hi kymar, i´m using ts6 in exact the same way you´re describing here. unfortunately you cant show more then 20 level 2 windows... although takes away some grip off the linking-discussion, it would still be quite helpful to have it. entering symbols manually if you wanna show a stock that is not included in your workspaces is really annoying. kev//
Talked to TS today, and yes they have heard the users want speed keys for order routing and order placement, and yes the users want linked windows But they don't know when they'll get it. Maybe they never will, because it appears they are swamped with new client prospects. He said they have been really busy with new client inquiries. Probably as a result of the lower commissions and user fee. I am going to give them a try anyhow unless there is a better alternative. The 1.2 cents a share makes it easier to trade, because you don't have to think too much about commission overhead when you enter and exit trades. Protrader just sent us all an Easter present, data feed up to $200.00 per month. Just bought out by Instinet apparently, and new policies. I don't understand this, we are the ones who pay their bills, isn't this supposed to be a two way street? Appreciate all of your posts on this subject.
"I don't understand this, we are the ones who pay their bills, isn't this supposed to be a two way street? " you vote with your feet.
VHEHN, Voting with my feet--UBETCHA The only outfit I've kept a long term account with is IB. It's LOTS of trouble to change accounts around, but if that's what they want, OK. The rest of them think that once they have you as a client, they can do whatever they want and you'll stay. WRONG. Whenever they raise the rates, time to move on. I do like the speed keys to order route and place orders and the analytical charts on Protrader. But I will just have to get used to not having them on TS. Clicking on an L2 for ordering and changing symbols with TS has got to be slower too. But for the amount I'll save on the user fee and the commissions, I could afford to get a really good realtime chart support program. Of all the posts on this thread, it seems like TS and Pointdirex are the only alternatives. ECHO has a good rate, but you need to be a Series 7 to trade there. Out of my league anyhow. Appreciate all of you posting here. It has been most helpful. Thanks again.
Damn! Tough competition out there. PD lower base commission to 0.05-0.07. Are this company making any money to stay alive.
They also charge ECN fees. Their website is kinda scary and they haven't been around long. I 'd say steer clear. Also I see TRAD hit another new low today. No reason to go near that sinking ship either. imho.
The 2000i site gives a "late 2002" date for THE BIG UPGRADE - but isn't very specific - and I would not be at all surprised to see it or pieces of it come earlier, or later: Certain helpful changes to the order entry set-up and chart/datafeed have periodically been part of "minor" upgrades. Though I've been "pro-TS" in my posts, I've tried to underline that at this point the platform remains arguably behind RealTick (with order entry), CyberTrader, and a few others, on fast entry order placement. Let me add, though, that IF you use EasyLanguage to codify entry conditions, and apply the resultant signal or signals to whatever charts, then at least in those circumstances you can leap ahead of any merely "linked" set-up. This method does require dealing with a second set of complications (peculiarities of writing signals and employing them), but also opens up a number of interesting possibilities, and, presuming that you write the signal effectively and use it intelligently, the result does allow near-instantaneous responses to market conditions. It also allows you to "leave" a chart you've been studying without worrying that you'lll miss "the big moment": You can accept the order, ignore it, cancel it, or click go to the chart and then decide. In short, you can use the signal and its partial automation as an augmented "alert" that also provides a ready-to-go order. Manually entered stop orders provide a different kind of alternative. And it should also be noted that there are still other options that apply specifically and at this point exclusively to exiting, and which do allow for very fast action. All this being said, many traders may still find the more straightforward fast-reaction order-entry linking available right now on other platforms easier to learn and use. Of course, none of this will matter if the company burns through its cash and dies. Supposedly, they still had enough to make it to the end of the year at least. Stock down to new low as noted, just above $1, but maybe it's oversold... reflexive reaction to the new commission rates? Falling wedge with false breakdown? We'll see...
What do you recommend for competitive commisssions and reasonalbe user fees, if you're not keen on TS and PD?