I was first skeptical thereof but then reassesed my approaches and developed what looks like a truly breakthrough algo which I am now testing publicly on these boards: http://www.elitetrader.com/et/index.php?threads/from-zero-to-hero-in-a-years-time.298779/ Looking back, it was my reliance on technical analysis that kept me stuck. After I figured the number of unique market situations was endless (so it's impossible to account for all or even most of them in a code) and technical analysis no longer works on increasingly manipulated markets, I was able to code my first system to survive (and even generate stunning profits) over any period of time on backtests without any parameters optimization. How is it for you? Are you a complete robots skeptic rejecting them entirely, a believer in semi-automated robotic trading under a constant human oversight, or an ardent fan of trading bots which have by now made you rich beyond your wildest dreams?
First method I automated was 1995 for Long Term Commodities on a 286 PC that use 5.25 inch disks, still have them too. I still use it though upgraded HD. Long term does not have to be complicated. I have made changes to system through the years to add more signals but another computer gets final signal and applies correct hedges. I use twelve other automate systems that run 24/6, we will check daily signals, but after awhile of some running years, less checking is needed. "We" have been working on an options system and that has been a challenge of the underlying and discounted/prem options as it is to ne a directed system, based on charting/indicators. It has been fun though, am sure is will be much more reliable than manually doing it and be able to look over much more as well. I doubt if I ever run out of ideas of developing systems, some people do crossword puzzles and this is my hobby of sorts. But any good system programmer to final product takes much time between coding and then trading one lots for a year before increasing size. Maybe I am more conservative, but way I do it. I think the best way though is manually trade to make wealth as by then you have amassed market knowledge, knowledge gathering is ongoing, trading skills are ongoing based on market knowledge. It simple can't get better than for no reason. I can see in handful of years, won't be doing manual trading at all, but always be trying to improve, and that takes greatest amount of time. I live a rather frugal existence, way I grew up, so my needs aren't much and have no wants cept better health. Trading is a game to me, never relied much on it, always worked on having other entities to generate a future. Starbuck time.
I got into automated trading because I am a good researcher/tester but am terrible at pulling the trigger and at interfering with trades. Automation has unlocked the potential and allowed me to diversify trading systems - and believe me - that is a close to a holy grail as it gets. Automation is not for everyone, but I know that a very large percentage of the long term successful traders code their strategies.