Protrader V3

[SteveHopwood]

Can we set up a separate sub-forum for Protrader as well?

I have set up the new sub-forum and moved this thread. I will add a link to my weekly roundup on Sunday.

[SergeyKovalyov]

Hi, everybody. I am an engineer from PFSOFT team. Fill free to ask technical questions.

Hm. If it can directly import MQL, that almost certainly means they implement the braindead Empty4 indicator semantics -- which makes it almost impossible to write non-repainting indicators, etc. That's unfortunate.

I am not going to debate about "braindead Empty4 indicator semantics" but could you please provide me with info about other posibilities? Any platform or TA tool name what has candle charts, indicators and a whole different semantics. I just can not imagine it so it can be very enlightening for me. And who knows maybe we (PFSOFT) will add this "different semantics" to future versions of Protrader as option.

[phil_trade]

Hi, everybody. I am an engineer from PFSOFT team. Fill free to ask technical questions.

Hm. If it can directly import MQL, that almost certainly means they implement the braindead Empty4 indicator semantics -- which makes it almost impossible to write non-repainting indicators, etc. That's unfortunate.

I am not going to debate about "braindead Empty4 indicator semantics" but could you please provide me with info about other posibilities? Any platform or TA tool name what has candle charts, indicators and a whole different semantics. I just can not imagine it so it can be very enlightening for me. And who knows maybe we (PFSOFT) will add this "different semantics" to future versions of Protrader as option.

Hi Sergey

the most difficult thing when you want to master such a cAlgo monster, is that you don't find a course to follow step/step strategy building. You always have to search everything and bang the head against walls. It's not easy to leave something you master well, to another new tools, without well structure course, white papers (how to switch from MQL to cAlgo for ex.)

Another big problem, if I have well understood, is you can't keep your Empty4 broker and Protrader has it's own provider ?

cheers

Philippe

[SergeyKovalyov]

Hi Sergey

the most difficult thing when you want to master such a cAlgo monster, is that you don't find a course to follow step/step strategy building. You always have to search everything and bang the head against walls. It's not easy to leave something you master well, to another new tools, without well structure course, white papers (how to switch from MQL to cAlgo for ex.)

Hi, Philippe.

1. We are working high to provide some "Beginer's Guide". Please be patient. Initial version of It should be available in month or two, I guess.

2. You still can use all your MQL4 code and transit to C# at that time when you wish and ready to do so.

Another big problem, if I have well understood, is you can't keep your Empty4 broker and Protrader has it's own provider ?

Sure, broker should contact with PFSOFT, make a deal and then start to provide Protrader. Things work like this. One of possibilities to speed this up is to ask your broker about Protrader. I can not see how it can work in other way.

[giailang]

Hi, everybody. I am an engineer from PFSOFT team. Fill free to ask technical questions.

I am not going to debate about "braindead Empty4 indicator semantics" but could you please provide me with info about other posibilities? Any platform or TA tool name what has candle charts, indicators and a whole different semantics. I just can not imagine it so it can be very enlightening for me. And who knows maybe we (PFSOFT) will add this "different semantics" to future versions of Protrader as option.

Hi Sergey,

It's great to have MQ4 compatible alternative. The more developer tied up to MQ4 with their indi, ea, script, the less chance for convert themselves to other new environments.

For your query, beyond the cAlgo, I can list some tools, with good graphical tools and better speed of execution:
1. Trade Station II (FXCM)- Free API in C, Net, VB, Java
2. Ava Trading platform- Free but with $1000 minimum deposit. In DotNet and Java
3. Trader Workstation of Interactive Broker- Customizable / Tailor made EA with predefined components.

The list could be more, but IMO, these tools are really powerful and distinctive in comparison with Empty4.
For most old guys like me, we are too lazy to develop algotrading machine from the scratch, thus, though we know FXCM may be best for flexibility, but it costs nealy half or remain years in our life to ride on. The old nuts hate imagination and tired of tedious coding hours. We prefer something fast, short to earn money. So we love MQL4 crap or the like, although sometime we bump up the monitor just only by "where is my favourite indi". Ask Steve, you'll know that. He hates crap4 but at the same time, crap4 looks pretty like his well-known spouse who serves him well everyday, nurses him when he feels ill...

[SteveHopwood]

Ask Steve, you'll know that. He hates crap4 but at the same time, crap4 looks pretty like his well-known spouse who serves him well everyday, nurses him when he feels ill...

Yup. After thousands of hours spent developing software for the bloody platform, which led to this forum being created etc, any alternative platform has to accommodate CrapQl4 software or I am not interested.

[SergeyKovalyov]

I see. Actually we are in the same boat, guys. I was impressed by MQL4 back in 2007-2008. And the reason Protrader supports MQL4 was one from main ones I was willing to take a look on Protrader six months ago.

Regarding the other platforms. I will take a look on them (it requires time, you know) and will propose to discuss some ideas then.

[Jemook]

Hi Sergey,

Great to see a representative of a new platform on the forum. I work with a brokerage out of Sydney, Australia called Global Prime and we are currently looking for an alternative to Empty4 to offer to our clients.

First I'd like to say that I think PFSoft has positioned itself well by allowing MQL files to be used in the software, this alone will get a lot of clients switching across from Empty4.

In order for PFSoft to get traction with Protrader you need to make it cheap and easy for a broker to be able to offer it to their clients. As I'm sure you are aware as a brokerage we need to pay for:

1. A one off cost for the Empty4 license
2. a $ per million cost for the bridge
3. a $ per million cost for the aggregator
4. a $ per million cost for our Prime Broker

All these add up to a trading cost per trade placed. And this isn't including all the other expenses! Now let's say that for Global Prime to offer Protrader to our clients there was:

A: a zero setup cost
B: a zero minimum cost per month
C: a $ per million to place the trades

then even with this great scenario it would still be more expensive for our clients to trade with ProTrader and Empty4 would still be the cheaper option. How do you propose to make it more cost effective for a brokerage to work with Protrader over Empty4?

I'm waiting to see what the costs are via email but I'm interested to hear your thoughts about how you guys are tackling this. If you'd prefer to keep this kind of talk off the forums please email me at jeremy.k@globalprime.com.au

Cheers,
Jeremy

[Jemook]

Hi Sergey,

Without going into the actual numbers I received the fees and payment structure. What you guys are trying to achieve is great and I wish you all the best. However offering ProTrader to our clients is not something we can look at until the pricing structure changes significantly.

I'll say this again for any new platform developers - you need to make it cost efficient for a brokerage to bring you on. It doesn't matter how good the platform is, you won't gain market share away from Empty4 unless it's easy for brokerages of all sizes to offer your platform to their clients.

Cheers,
Jeremy

[SergeyKovalyov]

Jeremy,

Although we are considering some other options of Protrader delivery (with partners, for example) and possible changes in our price model, I can say there will not be radical changes. And for sure such discussion (in case of real interest) should be carried out directly with our sales.