>> Any suggestions re what software to use re prep. of Schedule D <<
When I was trading stocks heavely I used "gainskeeper"...
A few clicks of the mouse and I had a muliti page itemized schedule D showing all my trades (long and short) all ready to send to the IRS...
Here's a tip. Gainskeeper charges you a "yearly fee". I would make sure I would do the following years taxes a couple of days earlier than the prior year (hence you get two years for the price of one)...