There is no open beta yet. There has been no information on it either. Right now there is just the closed beta and the stress test. The closed beta application was a while ago. They'll be an announcement when open beta starts.
Here is a list of Free/Trial/Beta MMO's. http://www.synergysanctum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6698#post6698
It's probably out of date, feel free to make suggestions and help me update it.
Yep, i'm gonna be like a giddy little kid the day of christmas when I have WoW installed and ready to go on my computer. I know that I won't be blessed by the beta gods, so I'll have to wait till retail.
If i have some extra cash around, I'll pick it up myself. The game will need a beasty computer to run it at that high of resolution, but it IS possible.
Also you gotta remember. It's not like Blizzard has ever made a game that flopped. They have done their homework and know what they want and will do.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=3527
A little tidbit on…
When I tried the game out for a very brief period, I was not impressed at all. I couldn't find out what the hell I was suppose to do. Stick with a real MMO that doesn't require you to use RL cash for money in game.
Yeah, you aren't kidding annex.
WoW is going to have a lot of great feature that other MMO's haven't tried yet. I'm really looking forward to sleepless night with WoW. >)