Back from a long break

Well, ive been gone from RO for about 3 years now. In short, i have forgotten everything i once kne about this game. So i just have some questions that would be GREATLY appreciated if you could help me with.

1. whats the renewal O.o did it change everything?

2. Last time i played a dagger rogue. are these guys still good?

3. obviously, new account, no money. what class is fairly easy to use and can get some decent money? preferably a melee class.

4. Last time i played, the community was AMAZING. i made some great friends. whats the community like now? im gonna be playing on the free server, so what are the people like on there?

5. ANY advice on any subject would be greatly appreciated. i know so little about this game now. all i know, is i loved it.

Also, if you play on the free server and are leader of a guild that accepts newbies. im a team player and very friendly

1. whats the renewal O.o did it change everything?
Yes, just about. All the combat and exp mechanics got changed, the level cap was raised to 150 and a third job for all the twelve standard classes was added. Leveling to 99 the first and second time combined (as nontrans and then trans) is about as much work as getting to 99 non-trans was before - though you can't "shortcut" it to the same extent that you could.

2. Last time i played a dagger rogue. are these guys still good?
You say that like they were before. They're nothing special until third job - good for getting items and easy to play, though. Their third job has a lot of really OP/broken/abusable skills (many of them will likely get rebalanced/nerfed, though).

3. obviously, new account, no money. what class is fairly easy to use and can get some decent money? preferably a melee class.
Rogue, combo monk (battle acos aren't as hard to make anymore), or really most any other agi melee

4. Last time i played, the community was AMAZING. i made some great friends. whats the community like now? im gonna be playing on the free server, so what are the people like on there?
Uhm, the free server's kinda heavily botted, and has a higher population of high-school age jerks. Larger community though. Premium servers are friendlier, and the economy is MUCH easier for new players because of the lack of bots. On Ymir, items from weak, low level monsters are more expensive than on valk, while good gear items are cheaper - so you get more for what you hunt, and have to pay less for what you need.

Be aware that we're moving to a tiered subscription system, and the premium servers will be going free to play - but you'll need active subscription to make chars on ymir/ygg (nothing stops you from creating a bunch of chars when you pay once, and never subscribing again - it's just a measure to try to keep bots out). Any subscription ordered now will be extended until RO goes F2P for no extra charge

5. ANY advice on any subject would be greatly appreciated. i know so little about this game now. all i know, is i loved it.
See above - sorry for plumping for Ymir >.>