complete newbie ... help w/ registration

I've downloaded a playable "client". I don't get what I have to do at this point. Is there a trial I can play right now (kinda like Anarchy Online) or do I have to buy one of the campaigns. If I have to buy from the store then what is that client software that I downloaded for???

a good way to get trial keys is to ask around the forums. many of us possess 10 hour trial keys.

the client software is what's needed to run the game, but you'll need to download the game through it to play. you can go to a store and buy the CD, which already contain much of the files needed. if you don't want to go that route, you can just leave the client software on overnight or use the -image command, and it will download the complete game on its own.

another thing to take note is that GW uses a live streaming technology: unless you specifically tells it to download everything, it will only download what you need right now to get started, and passively download more as you play.

In order to "sample" GW, you will need a 14 days trial key. There is a sticky here in Q&A where you can ask for the trial key from a kind and gentle guru members,
ask them nicely. And you are correct, that is the client software you just downloaded.