Pretty much how I took everything. That said, we don't know for sure, they could allow us to simply boost a few fields to start out with...it's rather hard to say at this point in time.

Or more likely, starting points will be 5 in every skill, except 5 isn't as punishing as it was in Morrowind and Oblivion.

Yea they said leveling will be faster at the beginning so it's possible.

I think following Oblivions character generation and that classes are out.

Since we're most likely to be a prisoner.
Some form of escape or test to prove we should, could be of worth is going to take place.

So like Oblivion a tutorial dungeon, or like NV / Morrowind a tutorial town will take place.
Where we as new players learn to use the skills that are in game.
To pick those skills we may use most I see either..
Oblivions you use X, Y amount of times so we think you'll like this skill set, and we'll give you a bonus to those skills : sic character.
Or NV's tag system where you go through questions to get a general idea of what you want your character to do / be.

This is all speculation however, and most will be for a couple of months.