I was thinking of starting off ladder with a barbarian. However, the one thing that I am not sure about is if it will be effective. I figure that there will be a LOT of sorcs, so a barbarian should be a good party member. I want to be able to get rich as well though, and I know that a barbarian won't be bringing home the bacon. Playing a barbarian would be fun though, and it IS a game. Any suggestions on what I should start out with?

make a sorc. then make a barb?

I mean, I'd start with a sorc/pally. (MF and rushes), but its whatever.
Only thing is you think it would be fun until you get to hell and can't kill anything by yourself because you lack gear. /shrug.

barb wouldnt be too bad of an idea

You won't have sorcs to buddy with you. The only time you guys will help each other is to get through the acts. To get through the acts you find a rusher or just pub it quick. Once one act is done, usually everybody leaves and finds another game. You probably won't have much chances of a real party where you play with people and help each other out for many acts and levels. Theres just isn't enough cooperation in Diablo nowadays to do that.

Edit: In Diablo III it sounds like and I'm hoping this is going to be changed.

nay

Barb's are fun to play, but lets face it in Hell they are an expensive build.
Without a botdz and fort he dont have much killing power.

Personly I perfer a Necro. It can kill in Hell without the high-end equipment