Replies to post #23003 on A.I.M. Users Bulletin Board (AIMUSERS)

[ls7550]

Pen, paper and http://www.aim-users.com/calculator.htm is my rec Brian.

Regards. Clive.

[OldAIMGuy]

Hi Brian, Re: AIM Software................

The Excel freebie template will do most of what you want and the price is quite reasonable!!

Also, in the early days when I first started using an electronic spreadsheet, I still logged my trades on 13 column paper with each of the AIM columns filled in. That was because I was always afraid I'd lose the data somehow. Now, with huge hard drives, etc, I still like to keep some form of backup as my "just in case." But, I gave up keeping pencil and paper backups quite a long time ago.

I hope some of the users of the various software packages will chime in.

Best regards, Tom

[Adam]

Hi Brian, On the Aim-users web site there is an AIM spreadsheet that someone posted years ago and it's excellent--has all the machinery of classic AIM and more. I've tried AI and Newport but for most of my AIM I use this spreadsheet (with personal modifications). If you're at all facile with Excel this is a great route and it won't cost you anything.

It also allows you to see the values of the AIM parameters so you call see what's going on, whereas in software packages this is hidden.

Adam

[AIMster]

Since I don't know what I don't know, I was hoping for some actual recommendations from users. What works best? I'd hate to spend 10% or more of what I've set aside to run AIM just looking at various software packages.

Hi, Brian,

One doesn't need fancy software to run AIM. Lichello did all his work using 13 column ledger paper, calculator and pencil - what us more newfangled types would call using a spreadsheet! <grin>.

That being said, Automatic Investor is the package I use and Mark Hing, the author has done a very good job of giving the end user a lot of control and flexibility in configuring AIM. Also, within AI you can do backtesting and optimizations of settings, among lots of other features. I believe it's almost 1/3rd cheaper than PCA, if you really decide you must have software. Others may be more familiar with PCA and can speak better to the features of that program. Also AI does come with a 10-day trial period so you can kick the tires of it and see if it will work for you before you have to pony up the $$$.

I'd suggest, since it sounds like you'll be starting with a modest beginning (hey, we all did), that you start with a spreadsheet version for now and go a software package route later on once you're more comfortable with AIM in general.

Best,

AIMster