seems like they've just adapted it a little bit to appeal to the 'newer' 00bs. Like the agent finder and the star map being altered a bit with the default jump lines.
I think the CQ is awesome, just a trial at the mo, but when it gets in the full swing of things it'll house allsorts of awesome shit! Player owned cantinas, drug dens etc etc etc. you cant tell me that's not cool. Admittedly i've turned the CQ off due to graphics card fuckery, but getting a new one when i get paid. I dont think theyve ruined EVE at all, just added something a bit cosmetic onto it. No harm done.
Even managed to get a nice group of Pandion Knights guildies playing. 6 or 7 of us atm, just general care-bearing/mining until everyone gets a bit of ISK/skills