I've always thought the same thing,
When I first heard the term "shard," I thought we were talking about UO. I still think about it every time time I hear "shard."
I don't ever run into anyone who has played UO either, and so everyone looks at my like I have 3 eyes when I explain the connection. haha.
In my mind no game will surpass closed beta era UO. It had the sandbox and freedom combined with q culture that was actually into the idea instead of the grieving