I really think you would have a lot more activity here if you made a feature like you had on your last site that resembled the “pulse”
When comments are made and they come to the top, more people would converse about them, therefor having more reason to follow along everyday.
Seeing who commented, and on what, makes it more interesting to read and also comment.
Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.