Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Non-Tech : Quote.com QCharts -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: E. Davies who wrote (5564)	1/14/2000 8:14:00 PM
From: Robert Graham	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17977

I do agree that to compete in this market QCharts should be giving you after-hour T&S prints. I had not expected the charts to melt down on me in the middle of a trade. Qcharts is just as unreliable during the day as it is after hours. Do you expect me to never trade? I find QCharts rarely to "melt down" in the middle of a trade. I see a glitch like where it can stop displaying data perhaps once every couple weeks. Have you considered your Internet service? And as a well-thought out plan to trading entails, there needs to be a backup, including a disaster plan. So what you are saying is that you used QCharts without proofing it for your uses? I used QCharts for a few months before relying on it for my trades. Not a good idea to tie your financial future to a product because Joe over here on a SI thread says its the "cats meow" for his needs. And what about your backup feed? The Internet and the service provided through the Internet can be prone to problems entirely separate of QCharts. Don't tell me you do not have one? For myself, I am preparing to have a backup chart service provider that is not based on the Internet. Also I am still looking for an online brokerage that has good support from their trading desk, which is a non-Internet based backup for the handling of trades. Just keep in minds all off this I see as being under my control, which I believe is also all under your own control for your situation. I use due prudence in planning and implementing my trading tools, the same careful consideration I use in my trades. Not because the tools themselves can cost me significant monies, for I use well-placed stops. But for the missed profits on significant trades that I can miss during the day since my livelihood depends on me generating income in this way. The Tharp book may be of interest to you. Just some suggestions. Good trading to you! :-) Bob Graham

To: E. Davies who wrote (5564)	1/14/2000 8:25:00 PM
From: Matthew L. Jones	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 17977

Eric, I assume you do this for a living as I see you on SI a lot and you seem to be very well versed in trading. On the basis of that assumption, I wouldn't dream of questioning the validity of your trade selection on your decision to carry those trades over into the extended sessions. I would ask you this, however: If you do this for a living (as many others on this thread and I do), what do you use for a backup? I know I have three quote packages (although I use Q-Charts almost exclusively). I have Nasdaq Level 2 on two of them. I have futures quotes on two of them. I have a backup computer (as many other professionals do). I have three modems and three separate ISP accounts. I have cell phone backup. I have UPS's on all of my network and a spare modem on my notebook computer which also has a battery. I have a backup brokerage account, in the event I have a problem with one. I said all that to say this-- I am responsible for my own trading. If I have a problem (even if it is not my doing) like I did yesterday when my brokerage's computer went down while I had a trade on and the idiot on their trading desk couldn't even accurately tell me the position I had in the market, it is still my responsibility. I have placed my trades in full knowledge of the fact that "stuff happens". I therefore have in place backup systems which prevent me from getting myself in trouble. I wish I could say that I have always been so cautious, but unfortunately I cannot. I think it took me two very expensive trades (15K December 98 and 38K February 99) which were neither technically my fault before I figured out that they are really all my fault. I wish you a better and cheaper education in this area than what mine cost. I urge you... no I plead with you, save yourself an expensive education and get yourself backups. I can let you know of a direct access firm which will GIVE you FREE Real Tick 3 with Level 2 if you open an account with them (minimum size 10K). They have no trading requirements. I have placed one order with them in three months. They are one of my backups. I think I also posted you a link to the ISLD book which is also free. However you do it, redundancy is absolutely critical for a trading professional. Even the best systems out their have their problems. And I believe that Q-Charts is the best package out there-- but it is not without problems. Just don't allow their problems, or anyone elses for that matter, to cost you money. It's your money. As good as any of these companies may be, they will not pay your bills when you're broke. Matt