OK its old but the fact that its still going says a lot. As a sandbox MMO, and PvE mostly (some PvP) there is a lot to enjoy and with the size of the world there is a lot to explore. You don't have to chose between fighter and mage, you can level up in all skills.
Some players have been playing for 9 years now but it is still rare to hear of anyone levelling all skills to the max. And noobs don't have to compete against vets, the vets help the noobs get on in the game. A very friendly community, mature with a good sense of humour. If WoW is a bit juvenile for you, check this out.

I can only recommend you try Ryzom (www.ryzom.com)

It has been around for nearly 10 years, so the graphics aren't the latest thing, but this is a Sandbox game that has a lot of unique/unusual features:
- Start as a mage/warrior/whatever but then you can train all other disciplines if you want to
- Weather and seasons that affect gameplay
- Herbivores that form herds and migrate with the seasons
- Predators that hunt singly and in packs and follow the herds
- PvP is limited to certain areas and entirely consensual
- incredibly flexible crafting system for armour+weapons
- open ended lore which evolves depending on players' achievements

It is free to download and free to play up to half way up the levels (minor restrictions apply to non-subscribers) so you have nothing to lose by trying it.

This judgment sets an interesting precedent. Having clearly abandoned the principle that the punishment should fit the crime, a whole world of possibilities is opened up.

- car thieves could be barred from buying oranges

- merchant bankers could be made to whistle 'Dixie' in response to any question about leveraged buyouts

- prisoners could be offered the option of being tickled to reduce their sentences

- anyone caught speeding could be made to learn to play the bagpipes

Any other ideas?

<quote><p>It seems most people seem to think "calculation speed and memory" when they talk about computer "intelligence."</p></quote>

You are so right. I've always thought that a truly intelligent computer would play a BAD game of chess . . .

Sorry, andylim, the acronym WIMP stands for 'windows, icons, menus and pointer', not 'windows, icons, mouse and pointer'. A common misconception, but wrong - take it from someone who was there.