Greetings
from NeuroDimension!
The World Leader in Neural Network Software
This issue of the TradingSolutions
newsletter highlights the availability of an update to TradingSolutions, along
with tips and techniques for using TradingSolutions more effectively.
In this issue you’ll find:
Product
Upgrade Announcement
* New TradingSolutions Build
Available
What’s New
and News?
* New Offer from the Financial
Bookstore
* Work Directories
- Backing Up Your
Work
- Using Multiple Work
Directories
- Labeling Work
Directories
* Selectable Neural Models
- Using the Default
Models
- Simple Networks
- Recurrent Networks
- The
TradingSolutions Suite
Products
and Events of Interest
* TASC Traders’ Tips in Solution Library
* Neural 101 Website
Note: You are
receiving this newsletter because you requested to stay informed concerning
information about TradingSolutions from NeuroDimension. If you would like to
stop receiving these newsletters, please see the bottom of this newsletter for
removal instructions.
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TradingSolutions v1.21 Build 010522 is
now available from NeuroDimension. The current build fixes minor problems
encountered in the initial release of Version 1.2. A patch is available to
upgrade most previous versions and builds of TradingSolutions to the current
build.
Version 1.21 also adds over 60 new built-in
functions:
* A new Signal Filters function
group, including new trade stop simulations.
* A new Constant Values function
group with commonly used constant values.
* New Signal Processing
functions, including Bars Since Entry.
* New Series Sampling functions,
including states since a condition was last true.
* New Variable Length series
functions to allow more flexible series processing.
* New Date functions, including
Days Since Date and Value On Date.
* Average True Range Bars
functions.
* A Linear Regression Period
Intercept function.
Upgrading to the new build is free for
current customers. No additional activation
codes are required to upgrade to the new version. Simply install the upgrade
and start enjoying the new features. Users of the free evaluation version can
also upgrade to this new build.
For information on upgrading to the
latest version, as well as a complete list of the changes made in this build,
see http://www.tradingsolutions.com/download/updates.html
You can determine the current version
and build of your TradingSolutions installation by selecting About
TradingSolutions from the Help menu.
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The grand opening of the TradingSolutions Financial
Bookstore was last month and it was very successful. To celebrate, we’re
offering three free titles with every order from our bookstore before
the end of May. You’ll get the following titles FREE with your purchase:
* Technical Analysis Simplified (a
$29.95 value)
* Day Trading Wizard on audio tape
(worth $19.95)
* Secret of SOES Bandit (a $29.95
value)
That’s an $80 dollar value, FREE with your order. To
take advantage of this special offer, use the following link to enter our
bookstore and place an order:
http://www.invest-store.com/tradingsolutions/tl0516.html
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Backing Up Your Work
TradingSolutions stores all of your data, functions, and
trained predictions in a single directory called the “Work” directory. By
default, this is a subdirectory named “Work” in the directory where you
installed TradingSolutions. Typically, this means you can locate at:
C:\Program Files\TradingSolutions\Work
If you would like to back up your TradingSolutions data and
calculations, simply back up the Work subdirectory. If you would prefer a
smaller backup, you can back up the fields you need for creating the signals
that you trade by creating trading solutions for each of those fields
(including the weights), exporting these solutions, and backing up only the
exported solution files.
Using Multiple Work Directories
TradingSolutions can use multiple Work directories. This is
useful for keeping the stocks you are trading separate from large numbers of
stocks you may occasionally scan for good models. To switch between two work
directories, select “Change Work Directory…” from the File menu. To create a
new Work directory, simply use Windows to create an empty folder and point to
it with “Change Work Directory…”.
Labeling Work Directories
Each time TradingSolutions is opened, it opens to the Work
directory it was using the last time it was run. If you have multiple Work
directories with similar contents, it can sometimes be a little confusing which
Work directory you are starting out in. To visually label which Work directory
you are currently in, try renaming “My Portfolio” to a new name, like “Active
Portfolio” or “Research Portfolio”.
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Using the Default Models
When you create a new prediction in TradingSolutions, the
Predict a Value Wizard automatically selects the best model and settings for
most predictions. However, with a little experimentation, you can often find
better models for specific sets of data. This month’s feature spotlight covers
some of the alternative models that are available.
TradingSolutions includes state-of-the-art neural networks
designed specifically for use with time-series data, like that of the stock
market. They include memory directly in the model that helps the network to
detect patterns in the sequencing of the data. Most of the predictions created
in TradingSolutions default to this type of network. Therefore, adjusting the
model type is often not necessary.
Simple Networks
The simplest type of memory used in the neural network
models can be simulated by manually adding lags of the inputs to the
prediction. For example, instead of using only the percent change in the
closing price, you could use the last five percent changes in the closing
price. When these types of inputs are detected, a more basic neural network
model is used to avoid unwanted redundant processing.
This basic neural network model is called a Multi-Layer
Perceptron (MLP). TradingSolutions includes several offshoots from this basic
model that allow for more specialized processing. For example, modular networks
contain multiple processing paths, allowing different paths to specialize on
different aspects of the data. Feedforward variations of these networks allow
some of the data to bypass sections of the processing so that both the raw and
processed values of the data can be evaluated later in the network.
Recurrent Networks
The default time-lag networks used in TradingSolutions keep
the most recent values in buffers to help the network identify patterns. An
alternative to this type of memory is available in recurrent networks, which
echo the last processed values back through the network to be used in the
processing of the next value. Due to its different approach to memory, these
types of models may be better suited to longer term trends.
The TradingSolutions Suite
TradingSolutions includes over 50 variations of 5 different
neural network models. However, you are not limited to using only these models.
The TradingSolutions Suite, which includes NeuroSolutions and the Custom
Solution Wizard, allows you to build your own specialized neural models using a
graphical user interface and helpful design wizards. Experiment with Principal
Component Analysis networks, fuzzy logic, and other technologies, then train
and use your creations directly in TradingSolutions.
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Many TradingSolutions users read Technical Analysis of
Stocks and Commodities (TASC), the Traders’ Magazine. It’s a great way to
trade smarter with detailed information on trading strategies, charting
patterns, indicators, and computerized trading methods. As a free service to
our users, we arrange for the “Traders’ Tips” section of the magazine to
include tips and techniques for implementing many of the indicators found in
the magazine in TradingSolutions.
Each time a tip is included in the magazine, we also include
the implemented functions in the Solution Library on our web site. These
functions can be imported into either the full version or the evaluation
version of TradingSolutions and are completely free. Visit the Solution Library
now at: http://www.tradingsolutions.com/download/solution.html
If you aren’t familiar with Technical Analysis of Stocks
and Commodities, we encourage you to visit their web site at: http://www.traders.com
Neural 101
is a free educational web site on trading stock and futures markets with neural
networks. It includes message areas, links, trading indicators, systems and
scans. The message areas include special forums on building trading systems,
using neural networks, and even discussing tips, tricks, and ideas for using
TradingSolutions.
NeuroDimension
encourages the use of this free resource to foster discussions between people
interested in TradingSolutions. You can visit Neural 101 at http://www.neural101.com. The
TradingSolutions message forum can be located using the “Message Forums” link
from the left-hand menu.
Have an event or product you would like to announce? Contact
us at submissions@nd.com.
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We appreciate your feedback! Please send us your comments or
suggestions concerning this newsletter, our web site, or part of the
NeuroDimension product line. Write to us at: feedback@nd.com
Have questions about TradingSolutions? Send your questions
to: info@tradingsolutions.com
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