We all have our methods. I prefer to see what the charts have to say as part of my tactical and strategic investment moves. In keeping with the trend is your friend, it is astonishing how many traders do trade the charts, making them even more of self-fufilling prophesies beyond their original value.
Zooming out a bit, TA is more relavant than Level II as has been pointed out, Level II is ruled by the bots and bigs. I still use Level II to try to get a handle, still I don't put much stock in it.
All these styles and tools are helpful and in the case of Ariad, depict a stock that is heading up.
Very pleased with ARIA's strength today, No real new shorts beyond the 1M new ones that opened in the 8's, all the rest hoping against hope for bad news. Low volume for this big dip bears this out, some of those 1M taking the money and running.