Empty4 Build 500

[babalu4u]

For those considering cTrader, there's two issues I've found with it. One is an annoyance - I make a change to an indicator in cAlgo, rebuild it, but cTrader doesn't see the change. I have to restart cTrader for the new version of the indicator to be loaded.

Secondly, and this is more serious, you only have the data your broker provides for you, which goes back a very limited time period same as they do with Empty4. Unlike Empty4 you cannot load your own data, which means that while you can develop a sophisticated EA you have no means of running backtests over years of trading. I know not everyone believes in backtests (probably because Empty4's backtests are rubbish) but personally I'll never trade an EA with live money unless I see robust performance over a long time period, and with cTrader as it currently stands that's impossible.

There's a thread about the data issue on the cTrader forums (http://ctdn.com/forum/cbot-support/407) if anyone wants to chime in and encourage them to make it right.

More cAlgo problems - backtesting is slow, and there's no optimization at all. If you don't use them its obviously not an issue, but to be honest I'd have expected better :\ http://www.icmarkets.com has cTrader/cAlgo demos if anyone wants to check it out.

Got to hope a good alternative that provides for sophisticated EA development with accurate & fast backtesting (with optimization) presents itself soon. I really do not want to have to rely on Empty4 any longer...

ProRealTime (https://www.prorealtime.com/en/popup-wi ... plete_10_1) is introducing automated trading in its new version, but the programming language behind it is a bit limited & similar to cAlgo - limited backtest data + no optimization. Its GUI is awesome though, for what that's worth. Apparently you can trade directly through this software now (https://www.prorealtime.com/en/activatetrading), which is new to this version.

I send a suggestion on feedback button on cAlgo for speed up backtests and option for optimization and today I get email back from spotware :

Thank you for your feedback. We will continue to work on backtesting speed improvement. Optimization feature is also in our plan.

[slipshod]

It gets better, MetaQuotes is just warming up ...

We urge you to cease any cooperation with ZuluTrade, Tradency, Tradeo, Myfxbook and other companies that use the hacked protocols violating our rights.

http://forexmagnates.com/metaquotes-war ... zulutrade/

I guess if brokers refuse to co-operate MQ will send the boys over armed with baseball bats and violin cases. Another interesting point in the article below is that many brokers cannot get any support from MQ. Phone calls and chat messages aren't answered and emails aren't responded to. If they can't support their direct customers, the brokers, how on earth will MQ deliver the innovative services provided by the aforesaid hacker criminals? I can't see it happening.

[slipshod]

I send a suggestion on feedback button on cAlgo for speed up backtests and option for optimization and today I get email back from spotware :

Thank you for your feedback. We will continue to work on backtesting speed improvement. Optimization feature is also in our plan.

That's great to hear, thanks

[babalu4u]

This article is from spotware news
http://www.spotware.com/about/news-updates

Spotware Systems, developers of the FX platforms cTrader and cAlgo, have released details about their upcoming open API called Spotware Connect. The project will help third-party application developers easily build their own cTrader systems, and integrate existing FX related products into the cTrader platform.
Brian Martin, Vice President EMEA at Spotware Systems, said that the open API will allow for the creation and access of API capabilities as they are added. "We know that, just like any other software business, we need to be open to third-party integrations. There will be certain times at which users may want extra platform or analytic functionality, and Spotware Connect is about putting that power in their hands.
"We had 3 main principles in mind when we started this project. The first was that it should be open to absolutely everybody. You don't need to be a customer of a broker or anything like that. Secondly, we've made it extremely simple to start using, as we want to encourage people to really get going with this."
Finally, says Mr. Martin, once you do get going, Spotware Connect is relatively simple for even novices to grasp. "That was the point really, to make it as simple and user-friendly as a third-party developer application can be."
FX platforms and third party plugins have been making FX news recently, with platform developers and third party technology providers often in disagreement over the legality of plugins and platform modifications.
Stefanos Economides at Spotware Systems said that the company wanted to avoid such misunderstandings. "Our terms of service will as open as possible to encourage use. The important emphasis we want to place on this is that for the first time, a genuine direct-access FX platform will be opened up to creativity, experimentation and new possibilities for the people who care most about FX trading."

[sanook]

Metacrape officially blacklist myfxbook and others
http://forexmagnates.com/metaquotes-war ... zulutrade/

[slowkey]

Me to cTrader and cAlgo *****

So Craptiquotes warns against brokers working with tradency, tradeo, myfxbooks and zulutrade today and immediately Tradency gives them the finger and announces they have broken a 7 year relationship with Craptiquotes and have been building a new infrastructure that is ready to go with major brokers.

http://forexmagnates.com/the-metaquotes ... f-hacking/

Now that is the way to poke a finger in Craptiquotes eyes.

When a US broker offers ctrader I will be moving to that platform with its ability to program in C# in either visual studio or the calgo editor of customized indicators and robots. It leverages all who already know C# and .net.

The Open API eliminates worries for third party developers.

Popov says he will support ctrader with a Strategy Trader.

Very elegant and simple interface.

Feedback driven updates from users and brokers with none of this build 500 crap.

The program is designed to make it impossible for a criminal to screw with you from the ground up. You can tell that Spotware has gone out of their way to make themselves a powerful replacement to Empty4. They just need to get a foot hood and a superior product with real support should be able to. By brokers adopting a platform like ctrader they can go a long way to removing the stigma attached to fx brokerage.

Oh and their trade marked moto. TRADERS FIRST tm

Doug

[Buzzbee]

It gets better, MetaQuotes is just warming up ...

The law cuts both ways. There is a Russian Federal Law (No. 135-FZ, “On the Protection of Competition"), enforced by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia. See: Russian Antitrust Law ...

As Microsoft found out, anti-competitive behaviour is not OK; and when Metaquotes reads the potential penalties, they might need another round of Martinis.

Vodka Martinis, of course. Shaken, not stirred...

[traderduke]

Has anybody looked at Tradestation?? I have a account with them and "easy language" is easy. I was concerned when they bought Cowboy IBFX but so far no problems.

Gary any thoughts??

[Caal]

Guys dont forget the power of your voice!

I've sent an email to each of these brokers to let them know I'm not happy with this, if you want to help, copy the email and adjust to your liking (the cTrader reference for example, some brokers already offer it as was posted) , and then send it to all your favorite brokers. Here are broker email addresses;

support@armadamarkets.com
support@Cowboy Go Markets.com.au
info@forex4you.com
support@iamfx.com
support@alpari.co.uk
englishdesk@activtrades.com
support@vantagefx.co.uk
support@instaforex.com
support@rvdmarkets.com
support@wealthtradefx.com
service@axitrader.com.au
support@galleass.com
support@excelmarkets.com
support@acfx.com
info@hantecmarkets.com
info@jfx.com
support@hotforex.com
support@fxprimus.com
support@fxopenaus.com
helpdesk@tradersway.com
info@myfxchoice.com
cs@afbfx.com
info@exness.com
helpdesk_int@gkfx.com
info@tallinex.com
support@ironfx.com
support@acmplc.co.uk
support@lqdmarkets.com
info@roboforex.com
clientservices@ILQ.com
clients@liteforex.com
support@Bully Pepperstone.com
info@icmarkets.com
support@jfdbrokers.com
support@alpari.ru

and the email:

Dear broker,

Please forward this message to your supervisor.

I am writing you to lodge a formal complaint.
MetaQuotes is forcing updates and changes upon the market using their near-monopoly on Retail Forex Client Software.

You are helping MetaQuotes to commit criminal and harmful actions by distributing their software and allowing them to force updates that remove useful services to users.

In addition, they have blocked MyFXBook, Zulutrade and several external DLL-based addons for Empty4 in their latest version (build 500), cause a massive stream of issues as result.

I understand they are doing this to capture the signal service market, and fear that they will eventually disable the usage of external DLL's alltogether.

You, as their direct customer and as a broker are the only party with the power to change their mind, you're the one paying them.

If MetaQuotes does block external DLL's (or MQLLock), I will be forced to migrate my business to a platform such as cTrader. I'm happy with you as my broker, but if I cannot trade my own EA's anymore or will see further crashes and associated serious issues, I will have to move to a broker that supports a platform that is not afraid of its customers. Please lodge a complaint with MetaQuotes and try to convince them that this path will lead to their bankruptcy, you as a broker are the only party that can directly influence MetaQuotes. And please add force to your complaint by adding other platforms that support open standards for your customers.

Sincerely,
Your Name

[garyfritz]

Has anybody looked at Tradestation?? I have a account with them and "easy language" is easy. I was concerned when they bought Cowboy Cowboy IBFX but so far no problems.
Gary any thoughts??

Easy Language is so much better than MQL that it's laughable. And yet TS still has some major issues.
* No ability to test multi-symbol strategies (their Portfolio Maestro is, as far as I can tell, an add-on hack that doesn't integrate well with the rest of the system, and can't test true basket strategies)
* Reliability issues with live-traded strategies (e.g. in some cases a simple data glitch can cause a strategy to re-execute, thus executing orders &etc again)
* "Classic" EasyLanguage is good but has some limitations; then they added additional incompatible features that don't fit in with the EL model -- e.g. order-management code that can't be backtested

Overall TS is very good, but it's not perfect. It's also a captive solution.