Should I learn to use hot keys (instead of hot buttons) to place an order?

[Teruki 21]

Hi,
I am a beginner and have been working on getting used to DAS.
I read Andrew's books and he mentioned professional traders don't use a mouse and only use a keyboard to place an order with hot keys.
I practiced for a week and I never used hotkeys and only used hot buttons. I feel they are good enough but is it better to learn and get used to using hot keys?
Is it just a matter of preference as long as I don't manually type in share numbers etc.?

Edited April 15, 2020 by Teruki

[Justin 264]

Hotkeys are substantially faster once they are memorized. It's muscle memory.

With a mouse you visually have to see where to put the cursor, find the button, find where the mouse is on the screen (definitely can be an issue when you start trading with multiple monitors), and then you have to make sure you're clicking the right button.

100% learn hotkeys.

[Alastair 114]

 

Master YOUR tool.   A gamer can use a keyboard or a game controller.   Which is better for the gamer ? 

Been trading full time since 2007, i do not use a keyboard.

Edited April 16, 2020 by Alastair Mowatt
spell

[Justin 264]

17 hours ago, Alastair Mowatt said:

A gamer can use a keyboard or a game controller.   Which is better for the gamer ?

Not a great example as gamers get a keyboard and mouse. And in cross compatible games they give controller players aim assist 🤣 No aim assist here.

Time trading is irrelevant. Sure, if you're comfortable with it, stick with it. But it's not faster.

Edited April 16, 2020 by Justin

[Alastair 114]

Exactly....perfect answer.

Tiger Woods did his 10,000 hrs hitting golf balls. he has now mastered it and is COMFORTABLE with his style.

 

[Teruki 21]

Thank you guys for your replies.
So, I understand hot keys are faster, but if you are more comfortable with hot buttons then master it, right?
Sure, clicking the button is comfortable because it is just a matter of clicking it, but the thing is I have not even tried hot keys as I just began paper trading.
If hot keys are significantly faster and it would affect my trading a lot in the future,  it seems like it is better to start working on it while I am still new.

That said, if there is anyone else not using hot keys but only hot buttons please weigh in.

[Justin 264]

1 minute ago, Teruki said:

If hot keys are significantly faster and it would affect my trading a lot in the future,  it seems like it is better to start working on it while I am still new.

This can't be more true for new traders. If you've been using a mouse your whole life you're not going to switch.  But while you're new and training, practice on the fastest executing tool you have.

[Tracy 3]

On 4/16/2020 at 1:26 PM, Teruki said:

If hot keys are significantly faster and it would affect my trading a lot in the future,  it seems like it is better to start working on it while I am still new.

That's my thought as well, so before I start training I was planning to pick up the Elgato stream deck. 

But now I'm curious, what's the difference between a hot key and a hot button? 

[Tracy 3]

Ah, OK. Thanks Peter. 

[Alastair 114]

 

To test ur comfort level i suggest u try the following two things:

 

1.  Convert ur old/new mobile phone to a Stream Deck.  Download from App store, install the PC dev tool, create profiles first then install mobile app and connect. Its 30 days free trial, $3.00/mth after.  Many Youtube videos to teach you. Buy physical deck after if u like or continue with phone.

 

2. Invest in multi-function mouse with additional buttons. Logitech has a few. Map hotkey commands to mouse buttons and test.    MX 3 series was good to me.

 

3. Logitech Flow and Options software and/or MS Mouse Without Borders was also helpful when u want seamless screens / mouse / keyboards across multiple windows computers.

[Teruki 21]

On 4/19/2020 at 12:01 PM, Alastair Mowatt said:

 

To test ur comfort level i suggest u try the following two things:

 

1.  Convert ur old/new mobile phone to a Stream Deck.  Download from App store, install the PC dev tool, create profiles first then install mobile app and connect. Its 30 days free trial, $3.00/mth after.  Many Youtube videos to teach you. Buy physical deck after if u like or continue with phone.

 

2. Invest in multi-function mouse with additional buttons. Logitech has a few. Map hotkey commands to mouse buttons and test.    MX 3 series was good to me.

 

3. Logitech Flow and Options software and/or MS Mouse Without Borders was also helpful when u want seamless screens / mouse / keyboards across multiple windows computers.

Thank you I will look into it!