Hi all. I’ve been slaving away in the school of pipsology. I’m in first grade. I picked up a couple of Ebooks for the fundamentals etc. I am very intrigued by this market I must say. Few questions: Does anyone use Linux? If so what platforms are ya’ll using? I cannot stand Windows and it’s sluggishness and consistent crashing.
One thing I am quite interested in! How is it that so many people here are openly posting their trading without worry about security threats and breaches? I figured Linux would be the #1 choice for OS because it’s significantly more secure when it comes to Malware ie password theft and keyloggers.
yo devon, welcome to forex and the forums! I found this link that might be of interest to you: Get Metatrader 4 working under Linux! - Forex Trading | MetaTrader Indicators and Expert Advisors
the reason for why people are posting their trading strategies, in my mind, is pretty simple: For educational purposes; that is, to teach people more about using indicator x, or concept y,etc…
It is true however that if there was a strategy that consistently produced incredible profits, nobody in their right mind would go about giving it away for free–unless they had some rather unique motivation for doing so.
Something also to keep in mind as you are starting forex, in relation to strategies, is simply that if a strategy is worthwhile, you wouldn’t sell it to randoms.
Happy trading!
Hi Devon,
since u are new to trading, try several web-based trading platforms. Oanda gives u simple charting and execution platform. Also try Dealbook Web and Finotech (i prefer Oanda for its simplicity)
all you need is a capable web browser from the convenience of ur Linux desktop. just make sure u have fast and reliable internet connection.
CMSFX also has the best looking web-platform called VTtrader 2.0. But i must warn u, the broker got plenty of bad reviews. The usual culprits are slippages, requotes, and delayed execution. Too bad huh…
I also read somewhere about Java-based software such as BookTrader and Currenex.
Have u try virtual pc? I’m trading with Marketiva using Novativa Streamster on my macbook. A stripped down version of XP installed using Parallels virtualization software. Removed all the bloatwares from XP and it never give me a headache. Parallels can share WiFi signal and network adapter between Mac and Windows seamlessly. Im browsing the net with Mac, with a shortcut button, im on trading platform instantly.
life never been easier…
Oanda has a java based desktop version of their platform, so you can use it on any operating system.
I felt the same way for a very long time, but in the end I just couldn’t deal with the issues of running MT4 in Wine.
If you do a search on this forum (and other Forex forums) you will see many posts regarding running MT4 in Linux. It sucks. Some of the features don’t work correctly (I NEARLY FLIPPED OUT WHEN I FOUND THE AMAZING STRATEGY-TESTER FEATURE on my Windows installation), the CPU performance and stability of running MT4 under Wine is horrendous, causing my laptop to overheat, …etc
I think you get the point.
[B]If you have to use Linux, the best option is to install Windows in Virtualbox and use that for trading.[/B] Either keep it in a separate virtual-desktop, or use the seamless mode and you won’t notice a difference. If this isn’t an option, I would recommend a web-based platform like Oanda over running MT4 in Wine. Trust me, I’ve used Linux for years and really wanted to get this to work. In the end I couldn’t justify running Virtualbox 24/7 over running Windows natively. No matter what you do, MT4 will never work perfectly in Wine.
If you find Windows to be sluggish and consistently crashing…then your installation is messed up. Reinstall Windows on a clean hard drive and only install your Forex-related programs and it will run fine. It’s only when people start installing resource-hog programs like a constantly running anti-virus, anti-spyware, or download every cool program (Warez, hacked software, porn sites, illegal music/movies) they see on the net that they get into trouble. Linux has this same problem if you install things blindly…
Ubuntu Malware for DDoS Attack Found in Screensaver
/rant
Anyway, here are some helpful links on the subject:
http://forums.babypips.com/newbie-island/32206-trading-linux.html?highlight=linux
Metatrader 4 on Linux - Online Money Making Forum sponsored by PTVPartner.com
In short, in Linux you have to work to get MT4 to even install, and even then it’s still bad. In Windows you start out with a perfectly running system with a perfectly running MT4 and have to work to make it suck (install Malware onto your system).
To OP: If you’re concerned about Malware and keyloggers, only use official versions of Windows from Microsoft (you’ll have to pay for it) in any virtual machine. Many of these “stripped down” versions of Windows you’ll find for free on the net have malware…
Pirated Windows 7 RC builds botnet
Edit: Not accusing anonymousdave of using one of these hacked versions, but the OP might come across these stripped down versions online, so I’m letting him/her know 
Just to clarify things, I’m using official windows XP with Parallels. The notion “stripped down” means i removed all bloatwares that came pre-installed on it. What’s left on my XP are only trading platform, chart studio, some downloaded codecs and Ccleaner.
Noup. No piracy in here.
Sorry! Meant to say I wasn’t accusing abudiman