Ok, here comes the un-bias hammer on the way.
Ok, I'll admit, I haven't played WOW but I do know most everyone that went to WOW came back to DAoC with the gripe that WOW was way too easy to level and there was never quite a challenge.
Handling the subject of immature chat channels, those will always be around, but generally in DAoC your chat is just tells if you're not guilded, then if you are it's merely guild and alliance.
To respond to the one who said "DAoC's strategy will never be replaced" sorry to say, I'm a big DAoC fan, but the one thing I conceded in disappointment is, it is rare that you can find a strategic group leader. Normally it is zerg until there's nothing left to zerg. So disregard that statement unless you find the few "diamonds in the rough".
Catacombs' release was DAoC's way of debunking the statement "a casual new gamer can't get into the game". Instanced dungeons brought loads of experience and cash from level 1 to 50, and they're easily doable within an hour as well. I'm casual and I've recently got my ranger to level 40 (I do take serious gaming grind days during vacations). DAoC does require you have some knowledge of grouping, but if you're more interested in PVE killing you can sign up for ML Raids and Arti encounters and the likes, you're ok there anyhow.
I will say that in comparison yes, DAoC does look like Astro-Physics compared to WOW (Based on what I've heard), and to play it well, you need a level of skill and knowledge, but if you really want a game that preferrs strategy to be successful, look into EQ. When I left it was still a bear to fathom how some things work out because different mobs react differently to tactics, whereas as a general rule in DAoC, have enough healing power and damage? Zerg it, oh no, an add, all on it. In EQ it was add, no enchanter? Tuck your head between your legs and kiss your **** good bye guys.
DAoC is exhillerating in the RVR aspect that there is always a rush, whether taking a keep or getting flattened by a POed Middy.
In my humble opinion, I reccomend DAoC as a game well worth your time. Choose a high population server if you want the most ease of gamer buddies or even crafters, with clustering it should be getting easier, but in my experiences, clustering hasn't done much to bring servers together and provide more resources or even grouping. However I'm convinced if you can let people from other servers into a foreign server's guild, that would clear up alot.
-The word of the Blath-