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Attachments: FXCM active trader web price lag & slippage
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FXCM active trader web price lag & slippage

I don't know what anybody else thinks, but I'm really glad FX13 has brought all this up. I'm not sure I understand all the technical points, but seems to me FXCM got caught with their pants down, and have been in frantic damage control ever since.

FX13, I think you have been very reasonable and fair with your assertions. And my "BS filter" doesn't detect any deception or embellishment on your part. If nothing else, this whole thing serves to keep the brokers honest (hopefully) and on their toes, so good on you, regardless of what anybody says...
  • Post #42
  • Quote
  • Edited 12:58pm Jul 20, 2010 12:17pm | Edited 12:58pm
Dear FXCM,

One of the points where I got big denial from FXCM support is price feed. I asked support to move me to another price feed once I noticed the price lag. Guess what they replied: "We have only one price feed". I knew it was not true, not because I was bullying them, but a friend told me there is some hidden gems in FXCM garden.

First it would sound crazy that the best product that FXCM have would have more than a price feed. This is the best they have, they can't have 2!! one must be better than the other.

When I was moved to Trade station 2 to resolve the issue, the support told me you will get same price feed same condition. same for me mean same to the pip fraction. But what I noticed is there is a slight difference. the day Hi/lo are not the same, I didn't notice it before but check my first screen shots for example

See EURUSD On first web ATG RAW feed Daily HI:1.29871 Lo: 1.28911
ON Trade station 2 RAW feed too: Hi: 1.29870 Lo:1.28895

( you can also check other screen shots I posted previously and other pairs)

It's almost a fraction of pips but you can see it's different.

I tried my best on asia to make a video too showing both working ( here no price lag, I kept watching it carefully & checking over another station ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci-Y06AT9UU Fixed over 9 min so you see difference.

See the spread is not the same between the platforms! It's obviously a different price feed. And I think that the one under trade station 2 is the best, but this is not the advertised platform. TS 2 is only under request and you must be aware of that.

So I will let traders here comment that. Jason pointed already to the fact that they don't have same liquidity provider & ATG VP said:

Quote
This is why we spoke about disabling the account. I do appreciate the feedback thus far, but you are not comprehending how the system works. The platforms run on two entirely different price streams, hence the pricing between them is different. The “price lags” referred to are the issue you experienced that I continue to investigate. The difference in moment to moment pricing outside of “price lags” is a result of different providers creating the price feed into the product.

I hope that explanation adds some clarity.

And Jason said previously:

Quote
It's traders choice. Traders can request the active trader setup on the Active Trader platform, FX Trading Station II or even MT4.

BUT this is not exactly the same & which is the best? Why not all ATG traders are using the best of the two price feeds? That make non sense.

( posting the email here too so you can see I'm not lying).

Hope it helps
13
Attached Image(s) (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: fxcm slippage-4 16-7-2010.jpg Size: 284 KB
Click to Enlarge Name: email fxcm 2.jpg Size: 227 KB
Brokers are angels
Quoting fx13
Hi,
He said over the phone that he will closed the ATG Web account ( no more funds there), I said no why you will close it as this move is only to kick me out & shut down comments? I even agreed to post him my questions first & I did. I even shut down a video I prepared on youtube to show him first. I even had a screenshot that show CPU noit spiking while active trader platform had problems. In return he asked either I put in 15k$ to fill minimum deposit requirement or he will shut the account. I refused of course will never EVER trader under that...
Your screenshot shows that you are running Windows 7 with 1 GB or RAM.

You are aware that this is the absolute minimum requirement for Windows 7, right?
Quoting Adal
Your screenshot shows that you are running Windows 7 with 1 GB or RAM.

You are aware that this is the absolute minimum requirement for Windows 7, right?
Hi,

Finally some one who looks more at the tech details . Yep knew that but you can see we are below 600 MB use 60%. Do you think this is the issue here?

You can see Avaible ram: 422 MB.

This was on my second PC... Had same problem on 2GB RAM with Windows XP.

I used to run Active trader Web edition under Google Chrome In Application mode so usually it will never go beyond 60MB use... Don't use anything else there as you can see in the screen shot only ATG Web + TS 2 ( TS 2 use about 50 MB). Checked again that PC ( Windows 7 starting use only 450 MB, I always disable use less stuff & all cosmetics on my stations).

Had even planned to do more on depth test on another workstation with more ram 4GB & far better connectivity ( 100 MB/S on a data center in fact it was a Quad opteron Server) but got kicked out too kindly earlier than I planned .

Hope it helps
13
Brokers are angels
Quoting fx13
Finally some one who looks more at the tech details . Yep knew that but you can see we are below 600 MB use 60%. Do you think this is the issue here?

You can see Avaible ram: 422 MB.
This is a complicated issue. Basically because you have so little RAM, Windows can use very little of it for caching disk data which means that you will have much more swapping going on (delays). Windows 7 with 1 GB RAM is definitely a bad idea.

Quote
This was on my second PC... Had same problem on 2GB RAM with Windows XP.
Ok then, memory might not be the issue here.
Guys,

Despite FXCM reaction when they kicked me out of Active trader as retaliation.

He are my final point:

1. Active trader is really very intersting as you have low spread BUT under trade station 2 . ATG web platform seem have some issue with CPU spikes that can get price lags. I think that must traders should move under Trade station 2 as it will resist any CPU spike.

2. We had intersting infos here as FXCM said Active trader would be even avaible on MT4, would like to see that.

3. Hope FXCM will get more transparent about different price feeds avaible. This is an opportunity to make some PR about this & gain traders trust.

4. Hope FXCM will adresse proactivly any minor issue & leanr some lessons here.

5. Retaliation is the most idiot move I ever SAW. FXCM got very low on this.

I tried to remain fair on this issue & I tried to provide feedback despite last moves.

Hope that FXCM will make more informations avaible about the platform like price feeds.

Hope this helps
13
Brokers are angels
Quoting fx13
Hi,

Just an update got this email from FXCM yesterday ( check attached image too):



( Notice I removed personal email/ information from quote & email).

I said before I had a small account there. I would not even qualify for active trader condition. I was in fact invited gracefully by FXCM to test ATG. I added some funds there to get it working. So I was not filling balance requirement neither volume. It was not a problem until I raised last issues.

Also I got yesterday a call from FXCM product manager he was very upset that I'm...
Thank you for the information, after this, I have lost the little faith I remain in them, I have an account with no founds, I thought in refund it but after read this I prefer close it. Thank you again, we need traders like you for denunciate bad practices of this jungle of scammers that is Forex.
  • Post #48
  • Quote
  • Edited 1:12pm Jul 29, 2010 12:27pm | Edited 1:12pm
Ran a similar test. I left ATG open and running for 12 hours, machine is an A64 3000, 2GB RAM, XP SP3, Firefox 3.6.8. Granted it's an older CPU, but the machine flies for web & trading. OS is fully updated & tweaked for speed & efficiency.

Quotes this morning were an hour off live (alas, I forgot to screenshot it, but replicating the test should be rather easy to do).

I believe I have detected the issue. When ATG launches, Firefox launches a separate process called plugin-container.exe. From the very get-go, this process consumes 20-40% of available CPU cycles. As the process continues to run, CPU cycle demand can raise even higher (I saw upwards of 80% from the 12-hour run).

This issue is likely Flash-related, see Jason Roger's post below.
The plugin-container is a firefox process (since 3.6.4) where the browser isolates all plugins (so that when a plugin crashes it doesnt take the whole browser app with it). You could test this again with Internet explorer and an earlier Firefox version and see if its really related to the plugin-container.
Quoting shrike
The plugin-container is a firefox process (since 3.6.4) where the browser isolates all plugins (so that when a plugin crashes it doesnt take the whole browser app with it). You could test this again with Internet explorer and an earlier Firefox version and see if its really related to the plugin-container.
Ah interesting, I thought I had seen that process before, well egg on my face for implicating FXCM here. I'll edit the post.
  • Post #51
  • Quote
  • Edited 1:49pm Jul 29, 2010 1:09pm | Edited 1:49pm
Quoting Trader KGB
Ran a similar test. I left ATG open and running for 12 hours, machine is an A64 3000, 2GB RAM, XP SP3, Firefox 3.6.8. Granted it's an older CPU, but the machine flies for web & trading. OS is fully updated & tweaked for speed & efficiency.

Quotes this morning were an hour off live (alas, I forgot to screenshot it, but replicating the test should be rather easy to do).
Hi KGB,

I have more information I can share on what is happening. ATG traders were notified of the following:

In researching connections and performance of users, we have found several factors which can greatly increase the probability for “lagging prices.” Such factors are:

1.Flash 10.1- Flash 10.1 recently pushed through an update which impacts the performance of one’s applications. This has had an adverse effect on for some traders. In contrast users of flash 10.0 have not experienced this issue. While we work to update FXCM Active Trader to accommodate the newly released Flash 10.1 update, you can also eliminate the issue in the meantime by removing Flash 10.1 and downloading Flash 10.0 instead. You can do this by following the instructions at the end of this email. Please review the information located on this site (http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/142/tn_14266.html) as well as within the Flash “read me” file to determine the version of Flash that is most suitable for your needs.

2.Multiple Programs/Charts – Running multiple applications and/or charts for extended periods of time can increase the CPU of one’s computer. While enhancements in our charting algorithms have improved performance for many, factors such as the number of applications used at any moment, usage of applications, and computer specifications may lead to poor performance. To help cope with this issue please see item 3.

3.Computer Specifications – Wireless connections, older PC’s or laptops used, low performance, and low memory have been common themes with some client’s who have experienced lagging prices. As such our recommended specifications to trade using FXCM’s Active Trader platform are:

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/4...quirements.png


Adobe system requirements: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/systemreqs/


If you have any questions regarding this email, or would like to speak to an ATG representative, please feel free to dial 808-234-8789 (702970). Alternatively, you may email us by contacting [email protected].





Uninstall Flash Player 10.1

Before installing a different Flash Player we recommend uninstalling the currently installed Flash Player and restarting the system.

If you previously installed a version of Flash Player for Internet Explorer, then you may be prevented from installing an earlier version.

You can uninstall the player only by using the Adobe Flash Player uninstaller. Follow these steps to download and run the appropriate uninstaller for your system:

1.Download the Adobe Flash Player uninstaller:

•Windows: uninstall_flash_player.exe (226 KB) (updated 06/10/2010)

•Mac OS X, version 10.4 and above: uninstall_flash_player_osx.dmg (238 KB) (updated 06/10/10)

•Mac OS X, version 10.3 and below: uninstall_flash_player_osx_10.2.dmg (1.3 MB) (updated 05/27/08)

•Mac OS 8.x, 9.x: uninstall_flash_player.hqx (33 KB)

2.Save the uninstaller file, choosing a location where you can find it - your Windows Desktop, for example. Macintosh users may need to open or unstuff the .hqx file.

3.Quit ALL programs. Check the Windows system tray to make sure no programs are still running. If any programs are using Flash Player, the uninstall will complete but some files may not be deleted. These programs can include web browsers such as Internet Explore, instant messaging clients such as AOL Instant Messenger, stand-alone SWFs, and projectors. If you mistakenly leave any program open, close all programs, and run the uninstaller again.

4.Run the uninstaller. This will remove Adobe Flash Player from your system.

Note: Internet Explorer users may have to restart their computers to remove all Flash Player files. If you use Internet Explorer, select the "Show Details" button in the Flash Player uninstaller. If you see any log lines that begin with "Delete on Reboot...," you must restart your computer to complete the uninstall process.


Installing Flash Player 10.0.45.2

1. Download the following zip file:
http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get...10_archive.zip

2. Click on the fp10_archive folder

3. Click on the 10r45_2 folder

4.

For Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP double click on:

flashplayer10r45_2_winax.exe

For Mac OS X double click on:

flashplayer10r45_2_ub_mac.dmg


5. Installation Complete



Turn Off Auto Installation of Updates

1. Open Adobe Acrobat Reader

2. Go to Edit > Preferences

3. Select Updater in the left panel

4. Select either “Do not download or install updates automatically” or “Automatically download updates, but let me choose when to install them”

Quoting Trader KGB
Ran a similar test....
Hi,

Notice attached a screenshot from ATC broker web site a well known IB agent for FXCM. See the requirement:

Quote
Component Minimum Requirement
Operating System (OS) Windows XP Professional SP 1 or higher, Windows Vista SP 1 or higher
Software .NET Framework 2.0
Memory 256 MB
Hard Disk Space 60 MB
Internet Connection High-bandwidth internet connection

BUT Active trader web is a buggy platform and FXCM saying it's a minor issue.

ps: Notice that ATC is offering better deal on ATG with lower comission of 0.4 pips & same price feed !

Hope it helps
13
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: active trader web atc requirement.jpg Size: 131 KB
Brokers are angels
[quote=fx13[/quote]
thank you for posting this
I was thinking of opening a live acount with them but after this I changed my mind
Bulls are stupid Animals!especially when Im short!
IS the web platform now as reliable as the Trade Station 2 one ?
  • Post #55
  • Quote
  • Last Post: Jun 11, 2011 10:10am Jun 11, 2011 10:10am
Quoting Cocoflanel
IS the web platform now as reliable as the Trade Station 2 one ?
If you trust FXCM PR yes. But the best is only ATG under Trade Station 2 also don't forget they have 2 price feeds & the best spread again is not the default price feed offered but the one 'HIDDEN' & offered only to customers complaining over & over ATG WEB.

13
Brokers are angels
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