You have to have an account on LEGO.com to be able to sign up for Beta testing, which leads to downloading LEGO universe.
well first you need to be a Lego club or Lego brickmaster member. Then, you go to the Lego universe home and click the button that says type in code. You type in your membership # on the back of your magazine and hit yes. next go to nimbus station and then the portal is somewhere there. find info at Lego universe home or the nov-dec issue of Lego club magazine
Yes, you have to be a member to access Ninjago items/worlds etc.
No
A game similar to Lego Universe, is Club Penguin. It has the same kind of idea and is just as fun!
Yes,yes ya do 
You had to be a Lego club page member, but my Lego network replaced that. (that was dumb)
no y doin have to
Just click the sign in button, in the top right hand side.
You can't really get a free membership on Lego Universe, however you can sign up for free and become a non-member from the Lego Universe site.
You have to be a Lego club member in order to get Lego club magazine module on my Lego network. you do this by either getting the actual magazine or going to Lego club and typing in MAGAWARD. then make the badge, befriend Max, and trade on his page. Lego Network Username: Nathan6342
Go onto the Lego universe website and there is an option for free play made. All you need is a free lego account and you're all set!
You need to buy it.