In my opinion, set yourself up a EQEmulator login account and try out Zebuxoruk or one of the populated servers and see how you like it. That is the easiest route, if you want to set up your own it'll take a little more work but, you get the freedom to twink the stuffing out of yourself.
I do both myself. The EQEmu lifestyle takes a little learning to get going, but then the game becomes a fun hobby.