Linux

[Chris45]

C45, Not sure what you mean.

Hi A,

I have MetaStock which has a separate program called The Downloader to manage the various price data files. The Downloader’s MetaStock file format is a simple seven column spreadsheet and is compatible with Excel. I d/l the daily EOD csv OHLCV price file from CommSec containing the day’s action for all of the ASX shares and then use The Downloader to distribute the data to the 2000+ individual symbol’s price files. When there’s a share split or a consolidation, I open the price file in The Downloader and adjust the old prices by dividing or multiplying all of the old prices by the appropriate factor. When a share changes its name and symbol I can merge the old symbol’s data with the new. The various symbol's files are stored in separate A, B, C, D, etc folders and The Downloader can sort the files into alphabetical order within each folder. It does some other tasks as well but those are the main ones.

Can QTStalker do all of that? I suppose the most important question is, what does it do with an EOD csv file containing the day’s prices for multiple symbols?

Linux now ticks most of the boxes for a good desktop OS except that, whereas most Windows users wouldn’t know what a Command Prompt was or what it was used for, if you don’t know the Linux Terminal and its language, you’re rather restricted with what you can do. I played around with both Mint and SimplyMEPIS a while ago and was able to get dual monitors running and set static IP addresses and I think MEPSI with MS Office and a good charting program like AmiBroker running in WINE would be a very attractive alternative to Windows and would be highly recommended for someone just starting out.

However, for the technologically challenged, it’s probably easier to fork out the $200 or so for Windows than try to learn all of the Terminal commands for Linux. Maybe when WinXP finally dies in several years time, Linux will be simple enough to be suitable for the average person. It’s very close now and is certainly looking very interesting.

Cheers,
C

 

[Happy]

...
However, for the technologically challenged, it’s probably easier to fork out the $200 or so for Windows than try to learn all of the Terminal commands for Linux. Maybe when WinXP finally dies in several years time, Linux will be simple enough to be suitable for the average person. It’s very close now and is certainly looking very interesting.

Cheers,
C

Before Microsoft conveniently made Windows it was all command driven too.

I would say that Linux could dumb down a bit and link little executable files between some Pictures and commands and we have Windows/Apple like easy to use Linux operating system.

 

[mazzatelli]

It's been a while since I used Linux [Slackware back in the day]

Always been a fan of Open Source, but it seems after all these years they still have problems with Windows Games.
OpenOffice is good but I still prefer [can't believe I am saying this] Microsoft Office.

Until they can provide better alternatives I think Linux till has some way to go for the desktop market.

Disclaimer: I am a Mac user LOL

 

[weird]

Thanks mate.

I'd still like to buy a laptop with linux loaded that would enable me to get on the internet, so if you know of one, let me know.

gg

I also use mac which is a unix based desktop os (can also natively run office ... although outlook is called entourage and uses a different file format) , and run windows in a virtual xp machine using vmware fusion.

Perhaps have a look at,

http://eeepc.asus.com/global/getstarted.html?n=1

 

[Chris45]

Interesting report about Mac OS X security here: http://blog.intego.com/2009/03/19/hacker-contest-mac-hacked-in-10-seconds/

Hacker Contest: Mac Hacked in 10 Seconds

Once again, security researcher Charlie Miller has won a hacker contest, the ConSecWest PWN2OWN Contest, by hacking a Mac in record-breaking speed. This time it took a mere ten seconds for him to gain control of a Mac.

To be fair, Miller used an exploit he had developed based on a flaw he had discovered some time ago. But this contest shows that there are serious flaws that are not resolved in Mac OS X. Miller had full control of the Mac he cracked merely by having the judges open Safari and simply click on a link. This shows that Mac OS X – like Windows – is highly vulnerable to “drive-by attacks” whereby users are enticed to visit web sites that can easily exploit flaws in browsers or plug-ins. Hackers who sit behind such sites can take full control of Macs that are hacked, stealing data, installing software, and much more, without requiring that a user enter a user name and password.

Miller won a $5,000 prize, plus the MacBook that he hacked.

 

[app2]

Hi A,

Can QTStalker do all of that? I suppose the most important question is, what does it do with an EOD csv file containing the day’s prices for multiple symbols?

It doesn't have a tool (that I know of) to handle splits etc, but you can manipulate the CSV manually using a spreadsheet.

It will handle a CSV with multiple symbols and disperse each symbol into the appropriate QTStalker data file.

Linux now ticks most of the boxes for a good desktop OS except that, whereas most Windows users wouldn’t know what a Command Prompt was or what it was used for, if you don’t know the Linux Terminal and its language, you’re rather restricted with what you can do.

I don't believe that is necessarily the case. I'm pretty sure there is a graphical tool to do just about everything, but being an old hand on Linux, it is much more efficient for me to use the terminal.

I played around with both Mint and SimplyMEPIS a while ago and was able to get dual monitors running and set static IP addresses

I have dual monitors working. I am using the binary nvidia driver. Setting a static address should be possible with the network admin applet. Personally, I set up DHCP reservations on my router to ensure a "static" address without the possibility of collisions due to user error (hey, I like to tinker...mistakes happen!)

and I think MEPSI with MS Office and a good charting program like AmiBroker running in WINE would be a very attractive alternative to Windows and would be highly recommended for someone just starting out.

I prefer OOo to MS Office but each to his own (I'm not bagging MS Office, just my preference).

I did have a few limitations with Amibroker under WINE, the main one being that it takes a LOOONG time to open a branch in a tree when there are a lot of items in that branch e.g. expanding the ASX branch in the symbols tree. Another minor niggle was that some table controls wouldn't render properly until you scrolled down the table a bit. I learnt to live with them, they weren't major issues (and they may be fixed now...may not be too!)

But now that I need to use XP in a VM for some other software, I just run Amibroker in it as well.

However, for the technologically challenged, it’s probably easier to fork out the $200 or so for Windows than try to learn all of the Terminal commands for Linux.

Yup, people are scared to learn when they are outside their comfort zone. Sad really.

Maybe when WinXP finally dies in several years time, Linux will be simple enough to be suitable for the average person. It’s very close now and is certainly looking very interesting.

I agree. I am fortunate enough to be highly computer literate. This is also a problem because it means that I am not technologically ignorant. If I was, I'd happily be running the latest Windows, forking out money hand-over-fist for Office, virii scanners, firewalls, registry cleaners, upgrade after upgrade, and feeling safe and warm even though my PC is still a zombie on the bot net.

Some of the proprietary software licenses are getting pretty scary. But people don't read them and don't understand them.

Cheers,

A.

 

[weird]

Interesting report about Mac OS X security here: http://blog.intego.com/2009/03/19/hacker-contest-mac-hacked-in-10-seconds/

Hacker Contest: Mac Hacked in 10 Seconds

Once again, security researcher Charlie Miller has won a hacker contest, the ConSecWest PWN2OWN Contest, by hacking a Mac in record-breaking speed. This time it took a mere ten seconds for him to gain control of a Mac.

To be fair, Miller used an exploit he had developed based on a flaw he had discovered some time ago. But this contest shows that there are serious flaws that are not resolved in Mac OS X. Miller had full control of the Mac he cracked merely by having the judges open Safari and simply click on a link. This shows that Mac OS X – like Windows – is highly vulnerable to “drive-by attacks” whereby users are enticed to visit web sites that can easily exploit flaws in browsers or plug-ins. Hackers who sit behind such sites can take full control of Macs that are hacked, stealing data, installing software, and much more, without requiring that a user enter a user name and password.

Miller won a $5,000 prize, plus the MacBook that he hacked.

thanks for that, very interesting. I think it is naive to think that unix or linux is not venerable to attacks. I am often asked to respond to application identified certs/identified exploits, and these apps vulnerabilities are usually regardless of OS.

It's great to have choice though, and Mac OS, Linux and others are providing this ... hopefully it may address some of the sloppy programming out there (hmmm ... unlikely).

 

[app2]

thanks for that, very interesting. I think it is naive to think that unix or linux is not venerable to attacks. I am often asked to respond to application identified certs/identified exploits, and these apps vulnerabilities are usually regardless of OS.

It's great to have choice though, and Mac OS, Linux and others are providing this ... hopefully it may address some of the sloppy programming out there (hmmm ... unlikely).

It depends on how you define vulnerable. Obviously social engineering will pose a problem.

But with the user rights model employed by Linux, it is nigh impossible for an external program to gain execution rights. Firstly the execution bit won't be set on downloaded content (social engineering will require a user to set it) and if any nefarious code is somehow able to run, the damage is limited to the individual user's files i.e. the problem won't be system wide (again, unless social engineering obtains the user's sudo permissions).

But you are right, naivity is a dangerous thing. There's no point in being cocky; inevitably you will be served humble pie.

A.

 

[mazzatelli]

For those who would like to port Amibroker to Linux

Amibroker on Linux

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Hi A,

I have MetaStock which has a separate program called The Downloader to manage the various price data files. The Downloader’s MetaStock file format is a simple seven column spreadsheet and is compatible with Excel. I d/l the daily EOD csv OHLCV price file from CommSec containing the day’s action for all of the ASX shares and then use The Downloader to distribute the data to the 2000+ individual symbol’s price files. When there’s a share split or a consolidation, I open the price file in The Downloader and adjust the old prices by dividing or multiplying all of the old prices by the appropriate factor. When a share changes its name and symbol I can merge the old symbol’s data with the new. The various symbol's files are stored in separate A, B, C, D, etc folders and The Downloader can sort the files into alphabetical order within each folder. It does some other tasks as well but those are the main ones.

Can QTStalker do all of that? I suppose the most important question is, what does it do with an EOD csv file containing the day’s prices for multiple symbols?

Linux now ticks most of the boxes for a good desktop OS except that, whereas most Windows users wouldn’t know what a Command Prompt was or what it was used for, if you don’t know the Linux Terminal and its language, you’re rather restricted with what you can do. I played around with both Mint and SimplyMEPIS a while ago and was able to get dual monitors running and set static IP addresses and I think MEPSI with MS Office and a good charting program like AmiBroker running in WINE would be a very attractive alternative to Windows and would be highly recommended for someone just starting out.

However, for the technologically challenged, it’s probably easier to fork out the $200 or so for Windows than try to learn all of the Terminal commands for Linux. Maybe when WinXP finally dies in several years time, Linux will be simple enough to be suitable for the average person. It’s very close now and is certainly looking very interesting.

Cheers,
C

Agree mate.

My heart tells me Linux is better, but downloadng data to a programme like metastock would be hellish through Linux.

gg

 

[inrodwetrust]

Hi
I've decided to have a bit of a tinker with Linux & managed to set up a usb boot of Ubuntu 10.4 on a 4gb usb for testing purposes. Not just the LiveUSB, but a full install. Pretty niffty If I so so myself!

So I'm initially curious to know if data downloads programs like DD3 from Paritech or similar from Norgate work ok? under Wine?

And what about registering products like Amibroker & Quotetraker or even WealthLab how do they treat registered versions? Is it ok to use existing licenses or do you need a new one, even though it's on the same machine?

I've played around with linux before.. when Redhat hit the market, with a few test installs & enough to get a little bit familar, but not a proficient level. However I'm pleasantly surprised how user friendly Ubuntu is & pretty quick to get set up & running.

I understand how Linux is more secure by default than windows, but any suggestions on how to make it as secure as possible. Assuming already running behind a Nat router/firewall. Already using a non sudo user for surfing & basic UFW settings.

Although I expect it may take a few weeks or so to get familar with the install & configuration procedures etc. I don't mind giving it a go if its worthwhile in the end.

Any comments appreciated.

Regards

 

[RazzaDazzla]

I've too tinkered with Linux in my time but never become proficient at it.

From the little I know, Ubuntu is a good choice!

I'd recommend you check out a forum such as Whirlpool for all your Linux questions and answers. There's people there that are more comfortable communication through a command line than talking to someone face to face!

 

[disarray]

an easy way to tinker with linux is in a virtual machine. download VMWare Player (it's free) and run it on your windows machine. then download your linux distro of choice, burn the .iso to dvd and load it in a virtual machine. tinker, break and reinstall as required.

 

[panikhide]

How do people find using word processors running on a Linux OS?

I am a mac user now, but I wouldn't mind swapping the Windows OS on my spare laptop (which comes on holidays etc) with Linux. I used a dual boot Linux/Windows machine when I was at uni, but always reverted to Windows to run MS Word because compatibility was always problematic. How is compatibility now? Can I safely ditch Windows in the knowledge that if someone sends me an MS Word file I can open, edit, save and send it back with the format of the document remaining intact, or is that technology still not with us yet?

 

[disarray]

Open Office

it's free. it's compatible. it's not microsoft.

 

[panikhide]

That sounds like three appealing attributes.

 

[sinner]

Debian Linux sysadmin here myself, glad to see a few geeks about.

For charting:
FxPro MT4 using Crossover
NinjaTrader and MBTrading, etc all in a VirtualBox running WinXP SP3 (used to use VMware Server but VirtualBox is fine now)

I do not recommend NinjaTrader in Crossover.

 

[captain black]

(used to use VMware Server but VirtualBox is fine now)

+1 for VirtualBox. Also previously ran VMware but prefer VirtualBox now. Was running Ubuntu in VB but using CrunchBang nowdays, prefer the lightweight window manager. Also running CrunchBang on a standalone machine, nice lightweight distro based on Ubuntu although soon to be based on Debian (current Alpha's are Debian based)

 

[inrodwetrust]

Ok, thanks guys for your interest.

I did give VirtualBox a try and quite liked it (free!), on vista & installed Linux ok, but I couldn't get a net connection, I have to figure out how to get it to work through the firewall. But I quite like the idea of running on a usb, makes it portable & independent of the main windows install.

I think I'll try wine & see what it can do. And try NinjaTrader (free!.... is there a theme here?) and as WealthLab is C# based so I should able to get the hang of it. Thanks for that Sinner.

Unfortunately according to the following post, QuoteTraker maybe heading to ether heaven. Although no offical confirmation as yet . pity it's a neat quote..ah tracker!

The Future Of QT

So I'll give that a miss for the time being.

This virtualisation business certainly opens up a lot of options & decisions to make. Like running Windows with VB running Linux or running Linux with VB running windows.

However if I can get all I want on a 16gb usb I'll be happy with that & be prepared to replace it every few years!

And thanks Razza I've bookmarked the linux thread.

 

[inrodwetrust]

I do not recommend NinjaTrader in Crossover

Does that apply to Wine? as well? I didnt realise it's a variant of wine.