JTH's Account Talk

[JTH]

My personal opinion is that you trade intuitively, but don't realize it. That anyone can use T/A to support either direction. That your T/A is driven by your intuition, and not that your trades are driven by your T/A.

You are correct, it's not that I don't think a system can't be built, but to be honest, I'm a right-brained idea man who lacks the left-brained capabilities of building a flawless ANN-style system. Unfortunately, every time I've built a system with rules, I end up boxing myself into a corner where my intuition conflicts with the rules. And while most folks think me to be a technical analyst, the truth is the rules surrounding TA are flawed, outdated and ever-evolving. What works today doesn't work tomorrow, its the acceptance of these flaws that allows me to think outside the box.

 

[userque]

...My personal opinion is that you trade intuitively, but don't realize it. ...

imho

You are correct, it's not that I don't think a system can't be built, but to be honest, I'm a right-brained idea man who lacks the left-brained capabilities of building a flawless ANN-style system. Unfortunately, every time I've built a system with rules, I end up boxing myself into a corner where my intuition conflicts with the rules. And while most folks think me to be a technical analyst, the truth is the rules surrounding TA are flawed, outdated and ever-evolving. What works today doesn't work tomorrow, its the acceptance of these flaws that allows me to think outside the box.

Ok. I see you do realize it

...

"a flawless ANN-style system"

Now there's an oxymoron. LOL.

 

[JTH]

Ok. I see you do realize it

...

"a flawless ANN-style system"

Now there's an oxymoron. LOL.

I do think that a flawless ANN can be built, I just know I can't build it with my brain. This reminds me of the pioneers building the first chess computers, much of the same principles and obstacles apply here. If you are able to build a system that has different conditions for different characters (or market moods, sort of like Ann playing different style chess players) then I would think it can be done successfully.

Not ANN, but interesting, you may want to check out the free Ninja trading platform where you are able to create conditions that meet your expectations based on the market data you've loaded. Warning, for the average guy, there's a steep learning curve. At one time I had it configured to do various scans based on TSPs EoB closes. At that time, I learned a great deal about moving averages and other indicators, but when I upgraded the software I lost the config file and was unable to duplicate the process. Truth is, its capabilities were beyond my comprehension and I was lucky to get as far with it as I did, (considering the time I was able to put into it). Processing scans with 50+ years of data was very resource intensive, so having a second computer is recommended or you'll never get to do anything else.

If you are interested in pursuing some ANN, send me a PM, I may be able to provide some ideas which could provide the incite a computer can't generate. I do believe broad flexibility is the key to a successful ANN platform.

 

[userque]

I do think that a flawless ANN can be built, I just know I can't build it with my brain. This reminds me of the pioneers building the first chess computers, much of the same principles and obstacles apply here. If you are able to build a system that has different conditions for different characters (or market moods, sort of like Ann playing different style chess players) then I would think it can be done successfully.

Not ANN, but interesting, you may want to check out the free Ninja trading platform where you are able to create conditions that meet your expectations based on the market data you've loaded. Warning, for the average guy, there's a steep learning curve. At one time I had it configured to do various scans based on TSPs EoB closes. At that time, I learned a great deal about moving averages and other indicators, but when I upgraded the software I lost the config file and was unable to duplicate the process. Truth is, its capabilities were beyond my comprehension and I was lucky to get as far with it as I did, (considering the time I was able to put into it). Processing scans with 50+ years of data was very resource intensive, so having a second computer is recommended or you'll never get to do anything else.

If you are interested in pursuing some ANN, send me a PM, I may be able to provide some ideas which could provide the incite a computer can't generate. I do believe broad flexibility is the key to a successful ANN platform.

Right. Increases in computing power led to better chess programs. Chess has finite pieces, with finite moves, on a finite board. By finite, I not only mean limited; I mean small as well. Stocks are tied to so many things; so many factors; some purported to be random: It would take a Super Super Computer to get it exact in a usable timeframe.

Agree about the broad flexibility. I will reach out to you when I get to that point. I appreciate the offer. There are some things computers, and left-brained folks don't do so well and can use a little help with.

I remember Ninja from years ago. Never used them though. I'll check them out. Thanks for the tip.

 

[JTH]

Testing the shelf of support...

View attachment 28817

 

[Birchtree]

Trannies best May in 23 years.

 

[userque]

JTH, downloaded/installed the NinjaTrader platform. But it can't connect to its servers yet to validate...I'll post again when I take it for a test spin. Thanks for the info...looks good so far.

 

[JTH]

JTH, downloaded/installed the NinjaTrader platform. But it can't connect to its servers yet to validate...I'll post again when I take it for a test spin. Thanks for the info...looks good so far.

I think you will have to configure to connect to the Yahoo servers, it's the only place that provides free data (that i know of)

 

[userque]

JTH, downloaded/installed the NinjaTrader platform. But it can't connect to its servers yet to validate...I'll post again when I take it for a test spin. Thanks for the info...looks good so far.

I think you will have to configure to connect to the Yahoo servers, it's the only place that provides free data (that i know of)

Yeah, haven't got to that part yet.

It seems to start even though it doesn't validate. I'll give it a day or so, maybe the problem is on their end. Everything seems fine on mine. (I even lowered my shields...firewall.)

Anywho, since it seems to be ready to work even without validating (software seems to start fine after OK'ing the error message), I'll try it in a day or so by importing data rather than downloading it via the software. I've already got plenty of data from yahoo as well as google.

 

[JTH]

View attachment 28823

Yeah, haven't got to that part yet.

It seems to start even though it doesn't validate. I'll give it a day or so, maybe the problem is on their end. Everything seems fine on mine. (I even lowered my shields...firewall.)



Anywho, since it seems to be ready to work even without validating (software seems to start fine after OK'ing the error message), I'll try it in a day or so by importing data rather than downloading it via the software. I've already got plenty of data from yahoo as well as google.

Sorry, I wish I could be more help, I know having the yahoo configed opened up more indexes to work with. There is also an extensive forum, that's where I was able to get help with the config files.

 

[jpcavin]

Sorry, I wish I could be more help, I know having the yahoo configed opened up more indexes to work with. There is also an extensive forum, that's where I was able to get help with the config files.

I always wanted to get Ninja Trader but didn't want to pay the price. Are you saying there is a way to use it for free?

Sorry to butt in on your conversation.

 

[JTH]

I always wanted to get Ninja Trader but didn't want to pay the price. Are you saying there is a way to use it for free?

Sorry to butt in on your conversation.

As far as I recall it is free but you would have to pay to get a live data feed (or something to that effect).

 

[jpcavin]

Right, that's what I'm talking about. The data feed. So no free ride .

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

TOS platform, with a papertrade account is free realtime data... or it was... I have TDA accounts now so its a mute point for me...

 

[airlift]

I am completely ignorant as to what the Ninja trader is, how it is supposed to work, and what are the benefits to be had. Can you please give me a short briefing? Does one need to have a brokerage trading account with them? Thanks to all!

 

[userque]

I am completely ignorant as to what the Ninja trader is, how it is supposed to work, and what are the benefits to be had. Can you please give me a short briefing? Does one need to have a brokerage trading account with them? Thanks to all!

Check out their site for details:
NinjaTrader stock, futures and forex charting software and online trading platform.

Generally, it is a trading platform usable with several different brokerages. It allows all the standard bells and whistles. It also allows for the backtesting of standard and advanced, customized, programmed, indicators.

However, after getting it up and fully running, I've found that the free version only allows historical backtesting on a select number of futures instruments.

In addition to their website, you can search for videos regarding tutorials and backtesting if you're interested further.

 

[airlift]

Check out their site for details:
NinjaTrader stock, futures and forex charting software and online trading platform.

Generally, it is a trading platform usable with several different brokerages. It allows all the standard bells and whistles. It also allows for the backtesting of standard and advanced, customized, programmed, indicators.

However, after getting it up and fully running, I've found that the free version only allows historical backtesting on a select number of futures instruments.

In addition to their website, you can search for videos regarding tutorials and backtesting if you're interested further.

Userque,

I still have to read the link, but I want to thank you for the clarification. I did read that some guys are having problems with downloading the platform and getting it up and running. I have to avoid complicating things with too much hassle, because I am not very skilled in computers; although I would like to test the platform further.

By the way, I like the results of the testing competition that you are carrying out in another thread. You guys have lots of technical percentage and pattern recognition experience, which I lack, but I find it interesting and absorbing just the same! Thanks again.

 

[userque]

Userque,

I still have to read the link, but I want to thank you for the clarification. I did read that some guys are having problems with downloading the platform and getting it up and running. I have to avoid complicating things with too much hassle, because I am not very skilled in computers; although I would like to test the platform further.

By the way, I like the results of the testing competition that you are carrying out in another thread. You guys have lots of technical percentage and pattern recognition experience, which I lack, but I find it interesting and absorbing just the same! Thanks again.

airlift,

The problem was on my end. I got it downloaded with no problems after I corrected my issues. Glad you like the competition!

 

[JTH]

I do have to say, I would not have suggested trying Ninja to the majority, frankly most of you aren't willing to put in the work required to get it up and running, but once it's working, I think you can learn something from it. Some of you here have helped me a great deal with my more complex excel formulas, those are the type of people who should be able to do well with this platform (the ones who understand writing conditional concepts.)

 

[Birchtree]

I simply let Mindylou handle all the scut work - she's my go getter.