which is brockerage is best for beginners

don't mind the spelling errors I've been up for two days so my mind is a bit slow right now.

try sharebuilder...

I use ameritrade, sharebuilder is okay. Whatever you do, do not go with the lowest commission provider. they are usually crap (i.e. firstrade and scottrade)

When I first started trading, I used ameritrade; they have excellent real-time charts. Once you know exactly how and what you want to trade, scottrade is great - $7.99 trades, and very reliable; scottrade charts are not very good, though, so I still have a minimal amount in ameritrade in order to utilize their charts.

I use Scottrade. If you are just looking for a bare bones account to buy stocks, then I would say use them. If you want more stuff in the way of research, maybe look elsewhere. Although, they are unveiling a new research section and updating some features in Feb., so it may get better. Zecco.com is apparently free commission-wise. I believe their claim is that they offer a lower rate on money markets (?) in order to not have to charge commission...something along those lines...sounds sketchy to me.

Interactive Brokers

Is Interactive Brokers more for active traders? I know someone who uses them and it does seem like their commissions are pretty low. That, and the fact that you can trade things like options and futures.

you can trade options at most brokers.

Yea, but aren't the commissions on options at Interactive Brokers substantially less? Like a few cents per contract or something?