I have been playing here quite a while. I love this place. A whole lot of good peeps here. Course every shard has a few bad apples. Yeah the afk macroing is a blessing from my POV. Most of the upper enchalant have been here a long time. So mining roughs, fishing/crab scripts has helped me catch up. Plus there was a wave of IDOC's I hit and with my script I cleaned house (so to speak) and made some mad cash.
I haven't had any issues with Staff. My understanding there was some bad apples there too that DX put the ban stick to. I have played other shards. I made so many friends in just the first week I couldn't imagine leaving. All this is my opinion though. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to shards. This one is kind of hard starting out but once you get the hang of it. It is an easier ride. I help out new players and most are welcomed and some take them under their wing. We had a wave of noob hey give me this I need help wave. Even after giving away millions to new toons and never see them again, I ask more questions and feel them out a little more before handing out freebies.
All in all I have played quite a few freeshards. Most I quit after a month. A few I played on for longer and never met anyone worth hanging out with. Maybe it was the luck of the draw of just being the right place right time. I like to think it is cause of the playerbase here is awesome you just have to overlook some of the rival PVP guild drama. Yet I have seen that on all shards that have PVP. I have played trammie servers. I think it adds some color and entertainment.