"Algorithmic trading" in the sense described in this article only makes sense if you have a customer who wants you to execute large trades and pay you a commiss

"Algorithmic trading" in the sense described in this article only makes sense if you have a customer who wants you to execute large trades and pay you a commission. You can try some trading using algorithms to identify profitable trading opportunities. That would normally fall under "prop trading" instead. There are definitely people doing this in ways achievable by a home hobbyist, but don't expect any low hanging fruit. Find some niche in some less liquid instruments. Don't look for anything that relies on being fast - someone else will be there who measures latency in nanoseconds.