I've just signed up for this and after logging in and selecting my character (the one I started the trial with) all I get is the loading screen (with the ringed planet). I don't know if this has anything to do with it but it needed to update the game prior to logging in.
After several attempts, however, I tried creating a character from scratch and it worked fine! The trouble is i'd really like to continue with the old one...

I read the post below so maybe i could try again tomorrow but I did manage to connect with a new character so it can't be the server.

BTW I'm using an iMac G4800 and 56k modem

Very strange. You should be able to continue using your old character. When was the last time you used your old character?

I tried again today and it was fine. We just connected to wireless b/band so maybe that helped.
Thanks

Sounds like a crashed sector.
-:sigma.SB