No, I have not. I was part of Aaron S1 and, if you're not playing with owners who, at the very least, feel the same way about competitive balance as you do, it's not fun.
I do think they are good places to learn. Public world owners get ****** when I say this but there's no implied commitment beyond this season when you sign up. As a private world commish, I feel like owners join my world with the intent to build a dynasty not leave after 1-2 seasons. Doesn't always work out like that but, if I see an owner with a bunch of "one and done", I'm not letting him join.
I have no idea. I do not enjoy the game when I have no chance to make the playoffs at the A/S break. Tankers have no chance after spring training.
I don't think you'll like my answer. I left Happy Jack, after winning my 2nd WS, because I felt HJ was returning to it's early season ways when 3-4 owners built powerhouses via some "questionable" tactics while 25 stood around and said "It's your team, do what you want." In short, the esteemed commish traded a nothing rookie salary players for a nothing AAA salary player. While, on the surface, this looks like a nothing deal, it gave the owner getting the cheaper salary enough cap room to sign a 1st round and supplemental round pick. That's a pretty big deal. When I pointed this out, the commish requested that the world veto as he said he didn't really think it out. It passed and I left after winning the WS. Last time I checked, the same dominant team that had won the first three WS(and a couple others) had won every WS since then. So you'll have to tell me what direction the world took after my departure.
Moose DNA has been squirted all over their family leaf piles.