Two question, really:
1 - which platform/software should be used for a demo account
2 - Which should be used when going “live” (trading real money)
I know there will be variance in answer, and that is ok. I will tally up responses and chart/weight recommendations.
Oh - if kind enough to respond, please identify in a few words why you recommed the software.
Thank you!
I’m answering my own thread, to try and build momentum in it
(like a blog).
MB Traders.
I’ve been in touch with Forex.com, FXCM, MB Traders, Dukascopy, and attempted with Metatrader. Phone and email. I’m investigating, and have some answers. If interested, please help build momentum here and reply to this post.
[B]Client VS Web applications:[/B]
Things to understand: If you’re machine crashes, you hope to have a back up.
In trading using a client application, you’re out of the market until you get a machine back. client = software that runs on your personal machine.
In a web environment, you can trade by logging in to their site. Nothing is saved locally.
That’s like using MS Outlook, or Yahoo email. Soemthing to think about…how fast do you need to be up and running?
Got an un-stable internet connection here that makes Java really sucks (all: Java Web base & Java Client Based) … slow and sometimes browser crashed (not responding).
No matter hows reputable the broker is … I always say no when they used java on their trading platform.
I got no problem with Meta Trader … it is nice & smooth 
Hi guys, i’ve only used FX Trading Station 2 so far on a demo account from xe.com, who i believe are some sort of affiliate with fxcm. The software is a real client (windows based app) which has a free chart plugin available to download from xe.com. The charts have a lot of indicators to pick from, but no method of building a ‘system’ and testing it (or backtesting).
On a general note from my technical knowledge, and I know people will disagree and it’s ok, I can cope with that 
I also wouldn’t use any Java based application.
Java is a wonderful theory for creating cross platform applications, this means writing your code once and it being able to run on any platform with a JVM (Java Virtual Machine) which includes windows, mac, linux, unix, as400’s and many many more. This is great for building the next wacky version of tetris, but not ‘mission critical’ systems. The reason for this is twofold, one being bugs and the other performance.
Java is an interpreted language, which means rather than being software for Windows, its software for the Java PC, however, no such thing really exists. So what we do is run an emulator on our machine, which in turn converts the Java language into your platforms native language. The speed is always compromised because of the conversion process, like chatting to a japanese person via a translator, its slower than talking japanese to them. The next issue is there can be a bug in the software (your dealing application) or a bug in the Java Virtual Machine, or perhaps both, you are basically doubling up your chances of a software failure. Where I get this information from is my time working as an IT consultant, a previous company had over 100 clients using software written natively in C or Cobol (depending upon the platform being Unix or AS/400 respectively) which worked well, and 4 customers using Java based platforms. 1 tried to sue us for loss of business, 1 with-held payment until the software performance was vastly improved, 1 stumped up more cash to have their system converted to C and 1 was only live 6 months before I left, and that too was a peice of crap
I’m that intent on using REAL applications, I have even reinstalled Microsoft Windows back onto my laptop to access the dealing applications, rather than using a Java application from any of my Linux based machines. I hope I haven’t ranted on too long and have provided at least SOME useful information.
Good luck and I look forward to reading other replies, i’m looking for a new demo provider as my current one is about to expire.
In my opinion, which platform you use should be depend on your strategy, as each platform may have its unique feature depending on its technical design or its broker’s policy.
e.g. for intra-day I think easy-forex will do, because you can draw trend lines and other technical analysis easily, though a lot of people complained about the expensive spread. However they dont pay or charge interest to you, so you can expand to or diversify with an inter-day system. Pros and cons for all really.
Personally, I would use multiple platforms (‘would’ because im still on demo). My real money will be on those with one that suits one strategy, and I’ll have two dummies that I use just to get a ‘feel of the market’ before the real ones (which one I use depend on the pair I’m trading), which has quite a sophisticated analysis tool such as Interbank FX and Rumus2 (for technical analysis), and Oanda which has a specialized news feature. Also VT Trader and Easy-Forex are among many others that I have. This way I can find info and do my research easily, as well as ‘feeling the market’ before diving in.
For putting the real money:
For simplicity easy-forex
For interest, peek at Oanda & manfinancial singapore (if you have USD25k)
Others has also recommended me bluesci(something like that, forgot the full name), and marketiva.
Dig around the rate my broker forum, great info lying around in there
Which broker to use must be the most asked question on this forum.
There is simply no correct answer.
It depends on what country you are in - do you want to trade from your own country or use and international broker?, what layout you like, what needs you have and a host of other personal preferences.
Everyone thinks the broker they choose is the best one around - that is only natural.
The solution here is to do your own homework and make your own choice. If the choice becomes unsatisfactory, then you can always change to someone else.
In my case, I chose a local broker that was friendly and kept my money locally. I am delighted with my choice.
Regards, Tymen Wortel, Perth, Western Australia.
Can someone suggest a good web based charting systems?
I think u should try meta trade 4 their plateform is good, but u can also download other software try their plateform on demo and make a choice,
regards…drhammer
:):mad::)ssssssssssssssssssss:eek: