Back already? Oh wait, you never left.
Anyways, on topic: I wasn't here for those days. However, I'll still talk on my own knowledge. I came at a time of around 5.4kcr/100ce. First topic is no binding. How is this a good thing? There are many reasons for the binding. Without binding, prices of individual pieces of gear would drastically lower, especially on 4* and 5* by the current binding price. Binding is a safety so people don't trade each other weapons to get through the game quickly (such as someone giving their friend a Glacius CTR VH for a Vana run, only to get it back after so they could use it later). Secondly, the Auction House is now a vital part of Spiral Knights. It's the main area of buying/selling/business. The AH is where people could buy from each other indirectly, which is much better than always having to find specific people and doing the trades. Lastly, missions are controversial. I was here before them, and truthfully, the missions did take away from the Arcade experience. However, did it ruin SK? No, it just put a new spin on it. It makes things easier for new people, as people had been quitting because the beginning may have been too tough.
I disagree fully with your post.