brownsfan019

For any newbies to futures - tread carefully these next few days. With so much going on, we are seeing the markets jump levels at a time. We saw this last year as well and while it was fun, you also have to know what you are doing. Be prepared for markets to blow past levels like they did not exist.

I had my first real experience with Vista after purchasing a new laptop for my dad this weekend. Here's a non-techie review... I like it. To me, it just looks like a dressed up, more 'gui' friendly XP. And for someone that doesn't like huge, monster changes to windows, this upgrade works for me. I realize Vista has it's shortcomings, but for the non-techie, this is not too bad to get used to. I could easily see myself using this in 08 or 09 on all my machines. Now, would I pay to upgrade from a computer running XP? NO. Would I just get it on a new computer purchase? Yes.

Honestly, I don't think OEC even wants to go there. I'll ask again to see if they would consider allowing the customer to decide for the extra cost. I know I'd pay it for a reasonable fee. If I recall (all from memory) it would be an added cost, per round trip, per contract - example: an extra 10 cents round trip, per contract. Doesn't sound like a lot when broken down to pennies, but it can add up quickly.

There's a quick lesson in risk management. :o

I already know that a 'static' dom is not available in futures due to patent infringements with another well-known product. I've asked for a static dom numerous times but OEC's stand is to have a somewhat static dom to avoid patent infringements. In order to have a static dom, an additional cost would have to be passed on to the customer.

Thanks for the help MC, I appreciate it!! Those occasional 'outages' must just be some sort of information overload, probably coming from my trading app's. When it's time to move, internet providers will be on the list (at least my side of the list...)

One that comes to mind James is that I trade for a handful accounts - friends, family, etc. - and one day I put a heavy trade on and was supposed to be for just ONE of the accounts. I went into the software to find the one account to place the trade in and I thought I chose the right one... :doh: I put the trade in an account that should never have been that leveraged. The trade was accepted by the broker but the leverage was incredible on that account. The trade delivered so the account made an incredible profit, but I was managing that thing like a hawk. There was no way I was going to lose money on it. One tick was enough for me in that situation! That trade sticks out b/c I have never done it since. I don't do many 'account specific trades' now, and this is probably why. I just use OEC's block trading feature and that's it. No over loading the boat here by accident!

Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it. I suspected the router was not the issue here, but just wanted to be sure. At this point it's a matter of dealing with it. It's not that enough, but enough that I notice. Whenever the next move is I am going to make sure I can get some sort of secondary internet connection.

Pats by a ton. Going to be one of the most boring SuperBowls ever to watch.

Again - I need specifics. Just saying "MP" does not mean anything to OEC and people like me that do not use MP. I need SPECIFICS.

Give me some actual examples Mr. Ed. Much easier to say - here, look at this!

See, that's just it - I just head to Best Buy for this kind of stuff. So if there is a router available that would yield higher speed, then I will buy it. I just don't want to buy a new router and be back at square one. If you or MC have any ideas of a strong, reliable router to purchase, please put some links up here! Cost not an issue.

The main trading computer is connected directly to the router via the cable (whatever that network cable thing is called). It's an older netgear (probably about 2 years old). I can get the model # tomorrow if you still need that. Would that mean a need for two separate cable companies, or can I do this all on TimeWarner? I know that's probably a dumb question but my ONLY option for cable internet is TimeWarner. Cannot get DSL either.

Please detail what exactly you want to see here. Again, please detail. Since I do not use MP, not sure what to ask for here. What you want is a continuous contract which is not yet available on OEC. It's on my list AND theirs. I believe they are but will have to play around with here to see for sure.

I think I've mentioned before that I write up some reviews for Open ECry about ideas for improvements on their software - charts, dom's and the main trader window. Since there are a few other OEC users on the board, I thought I'd create an OEC Wish List thread where you can list ideas for improvements, large or small. I cannot promise that any will be implemented, but I will be sure to pass the suggestions on. I usually write up a review quarterly or so for them. So post any ideas or suggestions here or PM me if you'd prefer to keep them private. No names will be given to OEC (unless you ask me to) with any ideas or suggestions. And for anyone wondering why I do this, it's simple - the better and stronger that OEC trader is, the better for all of us using the product. OEC has been good to me, so I have no problem doing this for them. It's a 'scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' kind of thing.

Bear brings up a great point - if trading many lots and/or round trips per day, leasing a seat is highly recommended as an option to keep costs down. It takes a little footwork to get it all done, but well worth it in my opinion if trying to drive down your costs.

Here's my opinion of the two - if you need/want the ability to program, backtest, etc. TS is a nice option. I was with TS for awhile at one point. If the OEC charts are sufficient for what you need, then OEC offers the complete and total package from start to finish. In the end it comes down to what you need as OEC does not have everything that TS offers. More and more is added with each upgrade, but there are things not present that some could not trade w/o.

James, The ideas for protecting a long only portfolio can be very basic to exotic. Some basic ideas: But puts Covered calls Buy a short ETF Some exotic ideas: Use futures to hedge (what many big money managers use them for) Can do some neat stuff with options (options on stocks and/or futures) Stock futures Just a few ideas that come to mind. I know 'exotic' may not seem like much here, but to the average investor, those are some exotic ideas. I remember as a broker when going through a time like this, the long only portfolios were just in the shitter and people were panicking. Many would be in 100% cash by now or close to it. Many would sell out near the bottom, that's for sure. So some protection would be nice, but again, the average investor does not / will not think about ways to make money or at least protect what they have in a downfall market. Many just simply cash out somewhere near the bottom.

Eva - attached to this post is a list of books I put together awhile back with Amazon.com links. Hopefully the links still work. Amazon.com Links Embedded into Tiny URL's.pdf

Gsx - I have the Verizon one as backup. Problem is that OEC cannot run on it. On my list of reco's to them is to create a 'lite' version of OEC trader that can run on one of these cards. I'm in a small suburb of Cleveland where the ONLY HARD WIRE option is TimeWarner cable. That's it. Only other option I am aware of is satellite internet, but I have to think that TW is better than that. They are fine MOST of the time...

I've liked MC for awhile now. I was using that before OEC's charts got better. One nice thing for OEC customers is that you can plug their data into MC, so you still get that free data to use.

You bring up a good idea though - maybe there is a software package available that can speed things up. Anyone know of any other software packages that could help?

James - unfortunately I am stuck with cable as my only internet option here. The next option is to move, which could happen down the road. But for now, I am stuck. I use the router b/c I am running 6 computers during the day. Not all of them at once and not all for trading, but with the router I can connect anywhere in the house. I have a feeling this is mainly an ISP issue, but thought I would ask. I am on TimeWarner's RoadRunner 'premium' speed and they do not offer anything faster.

Next step would be for a mod to find the computer threads floating around and move them to the new forum...