Tom,
I don't know if it is necessary to devote all system resources to RT. I do know that I have a separate computer/isp for mIRC, so my trading computer is normally free for RT only. Since I got ADSL, however, I have run Netscape Communicator and one mIRC channel on the same computer with RT3 with no apparent problems. I have never had any software glitch problems with RT or Windows 95. I believe this may be due to the fact that when I decided to switch to MBT from Datek, I bought a Dell 400/128 computer. This has served me well and I think that working on older machines is going to cause headaches, just as using 56k is going to cause headaches.
My approach to eliminating problems has been to isolate variables with A) best computer available B) best connection/isp available (although I can still step up from 256k ADSL to 1.5mbps and will eventually) and C)challenging MBT to get their end right. They have worked very hard on the latter and I can verify that their internet connectivity is probably tops in the business right now.
All of which doesn't mean that new glitches don't come along. Backbones go down, servers act up, software glitches turn up and have to be hacked, etc. My way of dealing with ongoing developments is to participate daily in #mbtrading. I help newbies as much as I can and I get help from MBT and from MBT users who have more tech experience than I. When problems come up, a committed team of MBT tech staff and MBT users jumps all over it and works on it till it is solved. It is an interesting process. I have learned a lot by participating. I have perfected my own system so that I get smooth fast data flow with minimal problems. Most important, my frustration level is down to zero. I have learned to work with the system and make it work for me. Lots of good lessons in it and I have enjoyed the process.
Celebrating my one year anniversary as a full time trader this week. What a year! I look forward to my second year with enthusiasm and excitement.
Best of luck Tom.
Rick |
