fwiw here's my boring view on this: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1115852&highlight=stop#post1115852 alternatively this 'story' still makes me laugh myself blind... those days are pretty much gone, but its true that its not so long ago: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=855641&highlight=refco#post855641
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1032395&highlight=list#post1032395 fyi... why? cause i've spent weeks & months trying out myriad platforms with live accts and i think thats a good set-up... but if your only managing your PA, you may want to go direct to a top-tier prime broker like RBS, UBS etc... less leverage but better credit rating -> more peace of mind... your call ;-)