slipshod wrote:

slipshod wrote: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.

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

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

babalu4u wrote: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.

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."

babalu4u wrote:Me to cTrader and cAlgo *****

slipshod wrote:It gets better, MetaQuotes is just warming up ...

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

traderduke wrote: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??