Separate Desktop/Start Menu Shortcuts for Live/Practice Mode

[FrDickByrne]

I'd like to suggest the option to have separate shortcuts to launch BA in either Live or Practice Mode, maybe with different icons to quickly distinguish the two. I frequently forget to change the selected mode on login and have to log out and do it again!

[ODPaul82]

I've put no but it would be good to have various command line parameters to trigger such things which could be setup in a batch file for example.
Betangel.exe /live /layout:tennis /staking:tennis

[Derek27]

Two minds about it. Clicking a radio button isn't much trouble but I'm sick of logging in and forgetting to select practice mode, sometimes 2-3 times in succession. That said, with two desktop icons I'd probably double-click the live mode icon out of habit.

[Geordie]

I'd prefer the ability to switch from Live to Practice mode within BA, as long as the visual difference between Live and Practise was really obvious.

[Kai]

I'd prefer the ability to switch from Live to Practice mode within BA, as long as the visual difference between Live and Practise was really obvious.

That honestly sounds like a recipe for disaster

OP literally said he "forgets to change the selected mode" ... and yet he openly suggests such features

[Geordie]

I'd prefer the ability to switch from Live to Practice mode within BA, as long as the visual difference between Live and Practise was really obvious.

That honestly sounds like a recipe for disaster

It wouldn't be a disaster for me, hence why I suggested it. As long as the mode selection was verified and visually it was obvious to what mode BA was in, then that works for me.

[ShaunWhite]

Trading is about diligence, mindfulness and making mistakes once, I understand the convenience, but I do wonder about people who can't get through the login screen without making a mistake.

[Derek27]

I'd prefer the ability to switch from Live to Practice mode within BA, as long as the visual difference between Live and Practise was really obvious.

That honestly sounds like a recipe for disaster

OP literally said he "forgets to change the selected mode" ... and yet he openly suggests such features

I often forget to change mode but I realise it straight away, quickly log out and back in, again forgetting to switch mode.

Rather than idiot-proofing the software, I need to stop being an idiot.

[Kai]

Rather than idiot-proofing the software, I need to stop being an idiot.

Well, everyone knows a tool is only as good as the tool using it

Although you do occasionally trade whilst inebriated, should probably stop that nonsense before you try to lay the draw on a tennis match one evening

Or consider turning on the bet confirmation popup when having a drink, there's a random idea

[FrDickByrne]

I've put no but it would be good to have various command line parameters to trigger such things which could be setup in a batch file for example.
Betangel.exe /live /layout:tennis /staking:tennis

Yeah, I'm fine with command line parameters, that's basically what I was getting at. Happy to make my own custom shortcuts. Extra options like you've suggested would be really useful. Maybe I should've created a poll for command line parameters instead!

And yeah, maybe I shouldn't make the mistake. Generally, I start with the intention of, for example, using practice mode. Then I'm off to copy and paste the password in from my password manager and get an MFA code and I just instinctively hit Enter when I've typed that in before changing the mode. It's a habit from 25+ years of using computers!

What might actually help is if the radio button always defaulted to one or the other, instead of the last mode you used. Or perhaps a dialog to choose the mode before the login dialog loads. And maybe a colour change to the login screen like the orange banner when you select practice mode.