What Do You Want?
Given the barroom brawls that frequently break out in the comments section (with more than a few broken beer bottles thrown directly at your humble narrator), I decided it was time to embrace democracy and let the readers of this poll take about 15 seconds out of their busy day and state how to improve this blog.
The first question is the most important to me - whether or not people want anonymous posters or not (that is, to allow anonymous people to post in the comment section). The advantage of allowing anonymous postings is you get a more active comment section, and most of the anonymous posters are worthwhile. The disadvantage is that you get a few bad apples that try to ruin it for everyone. I'd like to know what you think:
Next, I'd like your opinion as to how you'd like to see this blog improved. I've put in a few suggested answers, but you can also type in a free-form answer of your own.
Lastly, I'd be interested to know how you characterize yourself as a trader. I confess to being a bear - - it's the cross I carry. How about you? A bear? A bull? Or do you claim to be what everyone should be, which is agnostic? Be honest, now...
31 comments:
cool little voting machine...
1. went with anon since I have trouble signing onto google.
2. went with index analysis, i would focus more on the indexes since they are nearing record highs, individual stocks arent worth the time in my opinion right now, entering a bear market than maybe it would be good to consider some individual stocks. I basically trade the ETFs so that why I focus on the indexes
3. BEARISH
by the way what is happening with the Shanghai, at another record high last night. It just doesnt stop. I would say its definetly in a bubble now.
I just started reading this blog last Friday. I'm not sure I'm going to read it again. I'm trying to learn from Tim's chart reading ability. It is a total waste of all our time to read most of the responses found on this site. Why can't we just make this a blog a place where we help each other make money? Bears or Bulls who cares as long as we share profitable ideas.
"I just started reading this blog last Friday. I'm not sure I'm going to read it again. I'm trying to learn from Tim's chart reading ability. It is a total waste of all our time to read most of the responses found on this site. Why can't we just make this a blog a place where we help each other make money? Bears or Bulls who cares as long as we share profitable ideas."
That's precisely why I am running the poll.
Also, don't be scared off by the comments from Friday. Friday was an extraordinary day, and it brought out the worst in people. It typically isn't that vicious.
Tim, this is your blog. You and your insights are what people should come here to see. You are a trader with skills, insights, and opinions. That is what I expect to see and learn from on this sight. The fact that you are right or wrong in your opinion/analysis is irrelevant. It is the thought process and the reasons you come up with your trades where a person of wisdom will learn something to add to their skils and knowledge. If your detractors don't like your opinions, they can start their own blogs or go somewhere different. Personally, I learn more from a differing opinion than I do from someone with the same opinion I already have. Nonetheless, keep doing what you do.
No matter what persuasion your gut tells one to be right now (bull/bear),there is one fact that will be less than equitable for the bears for the foreseeable future ,and that is that companies are buying back their own stock at an increasing rate creating less supply and more demand for those shares by funds and individuals.Charts,graphs ,& TA can't be showing that,but it's happening.That scenario ABSOLUTELY makes stock prices go higher in any environment.
And right or wrong ,I think 90% of blog comment writers are no longer willing to hassle with user names,passwords,and detangling that crazy word verification box JUST to make a comment of any kind.Good or bad.There is too many of them out there now that make it easy to say what you want to say hassle free.And if you got a little more open minded about market direction ,the tone of hostile commentors might subdue considerably.Because if this thing does rally quite a bit higher for the next year or so,and you stay a die hard bear,what is there to say anyway ? Just a thought.
I agree with the Anonymous poster.
Lets keep it mostly in indexs and ETF's. A lot of us don't have the big bucks to play individual stocks.
I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this blog. isn't there some way you can ban the folks who have difficulty keeping it clean and on topic for this blog ?
Ken
Anonymous said...
cool little voting machine...
1. went with anon since I have trouble signing onto google.
2. went with index analysis, i would focus more on the indexes since they are nearing record highs, individual stocks arent worth the time in my opinion right now, entering a bear market than maybe it would be good to consider some individual stocks. I basically trade the ETFs so that why I focus on the indexes
3. BEARISH
It's your blog. I like reading about your personal take. If you tell people what they wanna hear, it becomes like any other media, and that's not a good thing. I have been bearish too mostly, but I am learning this bull respects nothing and so I am waiting for a pullback to jump in long :). It's coming as I type...
As always, great blog. A suggestion for the to-print-or-not-to-print-ugly-comments dilemma is to simply adopt a No Bullies policy: refuse to publish insulting, demeaning and abusive remarks.
Such omissions don't suppress the open discssion of alternative views, because being abusive isn't a view -- it's just being abusive.
I trust you to publish all sides of the issue --even those who may choose to disagree with you. However, I also hope you'll have the wisdom to avoid showing us useless grafitti.
Bulls, yes. Bullies, no.
Bulls, yes. Bullies, no. I like that. Well said!
A few comments:
+ I wish I could ban the nasties, but I can't. There isn't a practical way to do that.
+ Given the choice between moderating and zapping evil comments, I choose the latter. And I'm zapping hardly ANY comments, because I want this to be an open place, not an I Love Tim forum. I'm man enough to let people tell me I'm an idiot. But when it gets excessive and repetitive, it gets tiresome and useless for others.
+ I agree, cool little voting machine! I had never done a poll before, and I did a search this morning and tripped across PollDaddy.com. They have done a fantastic job, and I sent them a note saying as much. Developers rarely get a pat on the back, so I definitely want to say something when I see something exceptional.
I have only written a few times, and have been Anon. because I am probably to lazy to sign up. I have also had difficulty with Google/Blog... The way I do is if the message is of no value to the site or its readers I skip it as soon as I see that, and go to the next one. I do not have any problem with how the site is now being handled. I feel like a mix of stocks and indexes is best for a balance.... I tend to be a bear for now.
yea, let everyone post tim, I also disregard the foolish posts.
As for what 11:04am said, I also having trouble using google, it just doesnt work for me. I cant wait for the next huge down day, the bulls have had quite a run. Market down in the last 30 mins due to what GM said. Lets see if the DOW can stay red into the close. Also TXN after the bell, going to be interesting to see what they do.
Allow only registered users to post on the blog.
Filter posts that are of no use wrt markets.
Tim
Keep anonymous posters for the following reasons (1) For reasons cited by some terrific contributors, having a Google account is a non-starter for some; and (2) the beneficence of their contributions far outweighs the malevolence voiced by a few of the Luddites; (3) the Luddites serve as a convenient reminder has to how far any of us can slip if we fail to mind out manners.
Regarding your content--I think that part of the appeal of your blog is that your content reflects your personality and your trading style. And what better thing can be said of an investor/trader that they know and are true to their investing style.
Regarding your Funny Stuff--Your videos are like opening a box of Cracker Jacks and getting a prize. So please keep them. We'll be quick to upbraid you should your selection transgress good taste.
"Regarding your Funny Stuff--Your videos are like opening a box of Cracker Jacks and getting a prize. So please keep them. We'll be quick to upbraid you should your selection transgress good taste."
Well, the market has to resume is downward slide for me to get jolly enough to post these. I was looking back in the "good old days" of early March and the videos were a flippin' scream. So, if for no other reason, the market needs to fall for the sake of comical videos.
Well, we're down 35 points on the Dow with 40 minutes left to go. Hey, market, can you give us just one down day? Please? Don't rally 100 points in the next 40 minutes, m'kay?
ndx 100 up on aapl. This week aapl could go too 100, if AAPL earnings are really good AAPL could easily gain 10 points this week without a problem. Maybe even 15, that could put the NDX well above 1900 which would be the end to my QID position. This has been a slow ride down for me, my account sees red on a daily basis due to the strength of this market. Seems no matter what happens the market is poised to move higher. Someone on the Lauriston BLOG mentioned that China cant go down because there are 50 IPOS due out in 2007-2008, and they are all backed by the government...Does that make any sense to anyone here.
I know the DOW is selling off today, well off 27 points but the NDX is holding strong due to AAPL. Im hoping AAPL misses their QU and it falls back to 75.
may go long some QLD since my portfolio is just as bearish as it could get, whats the most I could lose on that position.
Figure 1/2 position at 87
1/4 position 82
1/4 position 80.
looking to sell my QID at 55-56 range, dont think thats coming anytime soon.
i hope the dow doesnt go green....waiting to see what txn does after the bell.
the bears cant win one fucking thing, TXN is up 2 dollars after the close. Looks like the semis are going higher, SMH to 40. WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
suck it bears. we are the allmighty bulls and you will continue to bow to us.
1. Please keep the anonymous posters, they make good contrarian indicators!
2. I like both the index charts and stock charts. I like your analysis
as much as anyone else I've read.
3. I'm bearish overall, but bullish on individual stocks.
Tim,
My 2 cents (as a long time reader of your blog):
1. Ditch the anonymous posters. It takes no effort - NO EFFORT - to register. If they can't be bothered or motivated enough to do that, then why let him ramble on here and insult each other. I don't need to read that crap!
2. I would like an expansion on individual stocks and an analyis sof the chart. I'm generally bullish, but I want to learn as much about charts as possible and seeing how others think helps in one way or another. I'm not looking for picks or hints or tips on shorts or puts, I just want more insight in to how you see a particular chart.
3. Keep the humor. Always. Have a great evening.
Des
I agree, the "haters" are an excellent indicator, if you know what to look for:
When they're all in your face and gloating like, that's a time to question bullish assumptions.
When the markets are trending bearish, they disappear, which is time for a bear to be cautious.
One day, the haters will be recalcitrant, and the bears will be all gloating and high-five-like. That's the day to question bearish assumptions.
There is no science to this, and it's far from being as cut and dry as I'd like to make it out to be. However, there is something to this. I use a similar type of psychological reading with the Yahoo message boards. It's just another data point.
Answered your poll as 'bearish' although like you Tim, not perma-bearish. Just bearish until economic cycle has clearly put in a downturn, and there is blood in the streets. Perhaps 12 months +/- 12 months.
Permabears are visiting this site in droves!!!!
http://www.vaseline.com/
Nice poll!
I answered:
1) I have a bias towards registered parties, just because I think anonymity breeds contempt, if ya get me. OTOH, some of those guys are farking amusing, and I'm not such a comment nazi as some of the above "who vill only haf ze dizcussion on ze schtocks!"
2) Concentrate on Indexes. I think we can get the most comprehensive view of the market from these. In that sense, Tom2Oc's blog (RIP) was very helpful in my trading education because he concentrated almost exclusively on the big "tell" indexes, and the large market leaders (GOOG, AAPL).
3)Go with the flow, baybee. Jesse Livermore disciple here. Why fight such a big bad overly manipulated thing as Mr. Market?
4) Oh, Geez, please more vids. Which comment nazis voted against 'em?? Bring 'em over heah! Why I oughtta....
My six year old in particular requests more "Charlie the Cynical UniRenal Unicorn"
Please.
See if you can ban bad anonymous posters by ip-address or something similar.
You might also be able to get a fanboy with time to kill to help police the comments and kill all the offensive comments before you get to them...
But who polices the fanboys?
Man, I have to take credit for that, although I hope I made my point by posting it anonymously. I also posted the last bit about policing the fanboys. C'mon, a brilliant comment deserves attribution, and one of these days I'll get the blog going.
I wouldn't change a word.
--
When the markets are trending bearish, they disappear, which is time for a bear to be cautious.
One day, the haters will be recalcitrant, and the bears will be all gloating and high-five-like. That's the day to question bearish assumptions.
There is no science to this, and it's far from being as cut and dry as I'd like to make it out to be. However, there is something to this. I use a similar type of psychological reading with the Yahoo message boards. It's just another data point.
Answered your poll as 'bearish' although like you Tim, not perma-bearish. Just bearish until economic cycle has clearly put in a downturn, and there is blood in the streets. Perhaps 12 months +/- 12 months.
3:20 PM
great blog.
i love the knowledge you bring to TA. would love to hear more of your expertise there. I am greatly looking forward to getting your book. It might be kind of cool for you to take some live examples and say, "this is what i meant on page ??? when I said ???" just kind of an interesting thought
i tend to be bearish in most of my trades...i get excited about making money off stocks that are dropping -- it is fun to tell friends that i made money when a stock moved downward because most people can't wrap their brains around that comcept and it gives me a fragile & fleeting feeling of greatness. humor is great! keep the humor coming. some of the videos i have been too unintelligent enough to understand, but maybe that is the point. hehehehe
I read the comments to get a handle on sentiment....the more posts you get the more accurate it is. the nasty ones seem ignorant, but the info they provide is priceless. You may "seem" to have flawed skills as a technician because you buck the trend, or you have great skill at baiting people to get a huge response.
humble.
Post a Comment