Just wondering what the best online site is for a rookie looking to get his feet wet...

Have never done anything with stocks or online trading. Just wondering if anyone had a recommendation on a good site. have been looking at tdameritrade,fidelity and scott trade. Do they all have about the same fees per trade or have anything special? Something easy with good info would be great. Just gonna drop a small amount to have something to look at daily.

Also, if they happen to give referral bonuses (which I doubt), I can help somebody out.

Any info would be great.

Do they all have about the same fees per trade or have anything special?

the transaction cost vary widely and some have "inactivity" fees IF your not a regular trader. I have used TD Ameritrade for year and I think they are the BEST even though you can find lower than their standard $9.99 per trade BUT that's for unlimited shares AND they don't jack the rates for stocks selling under $1 like Fidelity does.

one thing you should know though is that inorder to "day trade" you need to maintain a 25K equity in any firms account. that's a NASDAQ rule.

When you say "day trade", what does that mean exactly?

a "day trade" is just buying a stock and selling it the same day

If I just want to throw a grand in an account to play with, so what are the limitations with a small account? Will I still be able to buy whatever I want?

not to be snotty BUT a dime is NOT much ammo for a trading account. that's like 100 shares of a $10 stock and even @ $10 a trade you will get eat up by commissions. you will be able to buy whatever you want up to your cash on hand BUT you will NOT be able to day trade OR use margin, which is money borrowed from the brokerage firm using your stock as collateral, to trade with.

that updown.com sounds like a good place to hone your skills before you play with real money

I was looking at Scottrade  (Im from STL)

haven't checked Scottrade for quite awhile because I have been satisfied where I'm at BUT they used to limit you to 5000 shares per trade AND charged higher for limit orders which you should ALWAYS use, at least on the buy side, and esp with NASDAQ market stocks. otherwise you will get FUCKED by the market makers esp IF they are samll and thinly traded.