Daniel, re TradeStation: the freeware (Wall Street Analyst/SE) does not have alerts, it does (or did) include bollinger bands (I just looked), does not let you copy data/studies in or out, does not let you write your own studies/systems, does not include the system and backtesting capability, and does not have the TS Quickoptions task code. Not sure, but I guess the QuickOptions is an OptionStation precursor or stripped-down version. I haven't mucked with QO, it just showed up with TS4 (I purchased TS3.5 originally).
WSA/SE does use exactly the same menu structure (including right click lists) so any mental software you might build dinking around with WSE/SE will directly transfer to TS.
If you are having difficultly committing funds, buying a delayed intra-day quote feed and using the freeware is a cheap way to put off making a real-time/charting decision. Omega does offer a 10-month zero percent financing payment plan to reduce the sticker shock on TS.
I do not know your specifics, but if you are not COMMITTED to trading/speculating/investing full-time, the outlay may not make sense. If you have formed the commitment, I offer this recommendation: of all the difficulties I have had trading, second-quessing my choice of tradestation has not been one of them.
Cheers!
P.S. You may have some bargaining power on price on BMI at the end of the month or quarter. No garaunties (sp?), but if you make contact a week or two before month or quarter end the salesman may attempt to close you by the end of his evaluation (bonus) period by dangling a good-only-till deal. Good luck! |
