Gradually, as more information became available, and as the PC and internet connections got faster, people liked the idea of being able to do the trades themselves.

Of course, the savings involved were a major catalyst for driving more and more traders to become more involved with online stock trading.

For me, it is a comfort level. I have become much more involved in managing my portfolio because of the easy access. All I have to do is hit a few keys and I get the different summaries I need to make an informed trade.

I have definitely become more active, too. Whereas, in the old days, when I would read through the endless stock tables in the Chicago Tribune or Wall Street Journal, I would forget what I wanted to do by the end of the day. Now, portfolio management is in front of me all day.

With the market today, that’s a good thing. I been on this market like a hawk, but, oddly, I haven’t made too many trades. I’m for holding steady. And the only reason for that is, I’ve been pretty conservative over the last year. I’ve keep things in Blue Chips to a large degree, but also have had some holdings in emerging markets. I’m too young to be totally risk adverse.

I’m not convinced that the government’s action will correct anything in the long run. Any action will be more like a band-aid. This may mean I’ll end up selling into this, but I have a ways to go on the downside.

Online stock trading has made a difference in how I work the market, and I think it has for millions of others. I wouldn’t change it.