regarding keeping the main IB window on top always...
this would not be good for traders (like me!) who have other programs running on the same computer as IB and on the same monitor
true, when entering/exiting a position, the IB main screen is the most important thing in the world
but there are other times, dozens of times a day for me, when I open another window on top of the IB trading screen
my hardware/software set-up is as follows: 2 x 19" monitors on PC #1 dedicated solely to data provider, then a single 17" monitor on PC #2 with many programs running, including IB
if the IB trading screen was 'on top always', on a 17" monitor it would be impossible see the entire IB Executions window or the IB Account window. it would also be impossible to see the full window for any other programs (Internet Explorer, eg)
so, IMHO, the 'stay on top' might be usefull to some, it would be best if it was available as on option under the "Settings" tab. That way 'stay on top' would be defeatable for those who prefer not to use it.
Other suggestions :
1) the "Transmit" and "Cancel" keys are too close to each other and they should not even be next to each other at all. I refer BOTH to the "C" & "T" buttons on the upper part of the interface as well as the 'pop-up' window resulting from right clicking on an order. This creates the possibility of accidentally transmitting an order which you have decided NOT to send. Stick another button (or selection, in the context menu) in between these two, like maybe "Duplicate" or "Order"
so that if a mistake is made it won't be a $ losing mistake.
2) screen space is extremely valuable, there are 2 IB windows which could be trimmed down to eliminate wasted space. First, the IB trading screen has some unused space near the top and to the right of the buttons O C T E A. It would be great if these buttons could be placed directly to the right of the "help" drop down menu. Secondly, the IB Account Info window REALLY needs to go on a diet... there is a lot of wasted space in this one.
3) there could be a user selected default instrument (stock, option, etc) and routing choice. Under the "Settings" drop down there is already a selection called "Order Defaults...", these new options could be added to that window. This would make it easier and faster to enter a new symbol into the trade screen. Retain the ability to change your own defaults by right clicking on an order to get the appropriate context menu.
4) there could also be a setting available for the "Account Info" window where you could decide NOT to display any positions not opened today. for example, say you open a 2000 share position (day trade) on a fast stock and you exit that position a couple hundred shares at a time. it is easy to lose track of the current size remaining and the Account Info window gives you that info. It is easier to find this number quickly if there is only one entry in the "account info" window. It is more difficult to find if there are also displayed a few (longer term) open positions.
IB is a good thing...
thanks def
P.S. I agree with the notion that streamlining is preferable to adding 'bells and whistles'. the fewer wasted motions and the less superfluous (sp?) information the better
this would not be good for traders (like me!) who have other programs running on the same computer as IB and on the same monitor
true, when entering/exiting a position, the IB main screen is the most important thing in the world
but there are other times, dozens of times a day for me, when I open another window on top of the IB trading screen
my hardware/software set-up is as follows: 2 x 19" monitors on PC #1 dedicated solely to data provider, then a single 17" monitor on PC #2 with many programs running, including IB
if the IB trading screen was 'on top always', on a 17" monitor it would be impossible see the entire IB Executions window or the IB Account window. it would also be impossible to see the full window for any other programs (Internet Explorer, eg)
so, IMHO, the 'stay on top' might be usefull to some, it would be best if it was available as on option under the "Settings" tab. That way 'stay on top' would be defeatable for those who prefer not to use it.
Other suggestions :
1) the "Transmit" and "Cancel" keys are too close to each other and they should not even be next to each other at all. I refer BOTH to the "C" & "T" buttons on the upper part of the interface as well as the 'pop-up' window resulting from right clicking on an order. This creates the possibility of accidentally transmitting an order which you have decided NOT to send. Stick another button (or selection, in the context menu) in between these two, like maybe "Duplicate" or "Order"
so that if a mistake is made it won't be a $ losing mistake.
2) screen space is extremely valuable, there are 2 IB windows which could be trimmed down to eliminate wasted space. First, the IB trading screen has some unused space near the top and to the right of the buttons O C T E A. It would be great if these buttons could be placed directly to the right of the "help" drop down menu. Secondly, the IB Account Info window REALLY needs to go on a diet... there is a lot of wasted space in this one.
3) there could be a user selected default instrument (stock, option, etc) and routing choice. Under the "Settings" drop down there is already a selection called "Order Defaults...", these new options could be added to that window. This would make it easier and faster to enter a new symbol into the trade screen. Retain the ability to change your own defaults by right clicking on an order to get the appropriate context menu.
4) there could also be a setting available for the "Account Info" window where you could decide NOT to display any positions not opened today. for example, say you open a 2000 share position (day trade) on a fast stock and you exit that position a couple hundred shares at a time. it is easy to lose track of the current size remaining and the Account Info window gives you that info. It is easier to find this number quickly if there is only one entry in the "account info" window. It is more difficult to find if there are also displayed a few (longer term) open positions.
IB is a good thing...
thanks def
P.S. I agree with the notion that streamlining is preferable to adding 'bells and whistles'. the fewer wasted motions and the less superfluous (sp?) information the better
