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Apply trade management functions on the fly (Market Order, Limit Order, OCO Setups, Trailing, Flatten All)
The main challenge is to keep the things simple and only use a few buttons and change their behavior by context. There are 2 options:
1. Utilize a tablet computer and write a custom keybord software. A switch is defined as an area on the screen (custom "button" graphic is shown). Connect via WLAN to the trading computer.
2. Build a hardware keyboard with NKK OLED switches with customizable optical feedback (little graphics on top of the switch). Connect via USB / Bluetooth/ WLAN to the computer.
Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages.
The "Key" displays only graphics and is responding to inputs (pushing) and current context. There is a tight pairing between your trading software (Ninjatrader) and the keyboard. If you are in a position then the background color of the (one of them) switch could display the current PNL (Amount + green or red background) and act as an CLOSE switch. If you are not in a trade the switch can act as an "Buy Market" switch. Other switches could select the instrument and position size.
NKK OLED SWITCH
Currently i can't do the decision which option to choose that's why i create that poll. It's only a private long term project, but i want to know the opinions about such an input device. I have the skills to make both of the options running.
@Big Mike: The members (and i) can only see the poll results not the poll himself. I had no time limit in place. Can you reenable that? Thanks Koepisch
@Big Mike: Can you move the thread anywere else? I wasn't aware of that special post restrictions here. I knew the current solution with your site sponsor - but this isn't what i need and thats why i have created this thread to get in touch with others which similar needs.
I use the Logitech G13 programmable keyboard and it works great. It has 25 buttons, and a small thumbwheel joystick. I have all of the order entry commands programmed and I use the joystick to move a pending order up/down. I think they are about $75.00. You can program 3 different profiles and switch between them with the press of a button.
Hi @DanW, thanks for your feedback. Utilizing a default (customer-programmable) keyboard was also my first idea, because it's the easiest and cheapest way of completing the mission. Moving the pending order with the joystick is really cool! I will be looking for thumbwheel joysticks (or similar devices) soon, because it would add a real benefit.
You could find similar devices at Ebay. . The known site sponsor is also utilizing such pimped POS terminal. But for my personal needs i wanted a more workflow oriented design (switching between General Chart Layout, Special Chart Layout, ...; Trade Entry Mgmt.; Trade Exit Mgmt) and a structured layout with less buttons. The NKK Smart Switches are quite expensive, so such an idea must have an huge reward in enhancing your user experience at trading otherwise it's really not worth the efforts. But the possibilities are endless. I'm waiting for more feedback / suggestions.
If anybody wants a smaller but also very customizable solution he can use the single MX keys and custom button caps (size, color, labeling) from WASD. Doing the remaining of the keyboard tech isn't a problem nowadays.
At first when I replied to your poll I said ..."No .. this is not necessary" .. but I'm beginning to think it's a good idea.
The KeyboardTrader solutions look OK but are a bit hardwired for me and I can't imagine how it would be priced for European products .. but it's a nice niche business I guess.
I use the vvMiniTradePanel - and as such a sort of limited number of trade entry methods but am finding that my hand and arm get very cold and stiff during the day. I think that something like the G13 would be very good.
In the meantime i've made some theoretical studies of the UI design and the usability. My software based option via tablet was axed. I've learnt that you must feel the keys and you have to find them without seeking for them. Thats why the Hardware layout of the "Order management" keys should be fixed. So there isn't a need to complicate the things with the SmartSwitches. BUT i think i will utilize the OLED Panels only and apply a few of them on the keyboard. It can show the current selected instrument, Position info (for order management) or can implement some menu's for chart layout switching.
My current (spare) time is consumed to built my GPS-based time sync to measure data feed latencies. If this is done i will return to the keyboard project. But both projects are based on the same micro controller so there are some synergy effects in the development.
