Shorter is a definite improvement.
I ALWAYS ENJOY THE NIGH AND TIGHT JUS WONDER IF ITS BETTER THAN MY SLY LOOK ALSO A LITTLE CURIOUS ABOUT EVERYONES OPINION OF THE FACIAL HAIR, I HAVENT BEEN WITHOUT MY FULL GOATEE SINCE ABOUT HIGH SCHHOOL
The Foo-Manchoo looks cool, man (some call it "a handle bar").
"After" is definitely cleaner, more deliberate. "Before" looks like ya been stuck on a fishing boat for a year.
The after of course. Don;t take this as a critical remark, but it would seem you're not "up tight" about hair care anyway, so shorter is the trip for you.
The HNT looks good... definitely don't grow it out like the other pic -- that's one of the looks that causes me to shake my head, 'why?' Your flashing avatar makes me blind, so I can't tell how good you look totally shaved. By the way, I like the handlebar. I wanted to try that out until my wife freaked out that I would even suggest it.
Short looks good!
Plus the foo looks good!