I've been on FR for longer than that, and the 'format' hasn't changed at all.
FR is one of two websites I visit that have stayed the same all these years. The other is ASTRONOMY PICTURE OF THE DAY ARCHIVE.
They both should stay the way they are. They are perfect for their desired use.
Anyway, yes there was a HUGH format change during the first week of April, 2000. Up until that time the site ran nothing but ads for conservative entertainers' gear. [The Tom Selleck mustaches were an instant sell-out.]
Posting was kind of rough because we had to punch everything out on 029 keypunch cards and mail them in. But somehow, we made it work!
[Please FReepers: don't let's go back to those miserable days of keypunch and wall-to-wall commercials for Charlton Heston autographed loin cloths. Send your donation to the FReepathon RIGHT NOW. Thank You!]