considered putting the redesign first and forum upgrades second, but the phrase "lipstick on a pig" comes to mind :)
There is a new petition coming. I built the engine and had it working months ago. I just need to finish the new site design and skin it. I won't even go into the issues surrounding the fan edit wiki. I built it in such a hurry that I look at it today and wonder what the hell I was thinking. The changes coming to the wiki are substantial.
Right now, the forum is going through its usual summer lull like many online communities. Fewer people are surfing and watching fan edits because they're outside enjoying the weather, so it's a good time to be going through a rebuilding phase. My goal is to have the first in a series of forum updates posted in about two weeks, with the petition soon to follow. The wiki enhancements will take a lot of time, so I'm hesitant to provide a timeframe for that right now. I need to get back into the code, which I haven't looked at in 2 years, and work out a plan.
All your suggestions and recommendations are noted, and I hope you understand that nothing you request is ignored. I will get things in order around here in due time.
I'd also like to extend a personal thanks to Moth3r for keeping this place in line while providing regular nudges to remind me that there's a lot left to be done. His regular posts in the admin section detailing his thoughts on improving the site are very valuable. He really is your biggest advocate and you should be glad he's here to carry the torch for you.
Thanks again for your suggestions. I'll post more updates as I continue working.