BA Whilst on the move..Netbook v Ipad

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PeterLe
Posts: 3729
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:19 pm

Hi
I do a fair amount of travel UK and overseas and currently drag my (heavy!) laptop with me, so I can access my VPS and set up guardian in the morning....so I was thinking of buying a new netbook (Something really small and light, dont need DVD etc)...and wondered whether I should consider an Ipad??
I know there are a few of you who use an Ipad (Jim Rob; Peter W)...what is your views having used them for a while?

I must admit my pref is probably the Netbook as I think it has more functionality (?)...
The netbook would have 3G etc too..

Would be keen to hear your views?

Thanks
Peter
PS I also use RDC on my Iphone, which is fine for keeping an eye on BA when I'm out and about but a bit too small (in my opinion) for a lot of setting up detail work etc..

PPS Might be worth defining a new forum category - Technology??
Melsey
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:06 am

Peter,

In the same 'boat' as you... i.e. a lot of time spent out of the UK. Need to get myself a new backup laptop and would love an excuse to get an ipad, however I need to it to connect to my Vodaphone 3G dongle, however the ipad does not have a USB port. I read the thread regarding the 'MiFi' box but was wondering if anyone happened to know how easy it is to manage the connection? I am not particulary keen on paying the £30 connection charge everytime I switch it on, all I want to see is that a signal is available without connecting to it unless the hotel's internet crashes. Any ideas from anyone would be very much appreciated.
PeterLe
Posts: 3729
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:19 pm

Hi
Yes the MiFi would probably fit the bill??
Do you have an iphone? if so I think you can do some form of 'tethering' to an ipad?
Just speaking to a friend and he says that there are some new devices expected very soon (ASUS) and Google that will be some form of 'Android' device..dont know much about these...might get chance to google them over the weekend?? he seems to think i might be better to hold fire in the interim..
Regards
Peter
Bet Angel
Bet Angel
Bet Angel
Posts: 4031
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:47 pm

Your focus should be on usability IMHO. I've travelled all over the world and used different devices in many different locations, swimming pools, airports, beaches, hotels, cafes. Done the lot and the most important thing you can have is something that is easy to access and use whatever the circumstances. This will vary depending on your trading style and what you want to do.

I've used a VPS for years now as that allows me to 'carry around' my setup from location to location. If something happens that goes wrong or I can't get the access I need I can use a local Internet device to carry on with the VPS. It also has lower bandwidth requirements and works better on a poor connection.

A lot of hotel / establishments offer 'high speed' internet access but most don't tell you it is shared with six million other people. So having a decent cellular connection is useful. The low bandwidth on a VPS helps here as well.

I've been using my iPad more and more for remote access, it's small, very lite has excellent usability and an immense battery life. During the school holidays I intended to go out with the kids and do some remote trading. I'll see if I can get some video of it. I tend to have two of everything though so my iPad is on 'three' but I also have a laptop that I can use as well on Vodafone in case things go tits up. I have used the automated features of Bet Angel to build in additional fail safes so if my connection goes or I am unable to do something for some reason Bet Angel can exit for me.

However, I'd probably recommend a net book for most as you have most of the features you need (Make sure you get a decent resolution screen) and you can also run a local version if needed. That seems a pretty sensible option. But also get one with really good battery life as that adds some more safety into the equation.
PeterLe
Posts: 3729
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:19 pm

Thanks Peter - Thats good info.
As you know I also use the VPS and find it excellent when I'm out and about (although I dont manually trade when I'm mobile, I tend to use it for automation mainly).

There is also a 'nugget' of info in your post..where you state that you have built in extra failsafes..I have done something similar using the GREEN_ALL command...worth its weight in gold imo !

....must admit; The head is saying Netbook...but the heart is saying Ipad (they just look so god dam good!) ! (Think I'm looking for an excuse to buy one to be honest!)

Thanks
Peter
Mug
Posts: 182
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:53 am

Buy both?
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jimrobo
Posts: 1290
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:49 pm

I would never use my ipad to trade. I have it there for an emergency an for novelty value but realistically its not something I would actually use to trade. Trading is difficult enough even when you have a good set up and all the information you need up in front of you. Add in a fiddly screen, a lot of latency in a mobile connection, and some distractions around you and you are heading for car crash trading!

Fair enough if you are looking at something like football where you can take a position and trade a longer term position but for something like horse racing you may as well do it properly or not at all IMHO.
PeterLe
Posts: 3729
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:19 pm

Thanks Jim,
I agree, I wouldnt use it for manually trading...it is just to set up my auto positions each morning
regards
Peter
Melsey
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:06 am

Thanks for your replies... I'm with you Peter, just looking for a good excuse to get my hands on an ipad, having just bought a new Laptop and in need of a new backup/netbook, think my wife may have a complete sense of humour failure if I end up coming home with both...!

The GREEN_ALL command sounds like a piece of genius...! Will contact support to get the know how... have been caught out in the past with dodgy hotel wifi, but have found that the VPS is a life saver, particulary when I'm in the States (due to the online gambling ban). I recently decided to resort to using Mode 1 in a US hotel with particulary poor wifi, and BA seemed more steady, to be honest I'm not sure whether this was a good plan, but the only real difference that I could see was that the Market Overview function didn't have any volumes, I guess due to the lack of API.

I guess I will have to run the gaunlet next time I pass through Dixons at the airport...
lilgreenback
Posts: 211
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:28 am

Hi

Buy the wife somthing equally as expensive as a decent pressie and then go off on your next tripon return leave the laptop at a mates with a made up invoice for a repair which you will need to pick up in a week or two. Then you will just need to get another device the IPad, to keep in contact with work etc.

Oh and buy the way compliment the missus on the wise choice of whatever it is she gets. An no one will ever know apart from just us that is.

I have a net book which is just not powerful enough to trade on you can at a push but it is not reliable (but that may be the conection) it will follow positions on BA and allow you to close out of them in an emergency.

The IPad is cool you know you want it!! ;)

LilGB
PeterLe
Posts: 3729
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:19 pm

Ha!
LiLGB, ...now we are beginning to know you!...Yes she did mention something about getting 'another' tiffany bracelet!..(Why she needs another is beyond me...)...Might just buy her an Ipad and tell her it is for her ha!!
Regards
Peter
Melsey
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:06 am

Lilgreenback...
Let's hope that GG is a profitable one then....! It could potentially be an expensive week if I follow the advice from you and Mug.....
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