investing-trading

["RB" <rhodes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 I have a friend who wants to know what is the best, lowest cost ways to
invest-trade the stock market.   This would NOT be any daytrading, really
not much trading at all, but he will keep an eye on things and may want to
move in and out at times in the future, but deffinately not a lot of
trading.
He asked about Mutual funds, Index funds, Exchange Traded funds.  He wanted
to know which had the lowest cost, fees, commissions etc.
Also any other suggestions on this?
Any comparisons on the abouve as far as cost, brokers, fees, commissions,
etc.
 What do you use and like?
 What would you recommend?
 Which brokers?

 Any info about any of the above would be very helpful.

 Thanks,