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IB Connect, Bar Data Tab, Stock Screener, DYO Count Bars from Open, Setting Chart Background Color to Default, Do A, Test B, Turning off Auto Refresh, |
October 5 , 2005
16:28 @Ensign_HA: Welcome to today's training class.
16:29 @Ensign_HA: For the past couple of weeks we have had a Beta version of Ensign with redesign of chart property form, and also implementation of IB as a refresh source for IB users. We have had some feedback from IB users that the Beta version causes frequent disconnects of the IB feed. This issue was focused on and I think I have found a cuase for that related to increased memory being used because we increased the stack size. This stack issue was returned to the former limit, and reposted as the 10-05 Beta upgrade which can be downloaded now. It is only the IB users of the Beta who have reported any issues, and hopefully that will be resolved with 10-05 Beta version. If we have the IB connect issue behind us, perhaps we will be out of the Beta phase in a few days.
16:32 @Ensign_HA: Let me show you a new improvement in the 10-05 Beta version, which is more flexibility in the Bar Data panel tab on the Setup | Charts form.
16:34 @Ensign_HA: This form will permit users to hide or show fields for the chart caption line. This is a new ability. On the left side is a select frame to pick the caption, or the design for the bar data panels for tick type charts, intra-day type charts, or daily-weekly-monthly charts. The example shows my setting for the chart caption line.
16:35 @Ensign_HA: I am showing Symbol, 4 prices, Bid, and Ask by having the Volume and Interest and Name fields unchecked, these items are NOT shown in the caption. Then the right side frame for Arrange Order can be used to reorganize the order of the fields in the caption or the bar data panel. And the fields are to be show with the short label which is something like C: for the Close price field. Also, you still have on the chart the ability to right mouse click over the bar data panel and check or uncheck the fields to hide or show them. But you will have to come to this form to arrange their order.
16:38 @Ensign_HA: The settings will be global to all charts but you do have the flexibility to have a bar data panel of different design for tick based charts, and intra-day charts. One likely difference would be to show the Timer on tick based charts and not on Intra-day charts, etc. or to show Open Interest on daily charts, and not on intr-day charts.
www.ensignsoftware.com/whatsnew.htm
16:40 @Ensign_HA: You can read down the list of changes in the Beta version on this page.... speak up if any items needs further explanation for you.
16:41 @Ensign_HA: The Beta has this new Help menu which takes you to the Yahoo Stock Screener inside of Ensign. This is the Stock Screener we had an article about in the Sept issue of Trading Tips newsletter.
www.ensignsoftware.com/tips/tradingtips69.htm
16:42 @Ensign_HA: You can scroll to the 2nd article about the Stock Screener
QnA
DYO count bars from open
16:43 @Ensign_HA: I am willing to take customer questions now for the next hour and then I have a meeting to leave for. So go ahead and ask your question.
16:43 GregW: quick Q re a DYO - trying to count the # of bars since the open and store in a GV for fut use
16:43 @Ensign_HA: ok, greg, did you have a solution yet or do you need me to show you how I would do it.
16:44 GregW: no solution yet - would appreciate some help on it
16:48 @Ensign_HA: Greg, the example has a cycle tool on it to verify the answer calculated by the DYO, and both show 80 as the number of bars on this chart since the open
16:48 GregW: Great !!
16:48 @Ensign_HA: I used the DYO message section to show the answer
16:48 @Ensign_HA: Line A gets the chart bar index for the bar after the open time of 930 - if you use Central time or a different symbol, you will edit the open time to be appropriate
16:49 @Ensign_HA: Line B subtracts this index from the current bar count which is the number of bars since the open
16:49 @Ensign_HA: So it was a 2 line calculation. Any questions about this example?
16:50 GregW: I never knew how to use the bar index functions
16:50 @Ensign_HA: It was a good question, so the example helps you understand bar indexing
Volume field not updating
16:51 @Ensign_HA: ok, on to tt2's question which I will repost
16:51 @Ensign_HA: tt2: I've noticed some days my volume field in a quote window doesn't update,it reads yesterdays data. any idea why? tt2, which symbol and which data feed for this quote window volume observation?
16:51 tt2: today any future AB ES YM esignal - I restarted both Ensign and the data manager no effect
16:52 @Ensign_HA: For all the pit traded futures on eSignal and DTN satellite and Quote.com and IQFeed, the volume reported is always the volume for yesterday. It is only the electronic symbols that have a live updating volume for daily volume on the feeds, including the IB feed. So for ES, the volume value should have been a dynamic value that updated through the day as tick volume is added to the accumulating volume.
16:53 tt2: I've seen it update realtime nearly everyday
16:53 @Ensign_HA: Then I do not know the answer without watching it myself and researching it.
16:54 tt2: Is there a chart maintanence box that affects it?
16:54 @Ensign_HA: For ES, AB, and YM, which have tick volumes, the daily volume should have been dynamic and a reflection of today's daily volume. No tt2, there is not. You have the right expection, and I do not know the answer at this moment as to why there might be a problem with it being static.
16:55 tt2: ok thanks, usually it works fine
Setting Background for new charts
16:55 @Ensign_HA: now let me move on to TOCs question.
16:55 @Ensign_HA: When I open a chart for a symbol and time frame for the first time, it opens with a black background...is there a way to establish a default so that the FIRST time I open a chart for a symbol/time frame, it uses the settings saved under "Private"...also, can you give us more options for chart preferences such as Private 1, Private 2, etc?
16:55 @Ensign_HA: TOC, I believe you are using the new Beta version, so let me answer the question for Beta.
16:56 @Ensign_HA: On the chart property form, establish the colors and theme that you want to be used as the default for new charts. If you change colors in a theme, click the SAVE button by the theme name, and basically that applies to any color, not just those in the theme frame. Then click the Save Default button and that will establish the style to be used by new charts This style includes bar type, line thicknesses, all colors (theme), bar spacing, and what items are shown.
16:58 TOC: hmm...I have tried that, but dont think I got the desired results - will try again and report back
16:58 @Ensign_HA: Try clicking the Save button by the Theme too to redefine the Theme color file - let me do a test toc, 1 moment
16:59 TOC: did that too
17:00 @Ensign_HA: This was my test.... changed background to yellow, clicked Save on theme, and then Save Defaults. Then opened ES 18-min chart which did not exist before and it used this new default. Default is very noticible because of white font for scale on yellow background. Which is exactly the settings on the Private theme I saved, so I think it is working as intended.
17:02 TOC: ty again
17:05 @Ensign_HA: ok, will work on pavoni question now.
17:05 @Ensign_HA: Once we have used the "remove gap tool" on a chart, is there anyway to undo it? Even after I wipe out my daily data folder, download Howard's daily mega file, it doesn't change the pre-gap data that has been shifted by the gap removal tool. Pavoni, what is the remove gap tool you talk about? Is this the menu File | File Manager | Merge 2 Files??
17:06 pavoni: I right click a chart - select edit - then "remove gap". I use IB data
17:06 @Ensign_HA: What is the source of the gap??
17:06 pavoni: The contract rollover
17:07 @Ensign_HA: Is it a gap from the transition of one month to the next contract month?
17:07 pavoni: yes, and it shifts all previous data by the amount of the premium
17:07 @Ensign_HA: There is not a way to undo the remove gap. You would have to remerge in the old month data into the adjusted file using the File | File Manager | Merge 2 Files form. Or you could use the File | File Manager | Merge 2 Files to merge the file into itself and you provide the offset amount and an ending date for the merge operation. What is the file symbol?
17:08 pavoni: ES daily
17:09 dpg: could you please briefly explain the "Do A, Test B" and similar conditions on Study Alerts? Is the intent to have a way to set a GV in A w/out a causing test on that action? for "Test A, Do B" does that imply B being dependant on Test of A? I would assume not since you also provide a "If A then Do B"
17:09 @Ensign_HA: ES, easiest would be to download #F file. Are you using eSignal?
17:09 pavoni: IB
17:10 @Ensign_HA: OK, on the daily chart, you can use ES #F as the file name and refresh it and get continuation file from DTN Market Access. Or better yet, use INternet Services form, 1st tab, to access the data library of ES #F file on our web site.
17:11 pavoni: I deleted my daily ES folder, then downloaded your ES #F file thru internet services, but Ensign still remembers the adjustment
17:11 @Ensign_HA: The file you download from my site does not have any price adjustments.
17:12 @Ensign_HA: This is the file from the data library
17:12 pavoni: Well, the highs and lows from that file are not reflecting the liquid contract at the time in the past
17:13 @Ensign_HA: I will argue otherwise with you - the roll out for this file is 8 days before the 3rd friday
17:14 @Ensign_HA: picture shows 7-7 low of 1170.75
17:15 pavoni: That is the right number - wonder why I get something else - I'll try again
17:15 @Ensign_HA: Is Preserve Existing unchecked
17:15 pavoni: yes Howard
17:15 @Ensign_HA: Go to Setup | Manager and change History refresh to be a minimal amount too - you are refreshing with DEC data, not continuation data and your refresh is replacing my file - so DO NOT refresh so far back
17:16 pavoni: ok, do not refresh beyond the rollover?
17:16 @Ensign_HA: correct
17:16 pavoni: Thanks Howard :-)
17:17 @Ensign_HA: On your IB refresh you can select Z month or continuation as the source. I think you have Z5 selected, and you refreshed maximum and thus replaced continuation data in july with DEC data. Issue understood, and you can adjust your procedure
17:18 @Ensign_HA: so in review,
17:18 @Ensign_HA: go to Setup | Manager and change the auto refresh amount to a minimal setting - something like 2 days or 1 week is sufficient. If you have already corrupted July data, then go redownload the Es #F file from my web site
17:19 pavoni: and where do I select Z5 or continuation
In the chart properties window
Alert - Do A, Test B
17:19 @Ensign_HA: OK, now will do dpg question:
17:20 @Ensign_HA: Could you please briefly explain the "Do A, Test B" and similar conditions on Study Alerts? Is the intent to have a way to set a GV in A w/out a causing test on that action? for "Test A, Do B" does that imply B being dependant on Test of A? I would assume not since you also provide a "If A then Do B"
17:20 @Ensign_HA: On the Study Alert form is a condition section that operates on the flag in panel A on left side and the panel B on the right side.
17:21 @Ensign_HA: The question is about understanding the selection for Test A, Do B. Test A means that panel A will be the flag that is read. This could control the Show True or Show False selections. Regardless of the state of the Panel A flag, the study alert is to always do panel B action after the panel A flag is read.
17:22 @Ensign_HA: Panel B might be some global variable action that needs to be done like a step you might have done in a DYO. Panel B step might be to read a GV value, write a GV value, or read a study value and write it to the GV, etc.
17:24 @Ensign_HA: This just allows you to sneak in some action in the spare space of this Study alert that otherwise would require another Study Alert to accomplish the implementation. This was added way back before we implemented the DYOs to do multi-step processes. Now it is most likely you would resort to using a DYO to implement your logic rather than string together a series of Study alerts to do the same process.
17:25 dpg: thanks - so would setting a GV pretty much be the net result of a 'do' clause? or are there other actions which can be taken?
17:27 @Ensign_HA: Do B is a do clause for the step selected in panel B and there are a large number of things the panel B selections might be trying to do, most likely they are trying to write some value to a GV using the Write GV selection box in panel B
17:29 dpg: Is there a document which explains each of the string actions which can be selected under the various Study Alert and DYO categories?
Refresh turned off
17:24 dberdes: Hello, I am running Ensign Internet version. I have multiple ES intraday charts within a workspace. Whenever I load the workspace, some (but not all) charts automatically refresh. This can be quite time consuming, especially when I only have a dial-up connection. Is there a way to turn off automatic refresh.
17:26 @Ensign_HA: dberdes, answer is yes.... if you have the Beta you double click on the chart to open chart properties and on the Data tab you - uncheck the global box for Auto Refresh All Charts. If you are using older version (non-beta) you click menu Setup | Manager and change the Intra-day frame selection to Disabled. That will turn off the auto refresh that you find time consuming.
Beta version or not?
17:30 dberdes: How can I tell if my version is beta or non-beta? I am running version 10-04-05. Also, I do not have a Setup | Manager menu selection...
17:32 @Ensign_HA: dberdes, double click on chart for chart property form - if you show 3 tabs on the form, you are on the Beta. Single property form is the non-beta version.
17:34 dberdes: I have non-beta and I also do not have a Setup | Manager menu selection...
17:34 @Ensign_HA: dberbes, which data vendor do you use?
17:34 dberdes: Ensign Internet...
7:34 @Ensign_HA: ok, that version does not use Manager form.
17:37 dberdes: So how do I turn off automatic refresh?..
17:38 @Ensign_HA: ahh, dberdes, good question for Ensign Internet users. 1 moment
17:39 @Ensign_HA: dberdes, change the Setup | Connection selection to be the eSignal selection with the connection on No Connection. Then you can open charts without refresh
Feeds Reporting Ticks
17:29 @Ensign_HA: now I will comment on CC-k's question, and then I have to wind up and leave for my meeting.
17:29 @Ensign_HA: cc_k: Mr Arrington, just out of curiousity - I was wondering what your opinion was of how feeds like Esignal and IQ which attempt to report all ticks actually score on an efficiency basis given the change in trading over recent years to much more high frequency data? In some respects, the way IB massages data before they send it out makes it more efficient with contract like the ES which can just overwhelm both bandwidth and hardware / software capacity with its heavy stream at times
17:30 @Ensign_HA: ccf_k, I do not know if it is an issue of efficiency or not. Many traders prefer to have all ticks reported.
17:30 @Ensign_HA: I think the IB feed is a sampled feed, and the sample frequency is fast enough to be an effective feed, though it does result in fewer ticks being on the feed in comparison to eSignal. Let me repost an article from my knowledgebase, 1 moment.
http://www.ensignsupport.com/email/361.mhtml
17:32 cc_k: it just seems sometimes that pure tick-by-tick reporting was meant for a long-gone era of trading or for current trading in maybe the big futures contracts due to how overwhelming the # ticks per second can get
17:33 @Ensign_HA: I agree, and I personally do not think it is necessary to being a successful trader to have every tick. The IB sample rate is high enough to be effective and you can read my question about a split fill
17:34 @Ensign_HA: is that reported as 3 trades or as 1 trade
17:35 @Ensign_HA: dpg, the document for actions for both Study Alerts and DYOs is the DYO document on my web site.
17:35 @Ensign_HA: let me post link
www.ensignsoftware.com/help/alertsstudies.htm
www.ensignsoftware.com/help/globalvariables.htm
17:36 dpg: @Ensign_HA, thanks. I've read that, but not all actions are documented there
17:36 @Ensign_HA: tiger, repost your question - I did not see it
17:37 tiger: Howard, I was wondering if you would be to input a new feature where the playbacks have bid/ask quotes & spreads so the simulation will be more real, is that possible in the future?
17:37 @Ensign_HA: tiger, probably not
17:37 tiger: ok :)
17:37 @Ensign_HA: the playback serves a good purpose for training, but not intended to be the full thing.
17:39 @Ensign_HA: bye, sorry, I have to run
17:40 pavoni: thx Howard
17:40 @Ensign_HA: Kimball will take may place and continue the discussion - bye
17:40 dpg: thanks!
17:40 kongfuzi: thx
17:40 cc_k: tks
17:41 @Buffy: tk you
Option Charting
17:41 kongfuzi: Kimbal may I ask question?
17:41 @Ens_K: y
17:41 kongfuzi: Is it possible to chart options in Ensign?
17:42 @Ens_K: Yes. However, you have to collect the data yourself. There is no refresh for options [in IB]. If you setup some symbols, you can collect and chart Intraday option charts from the data that comes across live on the data-feed.
17:43 kongfuzi: ok so I could find a source of data and chart that - IB feed?
17:43 @Ens_K: Yes. Any options symbols on the IB feed could be collected in real time and charted. There just won't be any past history REFRESH that you can access. [Option refresh is available with Esignal and DTN]
17:44 kongfuzi: Is it possible to program something that would overlay a therotical option price and a current bid/ask of option on a stock chart? right understand refresh? So as b/a of option changes it would be displayed? I'm trying to understand if there is a way of seeing the tabular data over time conceptually.
17:46 @Ens_K: The Theoretical Options price is not available as a price to plot. The formulas are very complex.
17:46 kongfuzi: No way to do DYO or custom program add-in? yep. Ensign contains something to display option chain?
17:48 @Ens_K: Not with the IB datafeed. You would have to manually enter the option symbols that you want to view
17:49 kongfuzi: to view each individually OK, esignal and has the chain data
17:50 @Ens_K: Yes, eSignal has the ability to generate option chain data [as does DTN]
17:51 kongfuzi: For IB feed will it show all exchanges for that option (IE for VLOWE Nov 125 puts, it would show b/a and quantity for BOX, ICE, CBOE, PCX, AMX etc, etc) or just one or just best b/a summed?
17:51 @Ens_K: I believe that you can specify which exchange to watch
17:58 @Ens_K: ok. bye.