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Some users asked about this in chat a while back and as I was writing up the documentation on how to do a dual-copy of DAS Trader Pro -- one version for Sim and another for Live -- I realized that it had some complexity which may have made it difficult for some end-users. So to remedy this, I wrote a script to do it for you. I did this with batch / powershell commands (it's been awhile, so not eloquent at all) so that users can see what is going on (no tomfoolery with your accounts). What Does It Do: It's a Windows 10 (if Mac users exist, your mileage may vary) script that will: Makes a mostly symbolic copy of your DAS Trader Pro install (it'll copy over the Config.cfg file, since we need to change a few things) --> If your DAS install is C:\DAS Trader Pro\ it'll create a C:\DAS Trader Pro_Sim\ folder. By default, only the theme folder and .exe exist in the new folder install (the SIM version will check for a version change on the .exe and copy it over as needed for when updates occur), the rest is symbolically linked via the file-system to the main install. This is done so that items carry over their settings (Trendlines, Desktop Layout, Hotkeys, etc.). This is beneficial because if you use the default config then all layout, chart, trendlines, hotkeys, and other options stored outside of the Config.cfg file will be the same in both versions. You can change this behavior with options (more on that in setup below). Right now, options exist for: Desktop Layout (default.dsk), and the Hotkey File (hotkey.htk). Change the background of the simulator install (for better visual recognition). [optional] Add A Sound Alert for the Simulator version when a LIVE account trade is made in it [auditory recognition]. [optional] Add a Sound Alert for the Live version when a Simulator account trade is made in it. Example Image Notes / Prerequisites: If you set your account via as part of hotkey scripts (e.g. "ACCOUNT=U#######") you will want to change those values in your hotkey.htk file and also toggle the config.ini setting for separate_hotkey_file to "separate_hotkey_file=1" (instructions below). I assume most users won't need to this do. How Do I Use It?: Glad you asked. Download the zip file linked below and then follow the instructions here. As a precaution, I recommend you make a backup copy of your DAS install. Easiest way is to go to the folder that contains your DAS install, right-click it, and select "Send to Compressed Zip" .. if your install is in C:\, you'd right-click the "DAS Trader Pro" folder there. Unzip the downloaded file to a directory. If you use the DAS default install location of "C:\DAS Trader Pro\" - and / or - wish to have the defaults, skip to step 3. If you don't use that location, continue reading this part. Go into extracted directory and edit "config.ini": Config Available: ⓐ directory=C:\DAS Trader Pro This is the location of your DAS install. By default, it's C:\DAS Trader Pro as that is the DAS default. ⓑ separate_desktop_file=0 This is if you want to have separate Desktop.dsk files for SIM and LIVE. By default, it's the same layout. To use separate desktop files, set this as: separate_desktop_files=1 ⓒ separate_hotkey_file=0 This is if you want to have a separate Hotkey.htk file for SIM and LIVE. By default, it's the same file. To use separate hotkey files, set this as: separate_hotkey_file=1 ⓓ add_sound_alerts_sim=0 This is if you want to have a sound alert added to your DAS SIM, for this to work properly there will be additional setup (see section "Sound Alerts - SIM Account"). What it does is add an audible alert if you trade with your LIVE ACCOUNT in the SIM ACCOUNT. To use, set to: add_sound_alerts_sim=1 ⓔ add_sound_alerts_live=0 This is if you want to have a sound alert added to your DAS LIVE, for this to work properly there will be additional setup (see section "Sound Alerts - LIVE Account"). What it does is add an audible alert if you trade with your SIM ACCOUNT in the LIVE ACCOUNT. To use, set to: add_sound_alerts_live=1 Right Click "Setup.bat" --> Run-As Administrator a) On Windows Admin Prompt Click "Yes" b) On the command window that opens, make sure it does not give an error. If prompted, type the letter "Y" and hit enter. c) If no error messages, hit enter again to close the command window. Launch DAS using the shortcut created on the desktop as "DasTrader - SIM Account" --> Under ... Blue w/ S is the SIM account. Yellow w/ L is the Live account. You're not done ... go to Additional Setups section. Additional Setup: There's some brief changes we need to make within DAS for this to work properly. Open the "LIVE" version of DAS (the yellow icon). Login and on the top menu bar select "Setup" -> "Order Templates" On the "Account" box, select your LIVE account (for IB users it's likely something like U#######). Hit "Apply This Setting To All Exchanges." [optional] If you enabled the SIM trade in Live Account alert in config.ini, read the next line, otherwise skip to #5. For the Alert to work, go into Top Menu Bar -> Tools -> Alert & Trigger -> Double Click "WARN-LIVEACCOUNT" -> Double Click the "Value" box next to the "Acc" item (it should say "U1111111") -> Set this to your LIVE account. Image helper here. Close DAS. Open the "SIM" version of DAS (the blue icon). Login and on the top menu bar select "Setup" -> "Order Templates" On the "Account" box, select your SIM account (for IB users it's likely something like TRIBT####). Hit "Apply This Setting To All Exchanges." For the Alert to work, go into Top Menu Bar -> Tools -> Alert & Trigger -> Double Click "WARN-SIMACCOUNT" -> Double Click the "Value" box next to the "Acc" item (it should say "U1111111") -> Set this to your SIM account. Image helper here. Close DAS. Download: v1.00 - 1/14/2020 - outdated .. v1.01 - 8/7/2020 - DAS_DASSim_Separation_Script_V1.1.zip Changelog: v1.00 - 1/14/2020 - Release of initial script. v1.01 - 8/7/2020 - Quick rework of the script to be in its own .EXE, this may help with any issues for permissions. Known Issues: v1.00 - 1/14/2020 - My father never really played catch with me as a child, but besides that, there doesn't seem to be any that I'm aware of with the script at the moment. /joke

Google Chrome recently made some updates that might be causing a pixelated chatroom screen specifically at the lower part of the screen in chatroom. Follow steps below to correct the problem by Turning off Hardware Acceleration Mode on Google Chrome: 1. Launch Chrome, then select “Menu” > “Settings“. 2. Scroll down to the bottom and select the “Advanced” option. 3. Scroll to the “System” section and toggle “Use hardware acceleration when available” off. Make sure to restart the browser before entering chatroom. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Thank you!

Awesome keeping to your stops. I had trouble with in SIM. I treated SIM too lightly. I can tell you are treating SIM like it is live. Though it creates more stress now it REALLY helps the transition to live. And don't worry about hotkey mistakes. That reduces, especially when you finalize your DAS layout.

Tuesday 03/03/2020 I had a well-being score of 6/10 this morning. Still a bit under the weather. I took 3 live trades this morning with AAPL and AMD. My watchlist: AMD, AAPL, TGT, TSLA, AAL, and DIS. I felt like I traded the same as yesterday. I took a PM trarde where I exited just before it popped. Then took two trades at the open where I got one partial then S/O at B/E. AAPL was consilidating in PM after a nice white candle. I was waiting for the break of 301.50, but a L2 signal triggered the entrance before then. My target was 304 with a stop of 301. I took two partials and the price was consolidating. And just like yesterday I was spooked out before the pop to my target. After the open AAPL dropped 1% on strong volume but found good support. When the price rose and broke all of the 5 tech levels I went long. My target was 305 and stop of 301. I got one partial in and then out at B/E. AMD seemed to be respcted VWAP right from the open creating a support level. It looked like the price was stepping higher. I went long at the break of HOPM. My target was $50 with VWAP as my stop. But the daily level at 49.44 was in the way so I knew I better take a quick partial. My first partial was filled at B/E. My seconds try and a partial was filled fine. Then I set an auto stop at B/E. The fill had a enough slide that this trade was slightly in the red. What did I do good today? Good risk management. Which is important since I am taking risky trades. What I am grateful from today? Even with two failing trades and one that worked but I bailed too early I am still green for the day.

3-3-2020 - Done trading for the day. Started off with a great trade with BYND. Got shook out of what I thought was a good trade on AMD when the SPY decided to absolutely rip me out of my position at 1000. With that market-wide rip it kind of threw off my typical VWAP bounce trades at around that 1000 hours. I felt I wouldn't feel comfortable getting into any further positions, so I ended my day where I was. $BYND trades 1, 2, & 3 - First trade was on a reverse ABCD pattern on the 1 minute, also looked good on the 2 minute. It was holding VWAP as a resistance real well. Started taking partials at around 2R. Stop loss right above VWAP. At around 0955, I saw what I thought was a false break on VWAP, and it kept hitting that 99.90 technical level, took the trade short and got stopped out. I saw it cracked the VWAP and 9/20 EMA levels, so I took it short again. Stop loss at the 99.90 level again with a target just above low of the day. At about this time the SPY ripped up and I got stopped out again. $AMD - I knew AMD had been gapping up and started slightly long biased. I saw it crack through ALL of those moving averages and VWAP at once and then hold it, so I went long. Stop loss below all of the moving averages and VWAP. I messed up my hotkeys, I meant to take a 50% partial at that 49.15 level, which was right around 2R, but accidentally bought more into the position and then it reversed and I got stopped out.. Really need to be conscience of these hotkeys, I know its bound to happen, but I would've been slightly green on this trade had I not messed that up. $TLRY- TLRY was ripping up at the open. I should've taken the daily more into consideration on this trade, as it's honestly been getting beat down to death. It was also gapping down in the pre-market. I took this trade as a VWAP bounce. Stop loss set right below that 50MA, target was right below high of the day. Ended up getting stopped out on this. Pros: I stuck to my stop losses. I got out of all trading when I felt thrown off from the big movement on SPY, which took away from how I originally planned on trading at that time. Cons: I need to stay more cognizant of how pre-market and daily levels look when trading a false VWAP break or bounce. I think those factors can contribute more greatly on whether the bounce/break is indeed false or not. TLRY was definitely not an A setup and I knew that going into the trade. I need to stay on top of hot keys, as shown in the AMD trade, that can be a matter of keeping the trade green or even break-even. I'm frustrated with that blunder as-is, but couldn't imagine my frustration if it was outside of the simulator making such a careless mistake.

Hi Kelly, You do not have to pay for both, when you get Das Trader Pro with IB or any other broker. It comes with a demo account as well. That is included in your monthly fee, you will only be paying $150. It is also very easy to switch from Live to Demo with Das Trader Pro. There is one login only but once you log in you have several options to switch from Real and Sim, you can do it manually on the montage, you can define it by hotkeys or you can change the overall global setting to Real or Sim. This post has more information on how to switch between sim and real. Hope this helps. Thanks.