Hi John
It seems as if you are not to sure where you are heading.
Just my humble thoughts, how about picking one stock from the FTSE 100 and paper trade it, and it only. ( I know some guy's on the site don't like paper trading, but until you have your set-up sorted it's safer). Stick with the one stock go long and short, until you get to know it inside out. Try trading in different time frames and see which suits you best, then when you are confident (it does'nt matter how long it takes). Go to market with the big boys and girls, but with small stakes.
Good Luck
Greg