jpennybags

If you're tired of everything being rigged, this November vote against the rigged system by voting for Donald Trump. This is truly your last chance to save America from being overthrown by a totalitarian regime of criminals who will crush every last iota of freedom and liberty in America. I am amused... I will toss away my vote this election cycle and go with the libertarian party for president (my mind is made up). Libertarians: "conservatism without all the bullshit". I'm even amused at my own statement, in this single regard... Has there ever been a time when "it" wasn't "rigged"? The entire argument is rigged, and it's rigged by you (me). You (we) are getting played, and it comes with our own ignorant bias (simple mindedness) that can be exploited. It has never been any different; it will never be any different. That is politics... So... back to the OP. Are oil prices manipulated... well yes, you ignorant fuck (what else would you expect). My advice is the same though... trade it as you see it... it's as close to freedom as you will ever get.

This recommendation for something to read would fall into the category of “it may not cure what ails you, but it won't kill you”… If I were to take on students, a precursor to receiving my instruction would be several months of learning the practice of meditation and mindfulness. I don't think formal instruction is necessary, but just an introduction through your own reading, and daily practice would suffice. I've heard the claims that “pure” systems traders make about trading with no fear: “I trust the system, and there is no fear in trading the system”. I would not (could not) dispute that claim; if it's true for you then it's true. I have no argument one way or the other (though I do question the assertion). Regardless, as I mentioned at the top: “it won't kill you”. I approach most everything in life and learning in a practical and pragmatic manner, and I would not encourage devoting a great deal of time to meditation; thirty minutes a day is all it takes to begin to understand mindfulness. There are a great many claims about the benefits of mindfulness, but I think (in a practical sense) for traders, the benefit comes in learning to listen to the thoughts that stream into your consciousness in a passive rather than reactionary manner. For what it's worth, it has helped me; not so much in dealing with fear, but in my thought process leading up to trade entry, managing the trade and making the exit. For the record, my problems came with being a little too fearless and aggressive. It has helped with that aspect too… though I'm still a work in progress. I've read all the books that are listed, and while I claim no expertise on the subject, it is where I started… Meditation: An In-Depth Guide https://www.amazon.com/Meditation--Depth-Guide-Ian-Gawler/dp/1585428612/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469810805&sr=1-1&keywords=meditation+an+in+depth+guide As to trading and mindfulness: Trade Mindfully: Achieve Your Optimum Trading Performance with Mindfulness and Cutting Edge Psychology https://www.amazon.com/Trade-Mindfully-Performance-Mindfulness-Psychology/dp/1118445619/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469811004&sr=1-1&keywords=gary+dayton

A book that discusses the science behind exercise and the brain... it may just inspire you to get some exercise... Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Oh My! I can see how my analogy to trading and guru's may have been taken literally in reference to the first definition. For all concerned... not my intent.

From Merriam-Webster: Guru... A religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism (If that's your thing) A teacher or guide that you trust (define trust...) A person who has a lot of experience in or knowledge about a particular subject (My plumber qualifies...) In reference to the first definition: You can listen to the sermon, but what you do after is up to you. Work out your own salvation in an honest way that both you and your god understand. The pastor won't answer for you at judgement day.

Like all things in trading it's system specific, but there are also differences in personality and temperament. If you are trading in the lesser time frames where decisions must be made quickly and you are taking multiple trades during the day, then simulation can be extremely helpful as a development tool because of the feedback loop inherent to that style of trading. For someone trading in the greater time frames that feedback loop is not there and simulation is not helpful at all. Regardless, simulation can be harmful to one's development if they hang out there too long. If you train for months on end in simulation and then go live, most people will find that they have a whole set of new issues to deal with. To my mind, it's best to get that stuff out in the open sooner rather than later. That way you can work out these issues in tandem with your own system development. Your knowledge base that you are building will be more complete, and your thought process will be more mature (possibly in less time as well).

To the OP... You've received a good deal of "cheer leading" here... keep in mind that misery loves company... Who can say where you will be in a few months, but unless something has changed since the sun came up today, most people fail within the first year of live trading. That in itself is not a big deal. Failure... don't worry about it. Keep this in mind: anyone that you take advice from today, will not be there to hold your hand tomorrow or the next day. Paying up for advice at your stage is a fool's game. Get some time trading live (where you have some skin in the game)... dude, it's only money, and you will discover some things about yourself that simulated trading can't provide. Nothing wrong with trading sim, but it's not real. If your intent is to just do this for sport, then by all means... get on with your bad self. If you want to do this for a living, you are going to have to learn to change and adapt to market conditions. I don't think there are any amount of advisors that can help you with that... that shit comes from within. Best of good fortune...

For those who can't leave trading alone for awhile, there are is a chapter or two that you may find helpful... "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469114797&sr=8-1&keywords=the+power+of+habit

Well... first off... you are not amusing me. Do you have a bit inspirational reading that you may want to add? What you may add to the conversation doesn't have to be earth shaking, just a matter of joining a conversation about something other than "trading" is at hand. An act of creative thinking that may catch the interest of other thinking humans. There was at one time a community of aspiring traders (some who had achieved) who frequented this site. The reasons for why this site has devolved into what it currently is, could be attributed to the notion: "everything good comes to an end". It may be that it just couldn't support it's own weight. It may come back, but I see no indication of that... thus far. If you are an aspiring trader, or you have achieved, I think it would be agreed that this business can be a tough nut to crack. From a personal perspective, I feel no need to talk trading all the time... it's kind of boring (I love this shit... I know my objectives and I don't need to waste time with yours) but, it is a pleasant thing to interact with others of a like mind. If one were to check out "the pic of the day" thread, there were people interacting around something other than trading. This was a good thing... it's a community thing, and something sorely missing. I'll close this all too unamusing statement by saying that in all honesty, I have not learned a damn thing from anyone on this site (save a couple of key interactions...you know who you are because I've thanked you). It's just good to have like minded folks to converse with. Nothing more...

Good gawd this forum sucks, and I'm about to introduce something that is destined to die in the weeds... This forum used to be kind of a fun place to hang out; not so much anymore. The "golden C's" have filled the void. If you are a new trader, I would advise that you run... not walk from this place. For those that would choose to continue... some levity may be a good thing. After fifty some odd years, I went back to read (reread) Jack London's "Call of the Wild". I couldn't say that my first reading was a pivotal moment in my life, but there are some parallels to learning to trade that may be of some small value to beginning traders... or not... it's more a matter of my own amusement... Anyone else got anything of mention to add (for my amusement... or your own)?

"Am I on the right track?"... In some regards, if you have to ask, then probably not. The first thing that comes to mind is in your language and the use of axioms and platitudes. This leaves the impression that you are not mature in your thinking. At this stage, no one would expect it to be any different... you are what you are at this point in time. I like "Mitsu" (the prior person to address your post) are discretionary traders who don't use indicators in our trading. I won't make the argument either way as to what I do over someone else (just not my thing) and my thoughts on the matter should be taken in that context. Whatever tools you choose to use need to be applied in context with market conditions, and what has just occurred. This kind of mastery over tools can only come with experience. It seems to me that you are not anywhere near that stage. The other item that comes to mind, is that there are two sides to successful trading: "method and madness". Method is actually the easy part of the equation, as any tool properly understood and applied will bring satisfactory results. Madness (your own bullshit and attitudes) is the tough nut to crack, and that solution(s) won't be found in simulation (for most people). So, in short: are you on the right track? You tell me.

Yes... the same thought crossed my mind too, and for the same reasons. If you should find an answer please post your solution. In the mean time there is a fix to stop the W10 upgrade: http://www.traderslaboratory.com/forums/general-discussion/20363-windows-10-push.html

Possibly I've been misunderstood... The application of empirical knowledge in trading is a necessary part of the learning process; otherwise we as chimps would have to reinvent the use of the stick as a tool for gathering ants in each generation. Some things work; some things don't. In practical matters “monkey-see-monkey-do” is a straight forward way of learning what works, but until this knowledge is brought into application by the student, the student will not understand what doesn't work and can only then begin to build theory as to why one way is better (more successful) than another. At the start it's “ants good / stick gets ants”. From there it should progress to what size stick; how long to leave stick in hole; straight stick or crooked stick. Consider this “learning to trade”. Then you toss in the “human condition” and all of the impracticality, emotions, fears, bias, and utter bullshit that makes us who we are as individuals… you are no longer dealing with the simple task of licking ants off of a stick, you are faced with human drama that just gets in the way of feeding yourself. Theory is good, application of theory is far more complex. For someone trading in the greater time frames theory can be applied with some success. For those trading in the lesser time frames theory must give way to intuition to some extent. Success in trading the lesser time frames is far more dependent on gut feel than in trading the greater time frames. The time frame that one finds success is largely dictated on personality and not desire; a square peg won't fit a round hole. These are all complex matters, as we are complex persons (egos), and to tell a beginning trader to start here and go there is well: “a bunch of gawd damned foolishness”. Experience is the best teacher, but empirical knowledge has it's place. A beginning trader should take the time and the bitter consequences of groping in the dark. This simple act of relying on your own wits will foster a knowledge of what needs to come next, and it will come from a place that is deep enough that can affect change. It's about adapting and building these skills (mental pathways) that will (may) bring success. We do so much, get in our own way. Learning to deal with that aspect is a large part of finding success; not for a week or a month, but in the long term. My opinion... nothing more.

Experience trumps knowledge every time... So called "knowledge" which is what can be transferred from one brain to another, involves the use of words as images (and the use of images as words). A writer can have a masterful knowledge of his or her language, but still come up woefully short in the transference of an idea; some may realize the intent, and some may not; for some they will find themselves led astray by nothing other than life experience and bias (for some an inadequate understanding of the language). This the problem with structured learning in trading, and moreover the so called "voice of trading" technique of do-this-do-that is that it just doesn't work in the real time... with your brain, temperament, and skills. Sorry guys... there is no easy out. I don't intend to leave the impression that I'm opposed to learning from others, but the real work comes from within; time is knowledge, and knowledge is time. Experience comes through the time of living in your own skin, and knowledge comes from the experience.

What else is new under the sun... It's as old as brains... half-truths and half-lies... that's life among the living. Your right to vote in action... The so-called 1% will see to it that nothing changes much. A divorce will take place (euro style) and everyone will get on with doing business (as it should be). Trade it as you see it...

I went to the Gibson Research "Never10" website and ran the fix... easy as can be. It doesn't download any software, it simply makes the registry modifications recommended by Microsoft (and as mentioned above by "silver"). The other satisfying result is the option to delete the W10 files that have been residing on my hard drive for months. Roughly 6GB of space restored... sweet. As I understand it, I can now continue to receive automated updates for W7 and not for W10 or the W10 upgrade. See how it goes... thanks for nothing Microsoft (@#$%%%%).

I fired up the trading computer today; just like every other day. During my morning ritual of waking up, I noticed that damnable "Update to Windows 10" screen had popped up... I ignored it. I continued with my ritual, and upon returning, the computer had gone into a conversion from W7 to W10 automatically. WTF? I powered down the computer which halted the process. Color me "pissed off". After doing some research, there are several articles which speak to this. If you don't do anything after that screen pops up, it will begin the conversion on it's own. If you select the "X" to close out the screen it will still continue the conversion. The only way to stop it is by selecting the opt-out (which no one seems to notice). I'm having some difficulty in believing this to be true, but that's what they say. After my experience today... I have to believe it. I have a "Surface 3" which runs on W10... I'm not impressed. I DO NOT WANT WINDOWS 10 ON A COMPUTER TO WHICH MY LIVELYHOOD DEPENDS!!!! Damn the MF's at MS. Now... it may be that I may feel somewhat exorcised by going into a "bitch fest", but I would prefer to find a solution: Solution 1: There is a free download called "Never10". It supposedly will not allow these updates to occur. Solution 2: Stop all updates from occurring automatically. I think either one would work for me. In the case of #2, this is a dedicated computer... it only goes to the broker and the data feed. No email; no web surfing. If it's working now, it should be fine without further automated updates, only using selective updates (I must profess a bit of ignorance on the subject). Any input would be appreciated.

"It's a club... and you're not in it" I rather like that statement. My data feed crashed a few minutes ago... I'm not in the club either. When I was starting out, I had the same questions. It seems that someone would have written a book (or attempted to) about how institutional traders become traders. The ins and outs of institutional trading. I don't know of any such book... If you take some time to consider the world of finance, I think you would realize that the details are complex and ever changing. There are so many different players working so many different schemes... how could anyone write a comprehensive book on the subject? I would assume (quite certain) there are confidentiality agreements that go along with being in said employment as well. That said... there are a couple of books that come to mind. Though these books would be worth nothing more than entertainment value to you. Jim Cramer / "Confessions of a Street Addict" (author that can't recall) / "Liar's Poker"

Mitsu... Long time no hear... hope you are doing well.

Well... welcome back zdo. zdo: If you would like to expound further... I'm all ears. Possibly though, we should leave the continuation of this conversation to "hantt" (whose thread we jacked). I kinda have a feeling that it would just be you and I "blathering" on... to no avail. hantt: If you would like to hear more... start another thread... "Simulation. What is it good for?". Or some such thing...

David... How would you propose that without much money or time that you would take up trading? It requires a lot of both. The money should be something that you could take a match to without any deep sense of loss, and the time (commitment) is another issue that may effect your quality of life. I would venture that this trading thing is not for you... it's not what you think it is, and there really are more constructive things to do with your time. If you've thought about it for 20 years, take another year to do some reading. You will have a better sense of what it's all about. You can start anywhere, the web is full of information and it's free.

You know (zdo… mi amigo), there was a time when this thread would have stacked 4 pages of opinion by now; so much for getting a discussion going. I notice that “hantt” has returned… sorry to have jacked your thread, but possibly there is some useful insight to be had. I think the discussion has about ended. From past conversations with zdo… if we are in disagreement it's only by degrees. I would defer to his experience over my own, because he has a much broader scope to draw from (I am a sampling of one, and all I have to go from is my own experience). I had not heard before, his explanation as to why he insists (encourages) that new traders trade from a “live” account. I understand better now why he's drawn this conclusion. In the past, when I have advised new traders to trade “sim”, it has been advice drawn from my own experience… my own painful experience. The advice is “don't do what I did”. There have also been times that I offered that advice, because after having a conversation with them, it becomes obvious that they are under capitalized, and trading with money they can't afford to lose. And again, there have been times, after having this conversation, it becomes obvious that they don't have “the right stuff”... and what do you do with that… it's just more socially comfortable to direct them somewhere that they will do the least damage. So, “hantt” you are going to get some advice from folks that you are going to have to put into your own context of experience, and choose your own direction. It's a slog that everyone who visits these forums has to go through. As to the subject “to sim or not to sim”: I think a blanket statement is not that helpful. If one wants to trend trade, swing trade, or some other such method that utilizes longer time frames my opinion is that simulation is worthless (this where I started). If you choose to trade the shorter time frames (where I am now), simulation has it's place (up to a point). The desired outcome is to go “live” as quickly as possible in any regard. There is a reason for this… the easiest thing to do when trading “live” is to not take a trade, in simulation this is the hardest thing. For myself, I have always had the ability to trade simulation as if it were “live”. My results don't vary all that much… I'm bit more aggressive in simulation, but only slightly. If you can't trade simulation in this manner, then I think it probably does more harm than good. For me it has been a useful development tool, for others it may not be. Where I am now… I use simulation every day to review things I may have done differently. I trade simulation on Monday mornings (before the open), just to shake off the rust from the weekend. I think “sim” can be your friend, just don't make it your best friend… your best friend is the truth.

Alright... I must concede your point (so far...up to a point, but I'll need to hear more). I was raised a feral child... the market was my wolf pack. I traded "live" from the start... I doubt that this had much to do with my eventual success, but possibly it did. In all honesty, I could not point to any one thing that turned it for me. It was a combination of things to be sure (or, at least that is my perception). There is one thing that can be said for trading "live": "you are stripped bare naked, and all is exposed". There is a certain "get real" tenure that can be gained through that. That said... Would you explain further your theory as to why this deviance from the norm occurs in those that choose to begin trading "live" from the start? Seems to me that they are over anxious knuckle heads (see my own admission from above). I really can't believe that I'm playing your "straight man" here, but it has been such a long time since there has been an interesting discussion... I'm willing...

I am loathe to think of myself as "the voice of trading"... an unavoidable quagmire... best to keep your mouth closed and don't breathe too deeply. Truth of the matter is, that it probably won't make a difference whether you trade "live", trade "sim", or just sit and watch (though, I would prefer the last option, as one can learn a great deal by being observant and thinking like a criminal... just relax about punching that buy / sell button). Chances are this is not going to be the grand career move that you have envisioned. Trading is not the end-all-be-all, and working for "the man" is not a bad gig. So many fail at this. It is a process that either you get through or you don't... most don't. So... do what you want, it makes no difference to "me", or the "voice of trading"...

Spooky... I applaud your desire to find a way out of SSD, but please understand that this is a business with an extremely high rate of failure. I can't know the full extent of your disability, but if there is any other type of employment that you would be suited for... well, I think I would place my efforts with that instead. That said... PM me, and we can talk further. I'm not interested in taking on a student (at any price), but if you wouldn't mind further sharing (privately) about your disability, resources, and income requirements, I may be able to make some recommendations. Best of good fortune to you...