help me to get started plz...

[moira]

hey guys,
Im the definition of an investment-noob, but I have some money, that I dont want to have uselessly sitting at my bank - so I figured Im just gonna start here and ask some questions:
as I looked around the forum, I found out, that the main advice for noobs like me is to invest in some index-fonds. and thats what I was planning to do.
but then I didnt know which investor/broker to choose - I dont just want somebody to invest for me, I want the ability to trade by myself over my internet-connection, especially as I hope to consistently gain knowledge and experience. so what would be my best option to do so (Im living in germany, that may be something to consider.)?
then I plan to simply put 90% in some index-fonds and 10% in some stocks.
but another thing that concerns me is the rumour of an upcoming downswing of the whole market. I mean it has been rising incredibly high over the years. therefore Im afraid that it starts dropping now that I start investing and that my market-oriented index-fonds will drop and I lose money. would it be more reasonable to just put my money on a bank-account for ~4% interest. can someone like me earn money at the financial market at the moment and the middle-term (1-2 years: maybe long-term for the market reconsodered) future?
sorry about that post, but I would be happy about any constructive answer.
thx