I'm really surprised with how many people still remember personals. It was taken down like... beginning of 04 so if you actually remember then when they were up and running, you must have been here at least 9 years ago. Which isn't weird, but people always seem to bring it up right away.
I remember Gaia's link list was the same way. It was basically just a list of links to other anime related sites, some cool, some sloppy home made, but many specifically Hentai.
Anyway, I think the biggest change I most remember from the old days is the use of the world map. It used to be that "walking" around the world map was the only way to get to most places. You could go to the forums by link, but to get to stores or fishing you had to go to the map, move to whichever map you were looking for, then click on the building. To go to another store, you'd have to go back to the map and find the new store. The coolest part was Trick-or-Treating and Caroling, it was like you really had to walk around to the stores.
Now a days, the map is largely just a novelty.