Just introducing myself!

b00stingsx said: "Hello! I am somewhat new to the stockmarket. I had some shares of Inktomi (before yahoo bought them out) and lost bigtime, and I currently have a couple putnam growth funds I started in 1993. I am in school hoping to become a mechanical engineer, but just doing general classes right now. I recently made some extra money, and would like to jump back into the stock market. I know the basics of how it all works, but some of the terms are somewhat foreign to me. I have been told not to take blind advice from others (I know this from experiance now! :mad: ), and I also know that I shouldnt rush into the market without researching. In the pennystock forum, I read up about XSNX. I am definately into regenerative energy, whether it be solar, or wind, etc... I am always working on ideas (inventions) to save energy. Their solar window film idea seems very promising, since the energy crisis is turning in that direction . However, I dont want to invest in this based on the community's emotions... Also, I dont know where to buy stocks. What are the advantages/disadvantges to trading online? What am I expecting to pay? If anyone can give me guidance, it would be greatly apreciated. Thanks, John"

marbles said: "[QUOTE=b00stingsx]Also, I dont know where to buy stocks. What are the advantages/disadvantges to trading online? What am I expecting to pay? [/QUOTE] One advantage, online trading doesn't require you to phone the broker. Before online-trading I remember what a hassle it could be getting through to a broker on the phone. Ameritrade, E Trade, Charles Schwab, TD Waterhouse, Scott Trade. If you visit their websites you can compare trading fees, minimum balances needed to open an account, availability of no-transaction fee mutual funds."

drsuck said: "Welcome to the board John! Hope you enjoy your stay and learn a lot from our members as well as give insight into the market. Dr. Stock"

wildmandan32 said: "a mechanical engineer into alternative energy.....want to make some extra money? or any of you other students with the same skills ? I want to take a bicycle and get some of those old grandpa style basket/rear bicycle saddlebags to carry a car battery in each side and hook up a high power electrical motor to a bike...I've seen the little ones that you can buy but I want something real!!! I am thinking it doesn't even need to recharge itself as I can just recharge nightly with 110V. I don't need it to go long distance just want to have enough power for hills etc. let me know I am serious as can be, I've been wanting to do this for years"

AlfredSokol said: "If you have less than $2,000 I say put it in the bank. It's not enough to waste time trading, for the most part."

Heather said: "Hello and welcome to Superiorinvestor.net It's nice to meet you. There are a lot of online brokers that you can trade for relatively cheap, but in most cases, there won't be a lot of "human intervention", so if you like a personalized touch you might want to consider a broker."

AlfredSokol said: "How many times do you really have to contact your broker?"

Heather said: "Probably not many. But some people do like it.."

b00stingsx said: "Right now I am leaning more towards the online trading scene, with just a small amount of money (~$2000) to get a base of how it works. I am going to meet with a broker/friend in a couple days just to sort of get a "heads up" on things. I dont expect to make a ton of money by any means, its just somthing I would like to learn about..."

HappyHarry said: "$2,000 is an okay amount to start with. You just can't afford a lot of losses. But then who can really?"