There are many positive aspects of Smuggler...unfortunately for you, your coming into the forums at a time when most of the community is weary of fighting the fight. Overall, if you poke around the other prof forums you'll find that this community is one of the best, most supportive, most friendly, and all around well characterized roup of people around.
Peopl have alreadt touched upon the great roleplaying aspects of this profession. It cannot be stated enough. There are few exceptions to the fact that this profession right from Novice gives you a sense of being outside the norm of society. It is a mindset that comes with the title, theres no other way to slice it (no pun intended). Nearly every 'hologrinder' I have ever talked to has always remembered doing Smuggler the most, and not because it was difficult or cumbersome, but because they found their playstyle changed a bit just from donning the title of Smuggler. In this vein I encourage you to create your own content, get into the role, and you will find others will follow suit...even if it just when they interact with you.
As far as the game aspects themselves I still think we are topnotch. You juts have to lower your expectations of what you think a Smuggler should be. Keep in mind that we are a hybrid profession. We have good combat skills, but not the mods to support them. We have some crafting ability, but not the economy to support it. We have 2 unique skill trees that really define the profession and give us our livelihood: Faction purchasing and Slicing. These too could be improved, and we will see that come eventually.
We have the best damage output special in the game with Last Ditch, as well as the only ranged knockdown in LowBlow. Our ranged delay used to be really good, now it is mediocre at best...and Feign Death always comes in handy....even if the re-aggro is still an issue.
Spices can still be useful, but more in an emergency situation then anything. This is the area we will see the most dramatic improvement in the revamp. Just look at what they did for chef for proof.
Underworld skills are beneficial in PvP, otherwise they are good to get your own faction perks as well as selling faction to other players at a hearty profit. And don't forget avoiding the contraband scanners....usually handy, even if the penalties are light right now.
Slicing is the bread and butter, and if you only use it to improve your own weapons/armor...it's still worth it. I myself like to be in control of my own equipment, and never buy pre-sliced. I always feel I can do a better job then most, and I think a lot of the Smugglers around here feel the same. If you can hook up with a weaponsmith or armorsmith and contract out for slicing, it can be a nice source of income to be sure.
The master box should see tons of improvement as well, so hold tight for those.
Overall we are a unique profession that works well with most other professions whether they be combatorcrafting. The trick is to find the combination that works best for you and your playstyle...or how you want to roleplay your Smuggler.
The revamp will bring us much, but again we are pretty good even without it. Most of the discontent you see herein the forums is bred by the mass amount of potential available to us, and the desire of this passionate community to see that potential reached.
Stick with it, you will love it...once you goblack(market) you never go back!
Besides....it can't rain all the time.
-Arashi
Bloodfin
Arashi - The one and only "Agent Zero"
Proud member of the greatest community around....Smuggler for life!