Welcome to World of Warcraft. I am hoping you are considering playing a shaman and want all the inside information. Either that, or you want to learn about shamans so that you can defeat them. Know thine enemy. Either way, this section will get you started on your journey into the world of Azeroth.
Server Types
There are four different kinds of servers (Realms) to choose from. Picking the right server can make the game much more enjoyable. Picking the wrong one can make the game boring and/or frustrating.
Normal Servers
Normal servers are focused on the PvE aspect of the game. It is a server where you are able to focus on killing NCPs and completing quests without problems from opposing faction players. The PvP options can be toggled on and off, which means you can engage in world PvP when you choose to, and ignore opposing faction players when not interested.
PvP Servers
PvP servers have the same objectives throughout the PvE world as a normal server, with the added bonus, or bane, of having contested zones. Major cites and starting areas allow players of the native faction to play without fear. Once you enter a contested zone you are in a perpetual state of war. In these zones you can be, and will often be, attacked by opposing faction members. When entering a zone, the zone name is displayed on your screen. The zone name will be in one of 4 colors: Green, Red, Yellow, or Blue. Green zones mean friendly territory. Red means enemy territory. Yellow means contested territory. Blue means sanctuary territory where no PvP can occur. Please read and understand Blizzard's rules in regards to PvP realms (http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01654p) before starting on one.

Role-Playing Servers
Role-Playing (RP) servers are designed for individuals who want to be fully immersed in the world of Azeroth. The point of the servers is for players to role-play their character, and to take an active role in the history and lore of the game. RP servers have their own set of rules, breaking those rules can upset other players, so be sure to read them ahead of time. The rules are located here (http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01725p). RP Servers have some of the most dedicated and out-spoken players. Heated arguments can break out over role-playing topics and the topic of not role-playing.
RP-PVP Servers
RP-PvP Servers are exactly what they sound like: they are servers that enforce both the PvP rules and RP rules. These are some of the lowest played servers. The rule set can upset an unprepared player. These servers also create some of the strongest ties in game.

Races
There are four different races that can be Shamans: Orcs, Trolls, Tauren, and Draenei with the Burning Crusade expansion. Without the expansion, you will be limited to the three “original” races that could be shamans, all of which are of the horde faction. Choosing your race can be a hard choice for some players. If you wish you be an Alliance shaman, your only choice is Draenei, making it a simple choice. As for Horde, you should ultimately pick a race you enjoy. Starting abilities have very little to do with the game further in; once you approach level 20-25, your abilities depend more on your gear. Here is the ability score of level 1 shamans with no gear, based on race.

The main thing that most players look at are the racial abilities of each of the races. Racial abilities can save a player from an encounter, or they can make his time to achieve a goal that much faster.

Orc
Blood Fury
There are 3 different versions of this racial ability. The shaman version when activated, gives (Level*4)+2= attack power and (Level *2)+3= spell damage/healing. This ability lasts 15 seconds and has a two minute cooldown.
This is a very good racial ability for Shamans. It helps both melee base shamans and caster base shamans. The two minute cooldown on this allows for pretty constant use, and makes it so that you don't have to save it for an upcoming boss.
Hardiness
Hardiness is a passive 15% resistance to stun and knockout effects.
This is a good racial ability for both PvP play and PvE play. 15% seems small, but will add up over your career as a shaman.
Command
This ability gives 5% damage increase to pets. This ability is useless as a shaman. The two elementals that are gained at higher levels are considered pets of the totem, not pets of the shaman.
Axe Specialization
Increases expertise by 1% with both one-handed and two-handed axes
This ability makes it so your swing is 1% less likely to be dodged or parried. The increase is minor. Even as an enhancement shaman, who would gain the most from this ability, to always use an axe would limit and hinder you greatly.
Tauren
War Stomp
Stuns up to five enemies in a eight yard radius for two seconds. It has a 0.5 second cast time, and two minute cooldown.
War stomp is a good racial ability for both PvP and PvE aspects of being a shaman. War stomp is considered by many to be the only crowd-control ability available to shamans. The two minute cooldown allows it to be used often.
Endurance
Endurance is a passive racial ability that gives you 5% more hit points.
This is an all-around great ability. This will give upwards of 500 hp when you are talking high end PvP gear.

Cultivation
Gives a +15 skill bonus to Herbalism.
Cultivation is an okay skill. It helps out a lot when you are a low level, and makes gathering herbs a lot easier. This can help a young shaman out with money.
Nature Resistance
Give a passive +10 to nature resistance.
+10 to any resistance is okay at very low levels, but as you get to higher levels, to resist spells you will need much higher resistance to see any difference.
Troll
Berserking
Berserking increases your attack speed and spell speed by 10%-30% depending on your remaining life. At full health you gain 10% haste. At 40% life you gain the maximum of 30% haste. Berserking has a two minute cooldown.
There is a lot of debate over whether or not this ability is really worth using in general. Fortunately, as a shaman, you can benefit from the fact that you gain the haste to both melee and spell casting. This ability comes in handy for both PvP and PvE playing.
Regeneration
10% health regeneration bonus. 10% of health regeneration active in combat.
This ability sounds a lot better than it is in the end game. 10% is not very noticeable later on in the game. Regeneration is a lot of help in the early game because it reduces down time.
Beast Slaying
Passive 5% damage increase to Beasts.
This ability is an okay ability. The increase to damage is negligible. When fighting beasts it can reduce down time. Keep in mind though, that beasts are only one of many kinds of NPCs you will kill during your career.
Throwing Specialization
Give +1% chance to critically hit with throwing weapons. Considering that shamans don't get throwing weapons, this is a useless ability.
Bow Specialization
Give +1% chance to critically hit with bow weapons. Considering shamans don't get bows, this is also a useless ability.

Draenei
Gemcutting
Gives a +5 to jewelcrafting
Jewelcrafting is an expensive profession to start. The +5 doesn't make a very large difference.
Gift of the Naaru
Heals target for 50+15*(level-1) over 15 seconds. 1.5 second cast time. Three minute cooldown.
Having a mana-free heal is always a good thing. Being a shaman though, you can already heal. Since shamans can already heal, this doesn't bring anything to the character.
Inspiring Presence
Increase chance to hit with spells by 1% for you and anyone in your party within 30 yards of you.
This ability feels like you are a walking totem yourself. The 1% increase will not be felt until higher levels of game play. Even then, 1% is not something you will readily notice.
Shadow Resistance
Give a passive +10 to Shadow resistance.
+10 to any resistance is okay at very low levels, but as you get higher, to resist spells you will need much higher resistance to see any difference.