Phant - it wont compare to UO, i'll say that much.
Try playing around with different classes, don't make any judgements before level 10.
Rogues are fun, priests are fun, shamans are fun. They're the classes i've played and enjoyed.
Rogues are the only class that can't self-heal that i'll tolorate.
I didn't like haivng low DPS on a paladin.
I'm making a druid next, Xaero/Tiens LOVES them.
Mages are okay if you can stand having over a minute of downtime after killing 3 mobs.
Hunters are okay but can't heal.
Warlocks are good for PVM but crap in pvp.
Warriors are warriors.
Profession wise, tailoring is good as you can make yourself more storeage, you can do neat things with alchemy/herb, skinning/leather working is cool. Blacksmith/mining can make you HELLA money when trained up, mining/skinning is good money for sales, engineering i haven't tried, enchanting is awesome money if you get lucky with recipie drops.
As far as secondaries go...
Fishing is alright and quite useful with cooking.
First aid is VERY nice for all classes (saves mana on heals after battle etc).
My templates of choice right now are:
Priest, skinning and tailoring, first aid.
Rogue, skinning and leatherworking, first aid.
Shaman, blacksmith and mining, first aid.