I am keen on having a dry run on the US markets and really like the look of TD Ameritrade, but wondered if anyone else has experience of them? Their website is pretty full on and trying to find exactly what you're after isn't that easy.

Specifically I wanted to know:

- Is their price for trading stocks really just $9.99? No hidden fees, %ages etc

- Do they charge for wiring in funds? Nothing I could see mentioned

- Can you even open an account as a foreigner with no visa/social security?

- Is their thinkorswim web-based (I run Linux and doubt they'll have a standalone for me) and is there any cost to it?

The best thing would be to ask them directly, but I've no intentions of doing 'real' trades for the foreseeable future, but wanted to use their tools to practice with until I can prove myself on paper.

(I did try to search if Ameritrade has come up before but the search function may not be working; I know it appeared in a 2010 thread...)