bazinga, This is a subject I like to ponder. There are more ways than one to skin a cat. "ACTIVE TRADING" is a proper way of describing a winning strategy, rather than DT/STT/Long term. A combination of adequate technical & "unbiased" fundamental skills is paramount....I am not talking about highly sophisticated theoretical skills....Just common sense & a "good eye". Understanding the "personality" of individual stocks is vital in order to decide which strategy one chooses. I,for one, deploy all of them strategies....Each has to be clear from the outset. For some reason I have a feeling you are not giving up...The stock market is the best (NOT THE EASIEST) way to make money....PERSEVERANCE.