(1) Read everything on ET. This will not teach you any secrets, but it acquaints you rather well with the true environment;Quote from drew4784:
does anyone have any suggestions on how to get started in creating an automated trading system? books to read? software to use? anything would help
Quote from bitrend:
You better go with www.tradestation.com what will save your time and effort from design/coding yourself. You will avoid software bugs since their software is tested and reliable. You only need to learn EasyLanguage to make your trading strategy be understood by their software and you can test your strategies before going with real hard earn money.
Just to let you know that I'm not promoting TradeStation, I have no business with them, it's just I found useful and make sense with the current society. Automation will gain more and more popularity in the future. Wall Street will be used with new weapon, however strategy remain the same as it was 400 years ago.
My posts are always highly positive, free of nonsense.Quote from ozzy:
Nononsense. All I hear from you is that this won't work and that won't work. How about shedding some light and providing some guidance on what does work?
Can nonsense make a positive post, lets see?

I am not cynical at all. Only a nononsense attitude might bring you closer to your market goals. I learned that the hard way and it took me a VERY long time. Most do-gooders did not manage to do me any good at all.Quote from ozzy:
There is no get rich quick scheme in trading. On a side note, your cynical by nature, but that's not always a bad thing.