Trading the Markets With FOSS Software?

Robert writes "Along with many other techies, I share an interest in the world of finance (bubble-era stock options pulled me in). Unfortunately, as someone with a strong preference for GNU/Linux as my operating system of choice, I have found that software in this area seems quite sparse. For awhile I have made do with Python, R, Gnumeric, Gnucash and a telephone, along with some small utilities I have written myself. What I would like to know is: what FOSS software do you use for financial analysis, trading, system development, and testing in a Un*x environment? Are there programs you would like to see written or ported? Do any brokerages, data providers, or other services provide good support for we the few? And finally, what commercial entities do you know of that are using FOSS software in their operation?"

Comments

Tech people interested in finance = backwards

[TechnicolourSquirrel]

I don't know *any* techies who are interested in the 'world of finance'. In fact, as a group, they tend to hate it with a passion exceeded only by that of artists. But I hear there are a hell of a lot of *financiers* with an interest in the world of *tech*. The confusion is understandable. Update worldview accordingly.

Re:doofus

[joedoc]

In order for it to be socialism, we have to actually get something out of it.

I'm sorry, maybe I missed something during the past 53 years...you actually get something out of socialism? Can you tell me what that might be? I'm running a list of socialist-based political governments, past and present, through my head, and I'm damned if I can come up with one where the citizens genuinely got something. That is, other than a controlling centralized government, restrictions an all economic activity and commerce, and "government services" that frequently fail to meet even minimum standards.

Yes, socialist systems always appear to work well at the outset, but they eventually collapse under their own weight, often under the hidden corruption of the leadership that's supposed to be providing everything for the "people."

I suppose I'll be accused of being a piggish capitalist, but no need for the socialists to get all riled up. You can get free health care in Cuba, the Socialist Worker's Paradise.