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I've read this whole thread . . . nice to see it kind of come full circle - back to more of a constructive tone. It is very hard to have good "context" when using remote "conversations" via the WEB - so we all need to have a flexible and empathetic attitude when discussing ideas, Pros/Cons, issues, etc.. Good to see that most of us really do want a positive and productive discussion (even if we have to circle around a few times). In addition to your two points above, I'd like to add a third one (with some background): One of the lessons I've learned (and the hard way - as always) is that it is VERY easy to actually get into trades . . . and it is a lot harder to get out of them. This is especially true when things aren't going your way. Most non-professional traders tend to put too much hope and blind optimism into their trades - they don't manage their risk well (getting into and especially getting out of trades). It is easy to be emotionally involved with a trade - and not let it go and move onto the next. Overall trade and risk management is KEY to making money in the equity markets - all of them. I've learned to manage my trades a LOT better due to what I've learned on SO --- and this applies to general stock picks as well as options plays. To me (outside of good entry strategies), it is the most important thing I do. When something isn't working, get out of it, stop doing it, re-group, review your trade logs, seek help, etc.. Don't keep riding a three-legged horse, hoping it turns into a four-legged horse. Also, we have to remind ourselves of the fundamentals --- did we have a good setup/strategy, has anything changed in the overall market or context that requires us to adapt/morph what we do? These last few months have caused me to constantly review/analyze what works FOR ME and what doesn't. In the end, we are all responsible for adapting what we learn on SO to our style of trading - given our time allotments, account size, technology we use, mindset, emotional makeup, etc.. I give @Kim, @Yowster and many others credit for showing their ugly babies, discussing what isn't working - in THIS market and being willing/able to adapt and change. This is key . . . Anyway, too much coffee on a Saturday morning . . . . hope you ALL have a fantastic weekend and a very successful next week in the markets!

The point with paper trading is to understand the strategies, see how a trade evolves day by day, see how the adjustments impact the trades etc... Some people also do very small tracking trades for the same purpose (although some trades can't be setup to use a small allocations). IMO, focusing on paper trade fills vs live fills is missing the point of it.

To everyone else I meant to say in my OP I had 5 winners AND 5 losers for -6.2%. That was in May. Wish we could edit. I don't have a PC just using my Android. I don't feel it proper for me to advertise or even mention by name another service on this forum. Even though the proprietor can be abrasive and rude I still won't stand in his "store" and tell out about the competitors. Kim responds to any form of criticism no matter how diplomatic and polite it is in a way I find to be overkill and harsh. Certainly if someone is being a jerk and making stupid comments they deserve it. But...you tend attack in relentless fashion even to polite comments that aren't attacking SO as much s just expressing what they've experienced. That's why I decided to not be as diplomatic in this response.