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Objective functions (was RE: [amibroker] Re: Optimization -- again)



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Really ? 

I remember doing EMA's on my TI59 eons ago and recording 
the "programs" for stuff like MACD's etc. on mag cards.

--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "palsanand" <palsanand@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Sorry, I have signed agreements that I will not disclose the name 
or 
> contents or specifics of this system to anyone else in any manner, 
> verbal, written or electronically.  I had to do this in-order to 
buy 
> this system.  
> 
> If I did disclose, it would be a copyright violation and I could be 
> sued for it.
> 
> When I bought the system it was somewhat crude, mainly because the 
> original inventor of this system was using simple moving averages 
> because you really need a computer to calcluate an exponential 
moving 
> average and computers were not available during those times...  I 
> have put in an enormous amount of hard work to perfect it.
> 
> Even if I can disclose, I know that if one had developed a highly 
> successful system, one might be very reluctant to put it on the 
> market for everyone to use.
> 
> I can only discuss strategy and publish results.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Pal
> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Fred" <fctonetti@xxxx> wrote:
> > Pal,
> > 
> > Since it would appear, please correct me if I'm wrong, that the 
> > system you keep refering to is one that is commercially 
available, 
> I 
> > can understand why you won't/can't supply the details of it, but 
> can 
> > you tell us whose system it is and where it's being marketed ? 
URL 
> > etc.
> > 
> > Thanks, Fred
> > 
> > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "palsanand" <palsanand@xxxx> 
> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
> > > 
> > > Although I have never personally worked with any of the systems 
> > > covered by Futures Truth, I have no doubt that they are all 
curve-
> > > fitted. Any 'system' that purports to specialize in one market 
is 
> > > optimized for that particular set of data.
> > > 
> > > Some people will say that different markets have individual 
> > > characteristics or personalities. This may be true to a limited 
> > > extent. However, in testing, a computer doesn't 'know' what 
> market 
> > it 
> > > is examining.  All the computer knows is a bunch of numbers 
> (highs, 
> > > lows, closes), from which it attempts to produce an algorithm 
to 
> > > explain or predict price behavior.
> > > 
> > > For a system to be valid, it should work over a given set of 
> > numbers 
> > > (data).  Whether those numbers have a name such as 'Beans" 
> > or 'Bonds" 
> > > is (and should be) irrelevant to the data and to the testing 
> > program.
> > > 
> > > Lots of systems make money when they trend and lose money when 
> they 
> > > don't.  This is not surprising.  The best that you can hope for 
> is 
> > to 
> > > create a system that is profitable over time over a wide range 
of 
> > > markets.  Systems such as the Turtles use, makes money when the 
> > > markets trend and loses money when they don't (no surprise). 
> > > 
> > > Since trendiness is a proven characteristic of commodity 
markets, 
> > > given a long enough sample period (i.e. ten years) almost all 
the 
> > > markets yield positive results.
> > > 
> > > However, in any given year, since there are only a few good 
> trends, 
> > > most of the markets will prove unprofitable. This is not a 
reason 
> > to 
> > > abandon the system, or to eliminate (temporarily) unprofitable 
> > > markets from the portfolio. In fact, the markets that have lost 
> the 
> > > most money recently (due to being in a consolidation) will 
> probably 
> > > be the best in the future (when they finally hit a trend).
> > > 
> > > Finally, If one could learn to tell when the markets will trend 
> and 
> > > when they will be in a trading range, they wouldn't need to 
know 
> > much 
> > > else to make money. One can visually eyeball a chart and tell 
if 
> > it's 
> > > in a trend or consolidation, but that still doesn't tell one 
much 
> > > about the future. 
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > 
> > > Pal
> > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "palsanand" <palsanand@xxxx> 
> > wrote:
> > > > Steve,
> > > > 
> > > > I don't use this Aberration system, so I can't comment on 
it.  
> I 
> > do 
> > > > know that Futures Truth tests a lot of systems which are 
> > > essentially 
> > > > curve-fitted...
> > > > 
> > > > I compare all systems with my primary trading system which 
> works 
> > > for 
> > > > all markets (Stocks, Futures and FOREX) and has been in R&D 
for 
> > > over 
> > > > 45 years.  It is also the most accurate T-Bond trading system 
> > ever 
> > > > developed...  I have collected/developed over 140 systems but 
> I'm 
> > > yet 
> > > > to find another system other than my primary trading system 
> with 
> > > > which I can trade with absolute confidence and even convert 
my 
> > > losing 
> > > > positions into profit...  The rest of the 139 or so systems 
> have 
> > > been 
> > > > reduced to simple verification systems....
> > > > 
> > > > George Patton once said that a Warriors greatest asset is his 
> > self-
> > > > confidence...
> > > > 
> > > > Regards,
> > > > 
> > > > Pal
> > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "CedarCreekTrading" 
> > > <kernish@xxxx> 
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > Pal,
> > > > > 
> > > > > For a system to be valid, it must work on all numbers 
tested, 
> > not 
> > > > just those with certain names and not others 
> > > > > with different names.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Try telling Keith Fitchen that (the author of Aberration, 
the 
> > > most 
> > > > successful mechanical system ever sold ... check out Futures 
> > > Truth).  
> > > > First, Keith will tell you that his wildly successful 
approach 
> > DOES 
> > > > NOT work on equities.  Second, Keith will tell you that he 
only 
> > > > trades a basket of six commodities.  I believe both these 
> > > principles 
> > > > are directly contrary to your opinions about optimizing and 
the 
> > > > selection of issues to be traded.
> > > > > 
> > > > > If a system works on Bonds and not on Beans, this system is 
> > curve 
> > > > fitted over a specific set of data (Bonds) and it loses all 
> > > > statistical validity.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Wrong, wrong, wrong.  If I have an approach that has worked 
> on 
> > > > Bonds for ten years and it doesn't work on beans...BFD.  
Should 
> I 
> > > > abandon a robust approach to trading Bonds...because I can't 
> > > > make "beans" on Beans?   
> > > > > 
> > > > > Beware of drinking other people's bath water and whatever 
you 
> > do, 
> > > > don't drink the Kool Aid .   
> > > > > 
> > > > > Take care,
> > > > > 
> > > > > Steve
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > > >   From: palsanand 
> > > > >   To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> > > > >   Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 9:43 AM
> > > > >   Subject: Objective functions (was RE: [amibroker] Re: 
> > > > Optimization -- again)
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > >   Hi,
> > > > > 
> > > > >   In my mind, curve fitting means either using different 
> > systems 
> > > > for 
> > > > >   different markets, or using different parameters of the 
> same 
> > > > system 
> > > > >   for different markets, and this is not valid technical 
> > analysis.
> > > > > 
> > > > >   Historical testing via computer means feeding a set of 
> > numbers 
> > > > (open, 
> > > > >   ow, close prices), and receiving back an output set of 
> rules 
> > > that 
> > > > >   hopefully will make money trading. The numbers themselves 
> do 
> > > not 
> > > > have 
> > > > >   names, and the computer doesn't recognize the difference 
> > > > >   between 'Beans' or 'Bonds'. For a system to be valid, it 
> must 
> > > > work on 
> > > > >   all numbers tested, not just those with certain names and 
> not 
> > > > others 
> > > > >   with different names.
> > > > > 
> > > > >   If a system works on Bonds and not on Beans, this system 
is 
> > > curve 
> > > > >   fitted over a specific set of data (Bonds) and it loses 
all 
> > > > >   statistical validity. To believe it will work in the 
future 
> > as 
> > > it 
> > > > has 
> > > > >   worked in the past is very dangerous.
> > > > > 
> > > > >   Also, different markets do not have different 
> personalities. 
> > > > Again, 
> > > > >   they are reduced to just being a set of numbers or a 
bunch 
> of 
> > > > >   algorithms. If a channel breakout (or any other) method 
is 
> > > > >   successful, then the same parameter must be used for all 
> the 
> > > > markets, 
> > > > >   for the same reasons as above. You cannot use a 20-day 
> > channel 
> > > in 
> > > > >   Silver and a 40-day channel in Corn, this also falls 
under 
> > the 
> > > > crime 
> > > > >   of curve fitting.
> > > > > 
> > > > >   I therefore take exception to any system, that either 
only 
> > > trades 
> > > > one 
> > > > >   specific market or group of markets, or trades different 
> > > markets 
> > > > >   using different parameters or rules of the same system. 
All 
> > > this 
> > > > >   proves is what has worked best in the past, and this will 
> > > usually 
> > > > not 
> > > > >   continue to work in the future, as there is no 
correlation 
> > > under 
> > > > this 
> > > > >   scenario.
> > > > > 
> > > > >   This is not specifically written to condemn vendors. This 
> is 
> > a 
> > > > >   clarification of my definitions of 'optimizing' 
and 'curve 
> > > > fitting', 
> > > > >   and a warning as to what types of trading systems may be 
> > valid 
> > > > and 
> > > > >   what to stay away from.
> > > > > 
> > > > >   Regards,
> > > > > 
> > > > >   Pal
> > > > >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Merrill" 
> > > <dmerrill@xxxx> 
> > > > >   wrote:
> > > > >   > thanks, I'll check it out if I can find it.
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   > I'm sure I'm ignorant, but how logic or sound trading 
> > > > principles 
> > > > >   can be used
> > > > >   > to set an MA period (for instance) without examination 
of 
> > > past 
> > > > >   history
> > > > >   > escapes me. as does the distinction between using past 
> > > history 
> > > > or
> > > > >   > 'experience' to do that and optimization. as does the 
> > > > justification 
> > > > >   for
> > > > >   > seeing optimizations from one point in time as somehow 
> > > blessed 
> > > > >   above all
> > > > >   > others.
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   > dave
> > > > >   >   I would have to refer you to an article published by 
> > > Futures 
> > > > >   Magazine
> > > > >   >   concerning optimization and its research value in 
> > November 
> > > > 20?? by
> > > > >   >   Kent Calhoun.
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   >   Possibly the only way to do it correctly, is to first 
> > > arrive 
> > > > at a 
> > > > >   set
> > > > >   >   of parameters and algorithm based on logic, 
experience, 
> > or 
> > > > sound
> > > > >   >   trading principals that won't be subject to change. 
> Then 
> > do 
> > > a 
> > > > walk
> > > > >   >   forward with no attempt to improve results via 
> > optimization.
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   >   Regards,
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   >   Pal
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Merrill" 
> > > > <dmerrill@xxxx>
> > > > >   >   wrote:
> > > > >   >   > Pal, couple questions/comments.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   > - are you saying that 30 "occurrences" in any 
system 
> > > > produces 
> > > > >   95%
> > > > >   >   accuracy?
> > > > >   >   > 30 trades? regardless of the market or trading 
system 
> > > rules 
> > > > or 
> > > > >   time
> > > > >   >   frame?
> > > > >   >   > what's the basis for saying this?
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   > - could you explain "select stable parameters with 
an 
> > > > equity 
> > > > >   shift
> > > > >   >   less than
> > > > >   >   > the parameter shift after equity spikes have been 
> > > > eliminated"? I
> > > > >   >   don't
> > > > >   >   > understand what you mean.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   > - just fyi, your last paragraph seems to be trying 
to 
> > > > convince 
> > > > >   me
> > > > >   >   that
> > > > >   >   > optimizing is good, probably in response to my 
> > asking "if 
> > > > you
> > > > >   >   prefer not to
> > > > >   >   > optimize parameters, how do you set them?". I asked 
> > that 
> > > > only
> > > > >   >   because you
> > > > >   >   > said, "I prefer a system to work without 
> optimization", 
> > > > which I
> > > > >   >   thought was
> > > > >   >   > a nice goal, but one I don't understand how to 
> achieve. 
> > > > seems 
> > > > >   that
> > > > >   >   you don't
> > > > >   >   > actually intend to avoid optimization either, since 
> you 
> > > then
> > > > >   >   discuss how you
> > > > >   >   > do it.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   > dave
> > > > >   >   >   There is a correct method to optimize any system 
> that 
> > is
> > > > >   >   >   statistically valid, 30 occurrences with 95% 
> accuracy.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   The key to optimization is to select stable 
> > parameters 
> > > > with an
> > > > >   >   equity
> > > > >   >   >   shift less than the parameter shift after equity 
> > spikes 
> > > > have 
> > > > >   been
> > > > >   >   >   eliminated. This process creates stability for 
> > optimal 
> > > > >   parameters
> > > > >   >   >   shifts within the four technical market phases. 
> > > Parameter 
> > > > >   shift is
> > > > >   >   >   always geometric, but equity shift decline 
relative 
> > to 
> > > > >   unstable
> > > > >   >   >   parameter selection is usually exponential.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   All systems are optimized to some degree. As soon 
> as 
> > a 
> > > > trader
> > > > >   >   chooses
> > > > >   >   >   to enter a trade on the open as opposed to the 
> > > > high/low/close 
> > > > >   of
> > > > >   >   day,
> > > > >   >   >   he has made a decision as to how a system should 
be 
> > > > traded. 
> > > > >   Does
> > > > >   >   he
> > > > >   >   >   know the high/low/close of day entry is better 
than 
> > the 
> > > > next
> > > > >   >   opening
> > > > >   >   >   for an entry? If not why not? A potential 28% 
> > > difference 
> > > > in
> > > > >   >   >   profitability exists for channel system entries 
> > between 
> > > > opens 
> > > > >   and
> > > > >   >   >   closes.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   The purpose of trading is to consistently make 
> money. 
> > > > This is
> > > > >   >   done by
> > > > >   >   >   having the best information available. If a 
trader 
> > does 
> > > > not 
> > > > >   know
> > > > >   >   the
> > > > >   >   >   best entry for his system, what is he trying to 
> > prove? 
> > > > That 
> > > > >   the
> > > > >   >   >   system isn't optimized? To lose money because a 
> > trader 
> > > is
> > > > >   >   ignorant of
> > > > >   >   >   his systen's best parameters is foolish.
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   Regards,
> > > > >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   Pal
> > > > >   >   >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Merrill" 
> > > > >   <dmerrill@xxxx>
> > > > >   >   >   wrote:
> > > > >   >   >   > one question pal: if you prefer not to optimize 
> > > > parameters, 
> > > > >   how
> > > > >   >   do
> > > > >   >   >   you set
> > > > >   >   >   > them? or do you have some kind of trading rules 
> > that 
> > > > don't 
> > > > >   have
> > > > >   >   time
> > > > >   >   >   > constants, trigger levels, etc, that need to be 
> set?
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   > dave
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   I thought I might throw in my 2 cents.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   Vendors love optimization, because it can 
> > generate 
> > > > eye 
> > > > >   popping
> > > > >   >   >   >   hypothetical profits which has no connection 
to 
> > > real-
> > > > time
> > > > >   >   trading.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   I prefer a system to work without 
optimization. 
> > But 
> > > > if I 
> > > > >   have
> > > > >   >   to
> > > > >   >   >   do
> > > > >   >   >   >   it, I would make sure that the optimization 
is 
> > > robust 
> > > > in 
> > > > >   the
> > > > >   >   >   >   following manner:
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   1. The sample size of data should be large 
> enough 
> > > to 
> > > > >   represent
> > > > >   >   >   real-
> > > > >   >   >   >   time market conditions - bull, bear and 
> sideways 
> > > > markets.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   2. The look-back period should be as large as 
> > > > possible 
> > > > >   for the
> > > > >   >   >   same
> > > > >   >   >   >   reasons.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   3. The testing of optimizable parameters 
should 
> > be 
> > > on 
> > > > out 
> > > > >   of
> > > > >   >   >   sample
> > > > >   >   >   >   data using walk-forward analysis.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   4. The Central Limit Theorem says that for a 
> > sample 
> > > > to 
> > > > >   assume
> > > > >   >   the
> > > > >   >   >   >   characteristics of the population, the size 
of 
> > > sample 
> > > > >   should
> > > > >   >   be
> > > > >   >   >   >   large. The minimum sample size should be 
around 
> > 30. 
> > > > But 
> > > > >   since
> > > > >   >   an
> > > > >   >   >   >   uptrend or downtrend can last for say 50 
> periods, 
> > I 
> > > > would
> > > > >   >   have a
> > > > >   >   >   >   minimum sample size of 100 periods making 
sure 
> > that 
> > > > the 
> > > > >   full
> > > > >   >   >   market
> > > > >   >   >   >   cycle is there (uptrend, downtrend and 
> > congestion).
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   5. The optimizable parameters should be as 
few 
> as 
> > > > >   possible and
> > > > >   >   >   tested
> > > > >   >   >   >   in a wide variety of markets.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   Curve-fitting is like rolling a fair dice 
with 
> 1/6
> > > > >   >   probability of
> > > > >   >   >   >   getting any number from 1 to 6, rolling it 5 
> > times, 
> > > > >   getting
> > > > >   >   #6, 4
> > > > >   >   >   out
> > > > >   >   >   >   of 5 times (80%) of time.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   A lot of traders fall in the trap of curve-
> > fitting 
> > > > without
> > > > >   >   being
> > > > >   >   >   >   aware of it. So when designing a system, it 
is 
> > > > important 
> > > > >   to
> > > > >   >   keep
> > > > >   >   >   your
> > > > >   >   >   >   guard up as far as curve-fitting is concerned.
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   Regards,
> > > > >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   Pal
> > > > >   >   >   >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Gary A. 
> > > > Serkhoshian"
> > > > >   >   >   >   <serkhoshian777@xxxx> wrote:
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Fred,
> > > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Could you narrow-down your idea of a 
> reasonable 
> > > > sample 
> > > > >   size
> > > > >   >   for
> > > > >   >   >   >   backtests.  You've been hinting at rather 
> > sizeable 
> > > > >   backtesting
> > > > >   >   >   >   periods, but would like to put some numbers 
to 
> > it.  
> > > > Also
> > > > >   >   wonder if
> > > > >   >   >   >   you use # of trades as a guide versus period 
of 
> > > time 
> > > > for
> > > > >   >   >   backtesting
> > > > >   >   >   >   period.
> > > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Thanks,
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Gary
> > > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Fred <fctonetti@xxxx> wrote:
> > > > >   >   >   >   > There are a lot of questions and 
provacative 
> > > > statements 
> > > > >   in
> > > > >   >   your
> > > > >   >   >   >   post,
> > > > >   >   >   >   > only one of which from my perspective needs 
an
> > > > >   >   answer/response.
> > > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Market behavior will continually change 
after 
> > > > that ...
> > > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > Change ? from what ? into what ? I guess 
this 
> > is 
> > > > the 
> > > > >   part I
> > > > >   >   >   don't
> > > > >   >   >   >   > follow.  To me there is nothing new in 
market 
> > > > behavior 
> > > > >   now
> > > > >   >   that
> > > > >   >   >   >   > didn't exist last month, last year, last 
> > decade, 
> > > > last
> > > > >   >   century,
> > > > >   >   >   but
> > > > >   >   >   >   > clearly those that take a short sighted 
view 
> of 
> > > > history 
> > > > >   and
> > > > >   >   the
> > > > >   >   >   >   > market action that made up that history 
will 
> > > > clearly 
> > > > >   never
> > > > >   >   see
> > > > >   >   >   it.
> > > > >   >   >   >   > It's a forest and trees thing ...
> > > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave 
> Merrill"
> > > > >   >   <dmerrill@xxxx>
> > > > >   >   >   >   > wrote:
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > I'm not trying to be argumentative, 
honest 
> (:-
> > > > )... I'm
> > > > >   >   more
> > > > >   >   >   than
> > > > >   >   >   >   a
> > > > >   >   >   >   > little
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > sick of saying the same thing over and 
> over, 
> > > but 
> > > > I  j 
> > > > >   u s
> > > > >   >   t
> > > > >   >   >   d o
> > > > >   >   >   >   > n ' t   g
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > e t   i t .
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > ------------------------------
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > I fail to see the huge difference in 
> > principle 
> > > > between
> > > > >   >   equity
> > > > >   >   >   >   > feedback and
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > backtesting.
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > let's start by assuming that backtesting 
> > > > performance 
> > > > >   of a
> > > > >   >   >   system
> > > > >   >   >   >   > and its
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > parameters over some period of past data 
> > tells 
> > > you
> > > > >   >   something
> > > > >   >   >   >   about
> > > > >   >   >   >   > its
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > future performance. it's not a perfect 
> > > predictor, 
> > > > but
> > > > >   >   it's the
> > > > >   >   >   >   best
> > > > >   >   >   >   > evidence
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > we have. does this seem like a reasonable 
> > > > starting 
> > > > >   point?
> > > > >   >   what
> > > > >   >   >   >   > alternative
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > is there?
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > if that's true, why is it better to do it 
> > only 
> > > > once? 
> > > > >   what
> > > > >   >   >   >   > justification is
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > there for picking one examination period 
> over 
> > > > another?
> > > > >   >   clearly
> > > > >   >   >   >   > market
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > behavior will change continually after 
> that. 
> > > > don't we
> > > > >   >   need a
> > > > >   >   >   way
> > > > >   >   >   >   of
> > > > >   >   >   >   > working
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > that looks at what's been happening and 
> > evolves 
> > > > our
> > > > >   >   response?
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > sounds like we examine performance up to 
> some 
> > > > point 
> > > > >   and
> > > > >   >   >   adjust,
> > > > >   >   >   >   > trade with
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > the best-choice system and parameters for 
a 
> > > > while, 
> > > > >   then
> > > > >   >   >   examine
> > > > >   >   >   >   and
> > > > >   >   >   >   > adjust
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > again later. make sense? what alternative 
> is 
> > > > there?
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > so then, how often do we re-examine 
> > performance 
> > > > >   history?
> > > > >   >   to
> > > > >   >   >   put it
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > differently, how long do we ignore any 
> > changes 
> > > in 
> > > > >   market
> > > > >   >   >   dynamics
> > > > >   >   >   >   > that may
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > or may not have occurred? why would 
> > > intermittently
> > > > >   >   refusing to
> > > > >   >   >   >   look
> > > > >   >   >   >   > and
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > respond improve system performance or 
> > > reliability?
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > if that needs to be done, why not have 
the 
> > > system 
> > > > >   itself
> > > > >   >   do
> > > > >   >   >   it,
> > > > >   >   >   >   as
> > > > >   >   >   >   > part of
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > its inherent operation? why is it better 
> for 
> > us 
> > > > as an
> > > > >   >   outside
> > > > >   >   >   >   agent
> > > > >   >   >   >   > to
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > periodically run some separate tests, 
reach 
> > > into 
> > > > the
> > > > >   >   >   internals of
> > > > >   >   >   >   > the
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > system, and change stuff?
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > or should we just continue with the 
system 
> > and 
> > > > >   parameters
> > > > >   >   we
> > > > >   >   >   >   choose
> > > > >   >   >   >   > at the
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > beginning? are they somehow more valid 
than 
> > > what 
> > > > we'd
> > > > >   >   choose
> > > > >   >   >   >   later,
> > > > >   >   >   >   > using
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > the same backtesting methods, but on a 
> > > different 
> > > > date
> > > > >   >   range of
> > > > >   >   >   >   data?
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > ------------------------------
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > I realize that even if it seems to make 
> sense 
> > > > >   logically,
> > > > >   >   this
> > > > >   >   >   all
> > > > >   >   >   >   a
> > > > >   >   >   >   > complete
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > crock if no systems put together like 
this 
> > even 
> > > > >   backtest
> > > > >   >   well,
> > > > >   >   >   >   > never mind
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > forward testing.
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > but every time I think about abandoning 
> this 
> > > line 
> > > > of
> > > > >   >   >   research, it
> > > > >   >   >   >   > seems like
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > the first thing I'd want to do with a new 
> > > system 
> > > > >   would be
> > > > >   >   >   (let me
> > > > >   >   >   >   > guess),
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > test and possibly adjust it using data up 
> to 
> > > some 
> > > > >   date,
> > > > >   >   then
> > > > >   >   >   run
> > > > >   >   >   >   > with it for
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > a while after that and see if equity 
growth 
> > is 
> > > > good. 
> > > > >   if
> > > > >   >   it is,
> > > > >   >   >   >   I'd
> > > > >   >   >   >   > want to
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > lather, rinse and repeat with other in 
and 
> > out 
> > > of 
> > > > >   sample
> > > > >   >   >   data, to
> > > > >   >   >   >   > make sure
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > that wasn't coincidence.
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > sounds way too familiar to be a 
completely 
> > > > different
> > > > >   >   animal.
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > > dave
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >   From: Fred [mailto:fctonetti@x...]
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >   That IS what I was trying to say.  I 
> > suspect 
> > > > because
> > > > >   >   equity
> > > > >   >   >   >   feed
> > > > >   >   >   >   > back
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >   is like looking in a rear view mirror, 
> > great 
> > > for
> > > > >   >   letting us
> > > > >   >   >   know
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >   where we were and how we could have 
> > adjusted 
> > > > the 
> > > > >   past to
> > > > >   >   >   make it
> > > > >   >   >   >   > >   better, but that's about it.
> > > > >   > 
> > > > >   > 
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