Noob questions about trading (software and MSFT)

hi, so I got a chart software, called:freestcokcharts.com (using a microsft silverlight plugin - which I like cos im a techy) seems good what do you think?

I wanna start paper trading I hear trade monster's one of the best they dont need you to have a real account like think or swim ?

also I looked at Microsoft MSFT and when they released win 7 cos I though this might change thier price ;and -- it shot up massively - this seems like a pretty simple, obvious trade. - I mean how does this work is it harder to buy at this time ? If you had bought the day before and sold that day, you would have made a good amount; - surely anyone can see this ?

thanks

B