Couple things worthy of note:
For starters, the Community Servers went down for two reasons:
First, because the official servers split an already declining community. With the promise of better admins, moderation, and experience there was no reason to keep any others going.
Second,
The officials were paid for by one individual, the community were paid by...well the community. We can't and never will be able to compete with single payment providers. However, now the officials are paid by donations, so if people are going to be donating, might as well get something worth while.
Now, as for rumors:
Yes the Community servers should be back online tonight or tomorrow.
No there will not be the same admins as before or exactly the same as official.
Yes the maps will be brought back(and refined through further testing)
Occitan is the primary reason for their return, so thank them of all people.
No I will not be involved like I was before. Which means no ipod app developments, no website statistics, and no further community expansions. I feel as though that ship sailed when there was a cry for official servers only for the same people to cry for the community servers to be brought back. A little irony that i get to poke at. But I digest....
There will be two servers as of right now...both 80 man. One will be battle, the other will be siege/occitan tournament zone.
We are testing a new server provider so no one is certain how the performance will go. The box will be located in Chicago to provide an equal disadvantage for most players spread across North America. Sorry texas, go to hell.