This category includes data services that provide a continuous stream of pricing data, whether the transmission is instantaneous or delayed for 15 to 30 minutes.

In this category, we included data services for which the user initiates the download of data to the user's computer, even if the data is 15-30 minutes old.

Some stock brokerages have been around since the turn of the last century and have names entrenched in Wall Street; others are products of the modern era or even of various mergers that have taken place over the years. This category includes both full-service and discount stock brokerages.

Traders who employ technical analysis are often short-term traders, and futures trading is often part of their repertoire. The choice of futures broker can sometimes make the difference between a good and bad fill.

Institutional money managers require the best that current technology has to offer. The trading platform offers real-time access to domestic and foreign markets, multiple news sources, and fundamental data resources. Sophisticated analytics are often available for more esoteric instruments. A separate server may process the information for several workstations.

Not as all-encompassing as the institutional platform but still top level for the professional trader, the professional platform may include many of the same features: hardware, software for charting and analysis, and real-time data. News access and options analysis are often available.

Nowadays, more and more technical analysis applications are tied in closely with the Internet. We've specified for this category products that retrieve and present data from remote servers (as well as the entire Internet) and offer many of the analytical tools found in standalone software. Data is supplied as part of the service.

These packages provide the tools for charting markets and indicators, performing technical and sometimes fundamental analysis, and some include advanced system development capabilities. Some packages may focus on a particular area of technical analysis, such as cycles.

Most technically based traders as well as newcomers can find 95% of their requirements met by software packages listed in this category. These products will provide charting and technical analysis and some will include system development. A few products include ready-to-go trading systems or may focus on a particular style of technical analysis.

Here, technically based software may be part of a data subscription service, aimed at the introductory level participant, or offer a special product at a good price. Novice technical analysts will most likely take a hard look at these packages first.

If you need a specific function that your technical analysis software doesn't already include, a third-party software developer may fit the bill with a software plug-in. Software plug-ins are programs that extend the capabilities of a technical analysis package by providing specialized functions or features not already included. Listed here is just a sampling of third-party software that complements some of the major technical analysis packages. Use the write-in area to vote for plug-in programs not listed.

Artificial intelligence is a systematic approach to trading. An expert system is generally designed by the vendor and provides the trader with signals. A neural network trains itself on the data and creates its own rules. These packages are best suited for traders with an analytical bent.

It's always a good idea to keep track of your portfolio's performance. Some trading software may not include this feature or some of you may find the need for a more sophisticated product. As a result, portfolio management software has sprung up to automate the analysis of return, cash flow, tax impacts, and profit & loss. Products range from spreadsheet add-ons to custom applications that can extract pricing data from files in their native form, hopefully automating portfolio valuation as well as analysis.

Traders and investors have continued to develop a strong interest in derivative instruments such as options. Success at trading options requires a different set of analytics than does technical analysis. Consequently, software packages have been developed to handle the area of options analysis. Many packages offer both analytics as well as an education in options trading.

Software in this category is aimed at providing you with a more systematic approach to the futures markets. Some packages are a trading system, while others also include analytical capabilities.

While many traders may track the underlying security to generate signals for options, there are packages that generate signals based on the options activity itself.

A disciplined approach is important for trading stocks. There are as many ways to trade stocks as there are traders. Software in this category is aimed at providing you with a more systematic approach to the stock markets.

When you're just starting out in trading or trying to take your trading to the next level, some professional training helps, whether it's the support provided by a daytrading center, courses, or tutoring.

Some websites provide a wealth of technical information, indicators, charts, sentiment, and opinion. Of those with a technical focus, pick your favorites.

Choose your favorite articles published in Technical Analysis of STOCKS & COMMODITIES magazine this year.