[angelaktariel]

James, thanks for posting such detailed message to try to find out how to help me best. Here are my answer to your questions:

1. & 3. Right now I only trade stocks, but I know I will be interested in options down the line most likely.

2. I plan on daytrading (not scalping) equities.

4. As far as the budget goes, I really don't know what is out there, so I will check out the places you guys are recommending. Right now the only charge I get is the 9.95 charge per trade, and I do like Ameritrade's Command Center so far and their Strategy Desk offers back testing, however I haven't put that to use yet, so don't know how important that will be. I agree with you as far as commission and such go, don't really want to waste money, make a broker rich and not have profit left for myself, so I have to be smart and have the right reason why I pick one over the other. That is why I am asking for opinions here.

Anyway, I guess to sum it up, I am looking to daytrade equities and as you mentioned as I am a newbie, looking at options as well.

Let me know what you think....

Thanks,
Eva