Welcome back.
I'm new to Ultima as of a few months ago, so I have never played with you. I played a few years on Scht, a few years on Eden, and in my short time on Ultima, I think it is the best PSO server. It has the right blend of events, unique properties (server-side fiddling as you say) and friendly community. I am not bilingual, but I admire that players of different languages and backgrounds are all drawn to an old but charming game. Besides, the quick chat and "internet beats" were designed with a worldwide, diverse community in mind. I am glad to see that, despite Ultima's perceived drawbacks, players continue to revisit. Really, the drawbacks are by and large due to childish, attention-whoring script-kiddies, and nothing to do whatsoever with Ultima's "management". Were you to visit a week or two ago, you would have observed a more peaceful scene (or at least have been able to log in). Unfortunately that is not the case right now, but I have full faith that Larva et al are working to bring the server back up so that we can all continue to enjoy this wonderful, nostalgic game.
Anyway, hope to play with you sometime. Cheers.
Edit: and while I was divining, the servers are back.