Testing systems and alternatives to MT4?

am looking into different systems, pretty much different general position trade setups and intraday setups like channel breakouts, conqueror, inside/reversal days etc...whats the next step to be taken after reading about systems that interest me?...do i look for relevant scripts/ea's and test/backtest them out with price action?

...assuming backtesting/testing is the next step, is the easiest/most common way to use scripts/ea's through meta trader?...what are the alternatives to mt4 and are they mainstream for ea's and scripts or is it best to stick to mt4 for trying out systems?...i don't know how to program and will be trading manually.

cheers

I think backtesting should be next step. Manual trading is easy, you can get step by step tutorials for it in many sites.

I am in the same position now. I learnt the mechanics of trading including manual trading, strategies I can follow and how to use EAs with MT and I am ready to trade with real money, but I am not sure if I should start with manual trading or use one of those EA-like trading tools/robots. Any advice will be appreciated.

MT4 is the best one.