Best I ramble in my own thread.
For better or worse I am going with Python.
A few reasons, for a beginner there are plenty of good resources so even though the learning curve maybe a bit steeper than AB it shouldn't be an issue (famous last words). The last time I did anything like this was 10+ years ago at uni and I paid little attention so I am starting from scratch, I could do with going over some computer basics. I also need to go over some of the basics again anyway of how data is structured, stored and accessed. Same with my math and stats, it has been a long time since I have used any of it so having to look at the code a bit deeper will be a good refresher.
I would like have a look at some betfair data and how that applies to the bigger bookies. More for interest than expecting anything to come of it.
Not in a pessimistic way but I not super confident in "cracking it". There are a lot of people who are lot smarter, have more time, more training and more money than me looking at this....both in trading and programming. So if nothing comes of trading the skills I learn with Python will be transferable if I decide to go back to uni a pursue something else.
In saying I am not confident I have been skyping with someone quite involved in the quant side of things who has inspired me to look in to it. Many screen shots of equity curves that look fantastic. I have no secret sauce, but they really dont seem to be doing anything original. All the ideas they shared I have come across before, maybe its all in the application as tech is always saying. I am skeptical as a screen shot of a pretty equity curve mean nothing but everything I will look at initially will help with my intra day (when I actually have time)
Enough time wasted deciding, lets get on with it