Archive for the 'Tools' Category

Tech / Geek / Nerd stuff

Published on July 15, 2011, 10:11 pm in Tools. Closed Tags: .

Since WTFtrading.com launched back in January 2008, I’ve learned a lot about software, hardware, programming, customer support and the list goes on and on and on. I have also come to realize that my site is becoming painfully harder to manage and update. It’s not because I don’t have the time or skills, but because when I first started building the site I didn’t plan anything. Images and text where thrown into one folder and some in another, pages where on the root and others in folders 2 or 3 deep. And then, I moved the entire site from its birth site to its own domain name.

A page addition or update that should only take minutes was easily taking an hour or more. So I have decided to redesign the entire site, front to back, top to bottom. I have already begun researching other web sites for style and functional design, looking over templates and learning even more about programming in C# and ASP.Net, and also looking at some content management systems (CMS).

I want the new site to have not only a new look and feel, but a complete overhaul of the directory structure and coding. It will probably be a while before I launch the new site. I want to make sure that I get everything 100% this time before launch.

I just wanted to get this out there, because now that I have told everyone, I will need to follow through and git ‘er done! Until then I will continue working and posting to this site. Please let me know your likes, dislikes and thoughts. Happy trading!

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My friend Ben

Published on July 13, 2011, 11:39 pm in Tools and Trading. Closed

Wasn’t that nice of him to float a QE3 bost? The markets sure liked it…for a while. And look at those commodities. Gold bugs are looking at 1600 now.

And again there is a selloff into the close. I’ve learned my lesson…go light during OpEx! Be careful out there and happy trading.

P.S. Hoping you’re getting to the site alright….having a few issues and don’t know if it’s the website or the ISP.

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No work!

Published on July 8, 2011, 8:39 pm in Tools and Trading. Closed

Just noticed that my blog posts have not been updating my Facebook page since the beginning of May. Geez, shows you how often I visit my own Facebook page, duh!

Anyways…today was a downer day in the market, as the Non-farm payroll report was awful, no ugly, no decimating, or whatever. Indexes gapped down and stayed down. But, near the end of the day, the bulls appeared and started buying, cutting the morning loss in half. Looking good for Monday, especially if Potus and Congress work out a deal on debt.

Have a great weekend!

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A nothing day….

Published on July 5, 2011, 10:57 pm in Tools and Trading. Closed

…unless of course you’re Casey Anthony! But stocks were stuck in a narrow range on low volume. Was this just another summer day? After all was said and done, some indexes closed up and others closed down, a mixed bag but all around breakeven.

During these slow times I like to play with EasyLanguage in Tradestation and explore indicators and strategies. This summer I’m taking my favorite indicators and creating startegies and then backtesting on different timeframes. Very eye-opening! Besides learning more about programming, I find out a lot about my indicators….like they might not be all I thought they were. Still experimenting, but I’m looking into changing my trading plan! I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks for reading and good luck tomorrow!

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Give a little, take a lot

Published on March 8, 2011, 9:13 pm in Tools and Trading. Closed

Oil gave back a little of its recent rise, and stocks moved up triple digits. Does anyone question that trading is about psychology?

For the past two weeks the down volume has been much greater than the up volume. Hmmm.

Lots of hardware and Internet issues for me this week. Sems like everytime I get on line, either my computer croaks or the cable pukes. Lord help me! :cry:

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A new beginning

Published on January 1, 2011, 10:32 am in Opinions, Tools and Trading. Closed

As my first post of 2011, I want to make sure to thank all of you, the readers of this blog, especially those that comment or email me their own thoughts and questions. You make me think and I thank you for that. It makes me a better trader and a better person.

Also all the followers of @WhatTheTrading on Twitter and StockTwits…thank you. Everybody at both of these venues give me trading ideas and again, make me think.

In 2010 I experienced my worst, in terms of dollars lost, month ever…October. I also experienced my best month ever …November! It was strange that my worst was followed by my best. I want to think I paid attention to some lessons that were taught to me in October that would make for such a good November :D

And it’s learning from the failures I experienced in 2010 that will help me in 2011. No matter how much money you make, there is always something you can improve to make your trading better, easier, or more lucrative. Today and tomorrow, please review your trading plan, review your trading diary/log and jot down a few points you’re going to work on this year. What! No plan? No diary? Shame on you! Get moving on those before you buy another stock, option, or future contract.

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Geeky stuff

Published on October 25, 2010, 10:55 pm in Tools. Closed Tags: .

I had a few questions about computers so I thought I’d use links for my answers. First, here’s some interesting reading: The incredible growth of the Internet since 2000.

Several questions on RAID configuration for hard drives: RAID from Wikipedia.

And even more confusing than storage is video cards: Dual or Multi-Monitor Desktop Computer for Stock Trading and monitors: How to Choose an LCD Monitor for Stock Trading.

And here’s another implementation of trying to explain the computer to traders: How To Choose a Stock Trading Computer.

Hope these help and keep the questions coming!

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Trading computer

Published on October 21, 2010, 12:13 pm in Tools. Closed Tags: .

Finally added some information on my new trading computer. Look under the “Tools” section. I’ve provided links to detailed information from the manufacturers of all the ingredients….I guess Parts List would be the correct way to describe them. There’s also some pictures. Any questions? Just ask!

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Slow!

Published on October 11, 2010, 11:14 pm in Tools and Trading. Closed Tags: , , , .

Gee, were the markets open today? Not many trades…SPY and ES trading was less than half the average volume. Ugh! Makes for a boring day. But I was busy loading Tradestation and Infinity on the new machine. Tomorrow I start trading with it…I’m excited. Plus I can give my backup PC a breather.

The Beige book comes out tomorrow is all the news, but INTC reports after the close. Futures this evening are under the weather, which is just fine with me.

I did make some trades today, buying some November VXX calls and a position in QID….yes, I’m looking for some pullback here.

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A techno-weekend

Published on October 10, 2010, 11:19 pm in Charts, reading and Tools. Closed Tags: , , .

I spent this weekend building my new trading PC, searching the Internet for tech support and running to Best Buy to pick up a few things I missed. ;) But, by Sunday night I had Windows 7 installed on the SSD, or Tradestation, especially when backtesting strategies. I will document all I did and will put it up on the website, going through the process of why I picked the parts I incorporated into the PC….but I want to get it into the trading mix first.

I’m still not done, there’s a lot of data I need to extract from the old PC to the new, but, in the mean time, I’m trying to review the charts on my backup machine. Boy, the indexes sure look like they want to ride the bull! The S&P has been running up the 8EMA since the August lows. The rest are similar, but this whole volume thing has still got me wondering where the money is coming from….the Fed? GS? People still employed?

Here’s an idea: Americans Are Saving Too Much Money, So We Need Them Spending Again.

I guess I’ll get some sleep before trying to connect the new machine to the Internet. 8O

Thanks for checking in and good luck tomorrow!

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