tech serenity

TradeStation data issues and CS

author — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:24:02 +0000

I have really been enjoying TradeStation … but lately the data integrity has become a major issue. The Position Graph Bar typically has very accurate quotes, but RadarScreen has different/wrong/delayed quote data. I just don’t see how you can use a platform where you aren’t sure if the quote data is timely.

( I have been using the C++ interface to save quote data and other fundamental information for a private intranet web based interface of our portfolio … maybe it’s time to explore using a different platform? )

And finally, when I tried to call tech support I was on hold for over 15 minutes and gave up.

Over the air sync

author — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:36:29 +0000

I find it amazing that Microsoft didn’t do it first .. http://www.me.com

“Exchange for the rest of us.
You might have a Mac at home, a PC at work, and an iPhone or iPod touch. The challenge is keeping multiple devices always in sync. Enterprises can use a server like Exchange. For everyone else, now there’s MobileMe.”

Tomcat launchd OS X (automatically start)

author — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:46:24 +0000

Here is a great resource for using launchd to automatically start tomcat on your OS X machine.

CNBC Plus

author — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:48:43 +0000

For a while I used to stream my own CNBC from my house for work … I am techie enough to figure that out. The main reason I set this up was for the Tour De France (when Lance was crushing it).

I just recently discovered CNBC Plus and I have to say it’s really really nice. Two things that make it great:

1) all the interviews are immediately archived and very easily searchable (unlike their no pay site … which is horribly slow and disorganized)

2) they don’t play ads … oh thank goodness … it really lowers your blood pressure when it goes silent and you realize you don’t have to listen to another BS add for another online broker.

Investors Business Daily (IBD)

author — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:42:05 +0000

I have been a subscriber off and on for a while. I like the consistent analytical approach to their stock ratings and in particular the IBD 100 and Big Cap 20 rankings.

I now just subscribe to the site and the electronic edition and one thing that really irritates me is that they still flash all kinds of banner, button, and text ads in my face on the website after I sent them over $250 for a subscription. Bugger!

Apple “iPhone Software Roadmap”

author — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:56:04 +0000

Thank you Apple, Inc. … looks like we are going to get some Enterprise Relief!

AppleInsider post

As I said … Enterprise = Higher Stock Price … Apple up to 126+ after hours.

The importance of over-the-air sync …

author — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:29:47 +0000

It can’t be overstated … to me this is the killer application for everyday users … whoever solves this will be a huge winner. Everyday users don’t really understand the importance of this until they work at a company that provides BES or ActiveSync or Good with Exchange (or I guess Notes?). Exchange has a stranglehold .. I had the nirvana of perfect synchronization with my Blackberry and http://www.mailstreet.com … but I gave it up with the iPhone … Now I want it back.

Apple stock …

author — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:26:01 +0000

I thought it would go to $200 by the end of 2008 … Hopefully it will go back to $200. I think the story all along has been the Mac. It continues to be the case … I think the next report will prove that out.

There are only 2 things I can’t do on my Mac that I wish I could … 1) Full sync with Exchange (or Apple please provide an Exchange type solution – don’t hold your breath 2) Excel with plugins from Bloomberg, Starmine, William O’Neil … never going to happen, but thanks to VMWare and Parallels, this is covered.

Office 2008 for Mac no Exchange support for Student and Teacher

author — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:20:04 +0000

Ridiculous!

Apple please do a deal with Good (Motorola) for Exchange support

author — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:19:01 +0000

Now that you are opening up the platform a bit with an SDK (to be officially launched soon I hope). Please help Good create a client for iPhone … that immediately puts the iPhone on a level playing field with Blackberry and other devices using Blackberry sync and ActiveSync. This will boost the stock too. Thank you.