Professional Documents
Culture Documents
March 24, 2011
Now that the Anvil migration is completed, we hope that you are becoming more and more comfortable
navigating your way around the Lightspeed Trader platform. Many of you have provided some excellent
suggestions for further enhancing the platform. The Lightspeed Development Team is working hard
right now to complete certain development projects in the pipeline already and have a real busy Spring
and Summer planned.
That said, there are some recent updates and/or clarifications and user tips that we’d like to take this
opportunity to share with you. We would also like to share with you an updated FAQ, with supporting
screenshots. We’ve updated it with questions that traders just like yourself who have recently migrated
from the Anvil platform, so we hope it is helpful to you.
VPN (Remote Platform) Upgrades
Lightspeed has recently made several enhancements to the VPN and SSL platforms, including additional
efforts to improve load balancing and upgrading hardware and software components. Many of you may
have already noticed an improvement, and if you are still experiencing issues with your remote
connection, please let us know. Our support professionals can assist in troubleshooting and may be able
to give you some tips for some follow up discussions you may need to have on your end with your ISP
provider to make sure you’re utilizing the optimal connectivity needed to trade.
Lightspeed is pleased to continue providing no‐charge access to our remote trading platforms.
Lightspeed’s Scanner Update
Lightspeed is delighted to announce that we are in the midst of completing the first rounds of
implementing the beta versions of the Lightspeed Scanner (Lightscan) to a trading group with multiple
locations. Through improved data channelization and the use of a second trader ID, we will keep
moving forward with the beta‐testing mode we’re in and then continue rolling Lightscan out, initially to
offices with direct connectivity. At a later date, we’ll provide an update on when the Lightspeed active
remote trader community can participate in evaluating and improving our new scanning application.
We appreciate the assistance from our many talented traders and valued clients, as your insightful
suggestions have enabled us to incorporate dynamic market scanning/filtering directly into the
Lightspeed trading platforms. With your ongoing feedback and our commitment to providing the
Ultimate in Unfair Advantages, Lightscan will continue to improve.
Subscription costs and 2nd trader ID application request details will be furnished in a follow up trader
update.
Lightspeed Trading | 1
Remote Platform Functionality In The Works
We’re taking steps over the coming weeks to extend some of the newer features of Lightspeed to the
remote platform as well. Examples include making more imbalances data and quote conditions
accessible on the remote servers as well as new user interaction buttons and additional screen color
customization features. We’ll alert the remote trading community as these features are made
accessible to the remote servers.
Overall System Stabilization Measures
Lightspeed understands the criticality of making sure the overall system is stable and reliable. Since
adding the Anvil traders, Lightspeed has been pursuing a number of related initiatives, including
upgrading lines with the market centers, our data center and the Internet providers Lightspeed uses, as
well as a multi faceted approach to ensure loads are balanced effectively.
Short Sale Rule Revisions Are Impacting Certain Orders, FYI’s and Visual Symbols Explained
A couple of weeks ago, a new facet of the short sale rule revisions (originally adopted some time ago,
but with a delayed effective date) went into effect. Bottom line, when a stock subject to the rules
declines 10 % or more from where it closed (regular hours) on the previous day, a circuit breaker goes
into effect, prohibiting short sales for the day the circuit breaker becomes effective and ‐‐‐‐ FOR THE
NEXT DAY AS WELL.
There’s more detail to it, but that’s the gist. Traders will know when a Circuit Breaker condition is in
effect via the symbol, in the quote window. On the subject of shorting, when you see the following
symbols, here’s what they mean:
= the stock is denoted as Easy To Borrow
= the stock is designated as hard to borrow
= the stock is a threshold security and may have certain restrictions applicable to shorting it
Distribution Lists & Trader Updates
Lightspeed is forging ahead with plans to compile e‐mail distribution lists, that in certain situations we
may be able to use to improve how we convey timely updates and new developments. If you’re
interested please send us an e‐mail <insert a more appropriate e‐mail address at Lightspeed> to let us
know that you’d like to be on them. We’ll provide more details at a later date.
Venue Pass Throughs
As you know, the various market centers adjust their pricing regularly. Lightspeed passes through such
expenses, and the Lightspeed Trade Support Desk can assist you in understanding how certain routing
strategies might impact execution costs. For those who wish to reference what the applicable rates are
at any given point in time, here’s a link to that page on the Lightspeed web site:
Lightspeed Trading | 2
http://www.lightspeed.com/?page_id=5061&from=5091
New FAQ Including Anvil Traders Questions Available
We have updated the Lightspeed Trader FAQ to include several good questions from recently migrated
Anvil traders. We encourage you to review it and share your comments. We encourage you to contact
the Lightspeed Trade Desk with your follow up questions and suggestions.
You can find a copy of the updated FAQ here.
Recognia Analytics
As you may already be aware, a few months ago, Lightspeed made available, via the Spotlight
component of the Lightspeed web site, some real useful analytical tools powered by award winning
software provided through Recognia. As a value added benefit to being part of the Lightspeed trading
community, Lightspeed is providing access to Recognia’s tools at no charge. If you’d like to view a brief
webinar tutorial, please refer to: http://www.lightspeed.com/index.php?page_id=8387
Here’s an industry publication article that provides more detail.
http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222900573
If you’d like more information on how you can utilize these tools, please call the Trade Desk at 1 – 888‐
577 – 3123 or e‐mail us at Tradedesk@lightspeed.com .
Additional Lightspeed Services Available
In addition to providing active traders with the ultimate in unfair advantages via the Lightspeed Trader
platform, we also remain focused on providing traders with access to services that may be of interest to
you. You can find more details in the accompanying FAQ, but in addition to the aforementioned
Recognia tools, as a Lightspeed customer, you can also avail yourself of:
• The Cup of Joe news reading service (requires a Skype ID and request e‐mail)
• The Weekly Stock Market Update newsletter (which you should be receiving automatically
already, so please advise us if you’re not)
Social Media
We’re also an active participant in social media, where we share additional market commentary and
provide various Lightspeed related updates and timely announcements about Lightspeed events. If
you’re not already, we encourage you to become a fan of Lightspeed, via
http://www.facebook.com/lightspeedtrading
or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lightspeedtrade
Lightspeed Trading | 3
Tier Size Settings
If you wish to use the Numpad to change your share amount increments, please make sure that the
settings noted below are checked off. This tab also features a setting (# 2) that allow you to control how
the Numpad functions when the order pop – up window is opened.
Under Repeating Command, if you set to ‘Reset Key’ (as shown in # 3 below), your pop up order box will
reset each time the same order key is pressed. This has the effect of enabling you to reload the same
order box and updating your price in the order box.
Under Order Pop Up Settings, you may wish to designate the “with alpha key” setting, as this allows you
to change symbols while the order box is visible. (# 4 below). Please contact the Trade Desk should you
have any questions on the Tier Size settings.
Reduced Data Mode – Applicable for Remote Traders
Under the Design Tab (see below) there’s a setting for Reduced Data Mode. If you’re concerned about
the robustness of your Internet connection, this setting may assist you. It essentially limits some of the
duplicitous depth shown in certain scenarios and enables you to stay connected and see the top parts of
certain market data streams from designated venues. You can add more data as you go and as your
Internet connection quality improves.
Thank you.
Lightspeed Trading | 4
Lightspeed Trading | 5