My broker has a chat room for traders. I got on it a couple of times. Hate to say it, but fading the emotions of the other participants would be an incredibly profitable strategy. I turned a few nice scalps using the chat as my leading indicator. Every time they say, "okay, YM is going to new highs," I would short, and it would turn around and head back down.
Trading can be a lonesome endeavor, and interaction with other traders could be advantageous. What I would really benefit from would be accountability. If I actually had to show someone all my trades and explain why I took them, I would act in a much more rational manor. Boy, that is a scary prospect!
I am back to trading with music in the background.
Cheers,
Bam-Bam
* Not a newbie, I just trade like one.