Surely you aren't arguing that tracking 2 DoT timers was more difficult than tracking between 8 and 15 or so CDs?
Okay, to be fair....FFXI still exists, and people are here playing (or arguing about playing) FFXIV. :) That said, I tried to play it a few months ago, but ended up stopping. Not because the systems - I actually LIKE complex systems like that in a game that doesn't ALSO require twitch reflexes (FFXIV requires far more moving to dodge and react to mechanics than FFXI does, where you can stand much more static, have slow cast times, recharge times, and have time to chat with people in party chat during fights - not during dungeons, I mean THE FIGHTS THEMSELVES) - but ended up not liking it because the modern version is "Unlock Trusts, solo to level cap, then talk to us for parties" in the community. I LIKE old school MMOs, but only when people are playing them like old school MMOs, forming parties and leveling together, doing dungeons together, even farming enemy mobs for spell learning items. Modern FFXI is mostly unlock NPCs then Trust your way through the game.
If I wanted to do that...well, I'd play FFXIV instead. Which I already do. :)