Software and data refresher after many years absence

[dabbler68]

I used to do a bit of casual trading 20 years or so ago and still have a licensed copy of Metastock (V7.01 end of day). It was about the time Windows XP was released. Surprisingly it (sort of) installed OK on Windows 10 using XP compatibility mode, but if I run as Administrator it hangs. That means I have to live with the Windows nag every time I run it "Do you want to allow this app ....etc?". Still to confirm it works with data and that all the nuts and bolts hang together.

My plan is to start very low key, and low cost until I decide if I want to progress. So with all the changes over the last 20 years, here are my questions:

1. Is Metastock almost superfluous for charting when so many sites offer that? (although I liked being able to search all equities for certain conditions).
2. Is there a justification to pay for more up to date software? Not Metastock ... too expensive. What would be better?
3. The Almax subscriptions for data seem about the same price now as they were then. Any better choices? Corrected ASX equities before midnight is all I need.
4. CMC Markets for low cost brokerage. What about researching? I still have my Commsec account.

Any other words of wisdom?

 

[Warr87]

1. I've never used metastock so I can't answer this. But I'm inclined to say yes.
2. Typical choices are Amibroker, or something called RealTest. I am a big fan of RealTest. Good community, and though there is a learning curve it isn't too bad. You can also use yahoo as your data source very easily.
3. Most people here use Norgate Data. Very good data, good customer service. It can be expensive if you're like me and have the platnium (US + ASX). But that being said, it is good and I write it off as a business expense (beucase I need it to run my trading). As mentioned in #2, RealTest can use Yahoo very easily (RealTest also uses Norgate very easily too, but without a data subscription, there is no issue with RT/Yahoo).
4. Don't have an answer for this.

Other things:
Looking at your question, it dawns on me that you may not be a mechanical trader. If that's the case, than Amibroker may be a better choice.

Another thought could be to learn some python and do things that way. Utilising pyplot (module in python) you could chart what you want. you can download data for free using python too (connecting to yahoo). Python is free and there are a lot of free tutorials on youtube to use python for finance. It's a bit out there, but could be an option.

Hope that's helpful.

 

[qldfrog]

1. I've never used metastock so I can't answer this. But I'm inclined to say yes.
2. Typical choices are Amibroker, or something called RealTest. I am a big fan of RealTest. Good community, and though there is a learning curve it isn't too bad. You can also use yahoo as your data source very easily.
3. Most people here use Norgate Data. Very good data, good customer service. It can be expensive if you're like me and have the platnium (US + ASX). But that being said, it is good and I write it off as a business expense (beucase I need it to run my trading). As mentioned in #2, RealTest can use Yahoo very easily (RealTest also uses Norgate very easily too, but without a data subscription, there is no issue with RT/Yahoo).
4. Don't have an answer for this.

Other things:
Looking at your question, it dawns on me that you may not be a mechanical trader. If that's the case, than Amibroker may be a better choice.

Another thought could be to learn some python and do things that way. Utilising pyplot (module in python) you could chart what you want. you can download data for free using python too (connecting to yahoo). Python is free and there are a lot of free tutorials on youtube to use python for finance. It's a bit out there, but could be an option.

Hope that's helpful.

I second that and can not add anything else but 100% share Warren points

 

[dabbler68]

Thanks for the comments.

No I am not a mechanical trader. The intent is to use technical analysis as the primary decision tool but far from exclusively. And for now the volume and value will not be much. Hence, keep the software and data costs low to avoid eating into any profits. Just aiming for a step above what I can do without data.

Thanks for the tip on Norgate. Being a proprietary format, and having to export Metastock format, I would prefer to try starting with that directly.

 

[rnr]

Thanks for the comments.

No I am not a mechanical trader. The intent is to use technical analysis as the primary decision tool but far from exclusively. And for now the volume and value will not be much. Hence, keep the software and data costs low to avoid eating into any profits. Just aiming for a step above what I can do without data.

Thanks for the tip on Norgate. Being a proprietary format, and having to export Metastock format, I would prefer to try starting with that directly.

Hi @dabbler68,

I currently use MetaStock EOD Version 9 along with Premium Data and I am still happy with that combo at this stage.
You may wish to purchase some ASX price & volume data history for which there are 2 options. I would suggest you have a look at the Premium Data website to view their offer.

Welcome aboard,
Rob

 

[dabbler68]

Thanks Rob. I had a look at the Premium Data site and it looks like a good choice ongoing. Nice to know Metastock 9 is still useful ... presumably not major difference from the older version I have.