Eric: I run two instances of AmiBroker simutaneously, both using IB (plan to try IQF later). One is a tick database for tick charts and S/S. The other is a 5 second database for all other charts. The tick database is set to backfill minimum only (this is only option with IB plug-in for tick data). I don't force backfill of tick data, nor try to save a tick data history. I keep a 5 second history which is fine for playback review, etc (not S/S though).
LOL, both of those I found were too "pretty" and caused me to look at the DOM when I wasn't supposed to. If it's just numbers you only see the wall if you look, so for now I stick with the Bracket Trader DOM.
I don't recall posting a powerpoint of this, but if you go to the May PDF there is a detailed tutorial with pics. edit: looks like bundle found it for you already
It's easy to do it in QT too, using the PaintBar. <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1633029>
What software are folks using to place trades with IB? I currently use BracketTrader DOM ladder, however it shows what the current profit and loss is for the trade and is a bit of a distraction from the MADA process. I looked at TWS book trader. A few issues that pop up right a way: Close & reverse position are Limit orders (cannot figure out how to make them market), also cannot automatically attach a stop to the order like BracketTrader does. Just trying to get a fell for what others are using. I could create my own software but I would rather invest that time to get better with the JH method.
I also used bracket trader for a while, but switched to IB's book trader. You can customize the user defined buttons any way you wish in booktrader. I have buy market, sell market, reverse, and close all. All have instant execution. You just set them up. Also explore the alt-left click, IIRC, it will send forward bracket orders in booktrader. you can also set the offsets any way you wish in hot keys, again IIRC. The setups are a few menu's deep, but once you find them, there is great power there. Good luck!
For Vista and R/R: Here is my screen shot of Str/Squ on Quotetracker. The left and middle windows are the setup in QT (they get covered up with my ES, YM, and S/S charts during the trading day) . The window on the right is the S/S chart itself. Editing the $Cash (offset) value as shown in the left hand (Portfolio/edit portfolio) window will center Str/Squ around zero. The offset tends to drift somewhat during the trading day so you will have to observe the average Str/Squ bars over the last 10 or so minutes and adjust the offset accordingly. Remember, with S/S, only the movement of the last bar is useful for anticipating market movement near points of change, so a wide chart of past S/S is not useful.
Thanks moose, Are you sure your reverse and close all are market orders? I tried 'reverse' and 'close all' in a paper trading account and they were executed as limit orders ( because a close all did not get filled). I have attached a screen shot for configuring the buttons for close all and sell. For the sell button one can configure Order type and specify MKT whereas for Close position, one cannot specify Order type. I am using TWS version 872.6. <img src="http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1653788">
Mine are set to default = market. Try right clicking on a sell/buy button instaed of the close button. There should be an option there to attach a stop loss/trailing stop. Edit: it must use some kind of logic when you hit close/reverse, cuz if you're in a position, say for instance long, and hit close twice when you don't get filled right away, like on a FOMC day, you're now short. So I assume they're trying to sell at market, but you're getting delayed due to congestion, then you hit it again cuz you're not sure you hit it, and on and on....