Well...the storylines are different. But the actual class gameplay is identical.
Sith Inquisitors/Jedi Consulars are the same exact class. The only thing different is the name of their abilities and the graphics of those abilities. They play exactly the same.
The Beta Weekends in September are basically Open Beta, but you need to be invited for them.
Personally I'd say not to play a class you plan on playing in the final as to not have to repeat a bunch of story.
I don't know if anyone saw this or not, but information from the upcoming Diablo III beta has leaked out:
http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=806335
The big shocker here is this:
Officially sanctioned gold selling in Diablo III, people doing it just have to pay a BlizzTax on...
Going to add my wife real quick. She's Asherlim on ToJ, but her TOR board name is BrytAngel. She has a few chars in Redeemed (Caseisna is her main). Adding her now.
Got a copy for my wife pre-ordered through Amazon, got the code immediately. I got a digital deluxe through Origin and also got my code. So I'm all set. I applied on the guild page.