UncleB

Hey Abiel, I too have that same brand that Paul S mentioned. Mine is a very similar model, but with DVI instead of VGA. I've used it for years with no problems. I actually have mine feeding a separate monitor off to the side that runs the BearBullTraders chat room all day! So I wouldn't be using it for that if I didn't trust it. Windows 10 has builtin drivers that detect it out of the box, all you need to do is plug it in. I can't speak for other operating systems or versions. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AIJE9G Best of luck, Uncle B

Carlos, You're welcome! Definitely let us know how everything turns out. I'm sure others will benefit from learning about your setup, and hearing how your tests go. I took a quick look at that bundle and it looks like a good reliable unit, but buried way down in the Amazon Questions section I see some people talking about how the buddy unit has a short DC cord (only a foot or two) that needs to plug right into the back of the main unit. So basically they need to sit side by side. That may impact your plans to locate them in different rooms. Just a heads up. You're on the right track though! Best of luck, Uncle B

Mario, A ping latency of 900ms is a red flag that something is seriously wrong. As an extremely loose gauge to go by: 20-50ms is extremely good. 50-300ms is average. 300-500ms is indicative of congestion or issues. "Latency sensitive" applications will start to be impacted. Others may not. > 500ms something is probably wrong, most applications will be impacted. > 1000ms, stop what you're dong and seek technical support, because something is jacked up. Also, it can be helpful to watch your latency over time. Open a command prompt window (windows) or terminal session (Mac) and run a consistent ping to a remote place on the internet for several minutes. For example: C:\> ping www.bearbulltraders.com Leave that window off to the side where you can watch it for a few minutes. Is your latency fluctuating up and down? Does it stay flatlined for the most part? What happens to it when you join the chat room, or start other bandwidth intensive activities (like Ryan W mentions above) streaming video, etc.? Also while this test is going on, watch for complete drops. Meaning one of the PING attempts did not respond back. This can indicate network issues as well. When you quit the ping session in Windows and Mac it should provide a summary of statistics, telling you if you have any packet loss and what your minimum, average, max, and stddev is. For example, here's what my ping latency looks like when I'm pinging this website from the midwest US. ping www.bearbulltraders.com PING bearbulltraders.com (162.144.104.203): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=0 ttl=56 time=77.145 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=1 ttl=56 time=76.460 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=2 ttl=56 time=79.803 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=3 ttl=56 time=87.118 ms ^C --- bearbulltraders.com ping statistics --- 4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0.0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 76.460/80.131/87.118/4.223 ms And here's what my latency looks like when I reroute my internet traffic so I come from the Ukraine: ping www.bearbulltraders.com PING bearbulltraders.com (162.144.104.203): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=0 ttl=47 time=461.353 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=1 ttl=47 time=429.296 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=2 ttl=47 time=460.202 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=3 ttl=47 time=453.565 ms ^C --- bearbulltraders.com ping statistics --- 4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0.0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 429.296/451.104/461.353/12.937 ms Similarly, here's my latency when I come from Zurich, Switzerland: ping www.bearbulltraders.com PING bearbulltraders.com (162.144.104.203): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=0 ttl=48 time=524.932 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=1 ttl=48 time=524.972 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=2 ttl=48 time=522.643 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=3 ttl=48 time=538.678 ms ^C --- bearbulltraders.com ping statistics --- 5 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 20.0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 522.643/527.806/538.678/6.347 ms While we're at it, here's from Hong Kong: ping www.bearbulltraders.com PING bearbulltraders.com (162.144.104.203): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=0 ttl=54 time=431.522 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=1 ttl=54 time=430.753 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=2 ttl=54 time=430.885 ms 64 bytes from 162.144.104.203: icmp_seq=3 ttl=54 time=434.329 ms ^C --- bearbulltraders.com ping statistics --- 4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0.0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 430.753/431.872/434.329/1.448 ms Notice how when I come from these places my pings require a couple hundred more milliseconds to get all the way around the planet and back. I used these as an extreme example to show that 1.) it doesn't take very long at all for traffic to get all the way around the world, and 2.) if you're having ping latency >900ms then something is wrong. There are also 3rd party tools you can use to monitor latency, such as www.pingplotter.com which allow you to specify multiple destination targets that you can monitor over time. Best of luck, Uncle B

Hey Carlos, I've been buying (and relying on) UPS's for years and after many experiences with different vendors I've come to trust only one brand, APC. I'll warn you now, they're not cheap. A few other tips to think about... Size Matters When sizing your UPS device be sure to consider more than just your computer. Think about all of the critical devices between you and your broker. You've got your computer, probably the router, an internet modem of some sort, multiple monitors, etc. You'll want to be able to put all of those items onto the UPS. The goal is to survive a power outage, or even an momentary brownout, with no impact to your trading desk. Most ISP's bring your internet service into your residence over fiber, CAT6, coaxial cable, or phone lines, and as long as your on-premise equipment (the modem) is protected by an UPS, your internet connection will actually continue to operate just fine while your residence is completely powered down and in the dark. Next is your router or switch. Then your computer and monitors. Get all of those things onto a strip or two that is then plugged into the UPS. It does you no good if your computer is up, but your monitors are not, or your internet modem is dead. Time Matters Depending on the model of UPS you pick, you'll have varying levels of time before it's power reserve runs out. At the low end you should have no less than 15-20 minutes, on the high end some UPSs will give you hours. Either way, you'll still be in control and have time to either exit your positions or stay in the market. The amount of money you spend on an UPS will largely be dictated by this decision alone, how much time do you need to have in reserves. If you only need 15-20 minutes you can get by with a less expensive model. If you require all-day trading, then it's going to cost you, potentially in the thousands. Have a flashlight at your trading desk, cause the only light you'll have is whatever your monitors are putting off. Those of you with black backgrounds will have less light than those of you with white backgrounds (naturally). Simulate an outage until it doesn't phase your nerves Once you're all setup, I recommend doing several live tests. Not in your live account of course, but in your simulator account. Have someone randomly shut off the breaker to the circuit feeding your UPS and measure how much time you have with all critical devices plugged in. You're going to need to remember this number. Establish and practice your emergency procedure for exiting positions and taking your accounts flat. Most UPSs throw an audible alarm when power goes out. It can be a very nerve racking experience, even for the most emotionally stable trader. So, in a controlled fashion, when your money is not at risk, simulate an outage and practice your response procedure(s) over and over until it doesn't phase your nerves at all. "Oh, I just lost power, ok, I need to do X, Y, and Z." Cool as a cucumber. The reason this is very important is because in the heat of the moment you need a cool head to be able to focus all your attention on exiting your positions. If your freaking out about the room being dark, or the UPS alarm squawking in your ear, you're at risk for making bad decisions. It is a really weird feeling when you lose power unexpectedly, your entire house (or neighborhood) is dark, the lights are off in your office, it might be pitch dark, the UPS is the only sound squawking loudly, but meanwhile your ISP modem, router, computer, monitors, trading platform, etc. are still lit up and operating like nothing happened. Prepare yourself for this and practice it regularly so when it does happen you brush it off and keep your cool. I couldn't fathom what it would be like to be in a heavy position and everything just goes black. Traders worst nightmare. best of luck, Uncle B