theres so many of them and im not sure which is the best, etrade, scottrade, sharbuilder, tradeking, onlinetrading etc....im a pretty basic trader longs, shorts, and a few options

I like etrade and I heard scottrade is good as well. Choose one of these two.

It depends on how many trades per month and how much you open with. You need to look at them and make a personal decision depending on your circumstance.