What's the very first thing you see when you enter the game? The very first thing you encounter, making the decisions that will determine what sort of role you'll play in AO?
As it is, the character creation process is much more immersive than other games. You don't get a single window with every option in one place. You get an actual experience, in a way, while creating.
I think that whenever you're getting close to done with the new engine, you should also update the character creation experience. I like the theme, I like the space backdrop. The button layout is perfectly fine. The profession models in creation will definitely need an update, but they're awesome regardless.
But the graphics, man. They speak of a time before the year 2000, not 200000+. I stopped and actually LOOKED at it today. I usually just take it for granted and speed through, not noticing the grainy backgrounds or how boring the stars actually are, completely static while the rotating background resets its movement every few seconds in a cheesy sort of way.
The game as of AI/SL has become much different than the original game in terms of how professions play. A tab with relevant information on professions with the SL expansion pack would be a very good idea. It would show froobs what they're missing, inform sloobs of what a profession can actually do in SL without having to guess or check outside material, and just sooth some of us who are anal retentive about such silly detains.
So, my suggestion in a nutshell is: Refine the graphics in the character generation process. Sharpen them up, but keep the layout like it is. Add tabs to the profession information selection so that you can switch between the current profession information and new SL information.