" Improvements need to measured in years, not weeks or months for sure. "

It has always been a mystery to me how anyone can use an hourly chart,
with zero understanding of what has taken place over the long run.

Oh well - to each their own, I guess - more $$$ for the big boys to capture.

Many years ago Z told me to "watch the cash market for clues"

As a result of that I track all products in both spot and each car for each product..
That way I can have a one to one comparison and chart both.
I also have all products set on the NYSE trade date - example: the DX
The DX trades on the US holidays, so over time (years) that will add months to a chart,
no way to compare the DX to the E6 (euro)

I also roll ALL products on the change in OI - in the currencies that means the roll
is only a couple of days before LTD - since there is NO FND, and the contract is cash settled.

As you said, and I agree, it's all a giant PIA -- made even worse when your one person
tracking many markets. Gold futures trade 12 months, BUT - only 6 trade months -
so I'll track the trade months, and the spot - 7 items for one product -

Lots of fun, eh ... who ever said this was an easy way to make a buck -- LOL

below is my Daily Range for the FC FX - you can see the roll on Dec 15 -
I use the range [ ( daily Hi less Lo) x the contract value (125,000) = X (notational value) ] in place of volume.

Have a good one

- r