Quote from travis:
Well, I really feel guilty for complaining so much. You've been very helpful. The only problem I still see is with the endless updates of TWS, which are causing all the problems.
I found all the menus and files you're mentioning, and the error was about a "socket" but not about a "dll" if my research in the mentioned files was correct. I have found this error, repeatedly in the last few days: "Error reading from socket gw1.ibllc.com:4001 (SSL) - java.net.SocketException: Software caused connection abort...".
That message, if I recall correctly, matches the message on the popup box on which I clicked "ok", too quickly. Next time I'll take a picture of it before dismissing it.
Regarding the private emails and giving you my details, the problem is not that I don't want to use this forum to send IB my information, but rather that I do not want IB to connect my identity on this forum. Otherwise I'll feel paranoid about my complaints. Imagine a situation where I fear that IB will say "Ok, this travis has complained too much, he's giving us bad publicity... let's terminate his account". I want to be able to complain freely about problems, and even to add some frustration in my posts, which is something that I would never do via the message center or within IB's customer service. In other words, once "travis" becomes "that IB customer", then I will lose that freedom. I will feel "hey, I can't complain or they might terminate my account".
Well, while i agree with all complaints [ and that lately the TWS interface has become almost unusable (please get rid of that thing called "Mosaic", really if a student submitted to me that interface he would immediately fail the exam) and too many totally useless things are being added, while they don't listen to our basic requests ] i still like to think that IB is, in general, the most serious broker around and i don't think they would terminate your account because you are trying helping them to serve better their customers and their own interest.
After all this software is made for the customers, and not to please the self esteem of some arrogant manager who thinks he knows how to make good software, while evidently his arrogance is by far greater than his common sense, basic good taste and general intelligence.
Complaints must be a precious occasion to create a better product and not to get offended or persecute the user who is making an effort to help, instead of changing broker. Myself, as software creator usually don't let even an user speak, as soon as i detect something making him uncomfortable, even indirectly, i immediately change and correct it, and he does not even have time to realize he was about to complain.
Remember: Simplicity. Not the "stupid simplicity", but <b>Simplicity</b> as extreme result of a lifetime of sophistication, a RE builder used to say ...
Problem is often outsourcing. It's very easy for a software developer to spot the total lack of skills, capacity of abstraction or clumsiness in other people software (harder to see those in his own
). The important thing is to have the mind open and understand immediately that when there is a complaint, for sure there is something which can be improved: at least intuitivity or communication with the user.
Arrogance and stupidity are two biggest business enemies. Unfortunately in any big organization, there is always some individual that should not be in the position he holds. We all recognize that IB is the most serious broker around and for this reason we get upset when it deviates from our expectations. Listen to your affectionate users. Get rid or relocate the incompetent and the arrogant, and let your light shine at full power ...
