It's funny that this discussion is considered worth being a sticky thread, considering that this site is primarily devoted to Expert Advisors. I'm sure the advise is well-meant, but it portrays a romantic, almost puritan view of trading: it has to be hard or it will not work. Beware of the spectre of Automation!

The most important advice (free, so don't trust it!) I have ever read is that you have to find a method that fits your personality and that you are comfortable with. Whether it is discretional or mechanical doesn't really matter, as long as you have a well-defined trading plan (as somebody already pointed out) and stick to it.

I'll readily admit that according to the first post I shouldn't be trading. I would fail miserably when asked for today's support and resistance levels!