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TekStock
User-Supported Software
If you have received this program from another user and
find it of value, your $35 contribution will be appreciated.
A nice, printed manual will be sent to all contributors and
you will be notified of any updates.
Weston & Muir
Post Office Box 868
Del Mar, CA 92014
Regardless of whether you make a contribution,
you are encouraged to copy this program as described below.
---------------------------------------------
User-supported software is an experiment in distributing
computer programs, based on three principles:
First, that the value and utility of software is best assessed by
the user on his/her own system. Only after using a program can
one really determine whether it serves personal applications,
needs, and tastes.
Second, that the creation of independent personal computer
software can and should be supported by the computing community.
Finally, that copying of programs should be encouraged,
rather than restricted. The ease with which software can be
distributed outside traditional commercial channels reflects the
strength, rather than the weakness, of electronic information.
The user-supported concept:
Anyone may request a copy of a user-supported program by sending
a blank, formatted disk to the program author together with an
addressed, postage-paid return mailer. A copy of the program,
with documentation, will be sent by return mail on the user's disk.
The program carries a notice suggesting a contribution for the
program. Making a contribution is voluntary on the part of the user.
The program may also be ordered by mail for an advance contribution.
Regardless of whether a contribution is made, the user is encouraged
to copy the program for trial use by others on a private, non-
commercial basis. Payment for use is discretionary on the part of
each subsequent user.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
Will the user-supported concept really work?
Up to now, distribution of software has relied either on
restricting access (and charging for the cost of doing so), or
anonymously casting programs into the public domain. The user-
supported concept is a way for the computing community to support
and encourage creative work outside the traditional marketplace.
This is an experiment in economics more than altruism. Free
distribution of software and voluntary payment for its use
eliminates the need for money to be spent on marketing,
advertising, and copy protection schemes. Users can obtain
quality software at reduced cost, while still supporting program
authors. And the most useful programs survive, based purely on
their usefulness.
----------------------------------------------------
*** NOTICE: Users of this program are granted a limited license to
make copies of this program for trial use by others on a private,
non-commercial basis.
This limited license does not include --
1. distributing this program in connection with any other product
2. making the program available for any consideration or 'disk fee'
3. posting the program for public access via telecommunications or
4. distributing the program in modified form.
Please cooperate.
Copyright (c) 1983,1985 Weston & Muir
----------------------------------------------------
Documentation
This limited amount of documentation has been provided to allow you
to get started with TekStock. If you like TekStock and would like
to receive an extensive, type set quality manual, you should consider
sending your contribution. All contributors receive the manual as
well as the latest updates to the program.
This program was originally published and sold by a name publisher
for $99. However, due to a merger acquisition, the surviving
publisher declined to properly market the program.
After three years of development, good reviews, and enthusiastic
users; I decided to release the program under the shareware concept.
I hope you like the program and I encourage you to give it to your
friends.
Steven S. Weston
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
General Introduction
Congratulations on obtaining TekStock to assist you in preparing
stock price charts and analyzing stock price history and trends.
TekStock is easy to use with versatility that allows you to enter
and update stock quotes from your local newspaper, the Dow Jones
News/Retrieval, Warner Computer Systems, or the CompuServe
Information System.
Dow Jones, Warner and CompuServe are widely used on-line reference
databases. They provide a wide range of services, including a stock
quote reference data base, which you can use with TekStock. They
can provide you with the latest stock quote information as well as
historical stock quotes of stocks over a period of time specified
by you.
You access these databases by using a modem and dialing a special
code. Information on subscribing to these services is included here.
Overview Of The Program
TekStock produces high resolution stock price charts that can be
displayed on the screen or quickly reproduced on paper using popular
printers capable of bit graphics. TekStock produces charts showing
daily highs, lows and closings with volume activities. Technical
analysis is also included providing moving averages, volume
indicators, relative strength, and oscillators. The charts are
neatly labeled and ruled for viewing ease.
TekStock can easily be used with more than one data diskette when
your files become large enough for multidisk storage. A hard disk
is also supported, including DOS sub-directories.
The user manual will introduce you to the programs for entering data
manually, producing charts, downloading quotes from CompuServe,
Warner or Dow Jones, and updating your files using downloaded data.
How to use moving averages, indicators and oscillators is covered in
the user manual tutorials on Technical Analysis. TekStock is capable
of integrating stock split adjustments or stock dividends into the
files. This can be done either by ratios or percentages and TekStock
will automatically update the stock quotes previous to the stock
split or stock dividend date.
TekStock can also be used with other compatible application programs.
The tutorials on Exporting Files will instruct you how to store data
to a disk for use with typical spreadsheet programs. A special
tutorial on downloading stock price data is included in the manual.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
Program Capabilities
By using different data disks and/or sub-directories, you can store
quotes for an unlimited number of stocks. Each data disk or
directory may store up to 52 stocks. Each disk or directory
containing stocks is referred to as a portfolio. Up to 550 days
of quote data can be stored for a stock (called a stock quote file).
That is equal to more than two full years of trading days.
Quote data is limited to the following: volume (in hundreds) less
than 9,999,999; high, low and close prices should be less than
9,999,999 and greater than zero. Prices can be manually entered
as fractions (i.e. 20 7/8) or decimals (75.25). A fraction will
be converted to a decimal by the program.
Stock chart displays are scaled using the maximum high and low
quotes. This feature provides the greatest detail possible within
the limits of the screen boundaries. Volume indicators, oscillators,
and moving averages are also scaled. Both axes of the stock chart
are labeled.
What You Will Need
1. An IBM PC, PC/XT, or compatible computer with a minimum of
192K RAM.
2. At least one disk drive. A second floppy or fixed disk drive
is supported on the PC version.
3. DOS operating system: 2.00 or better for the PC version.
Sub-directories are supported.
4. A least one blank, formatted diskette for your data on systems
without a hard disk.
5. An IBM Graphics Adaptor, or equivalent; an RGB monitor or
equivalent.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:
In order to download quotes or print charts, the following equipment
is necessary:
1. An IBM parallel printer port adapter, attachment, or equivalent.
This is needed if you intend to print reports and charts.
2. A parallel interface printer. The following printers are fully
supported for printing the stock charts: C. Itoh 8510 (ProWriter),
NEC 8023, IBM Graphics Printer, Epson MX/RX series with graphics
option, Epson FX series, Okidata with Plug-n-Play, and other
equivalent printers.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
The following color printers are supported for printing color
stock charts: Epson JX.
Important Note: Other printers may be used, but may not be
capable of printing the stock charts.
3. An IBM Asynchronous Serial Port, or equivalent, for modem
communication with on-line databases.
4. A telephone modem (300 or 1200 bps), stand alone or internal.
Additionally, if you wish to download stock price data, you will
need to have an account number and password for CompuServe, Warner
or Dow Jones.
TekStock uses line printer port #1 for printed reports and charts,
and can use serial ports #1 and #2 for modem communications.
Getting Started
Two disks are required to run TekStock: the Program disk, and a
blank floppy disk or hard disk to be used as a data disk. This
data disk is used to save the stock quote data you enter into
TekStock. The data disk must be formatted (so it can be read by
the program) before data can be stored on it.
You always load the Program disk into the computer using disk
Drive A. TekStock checks to see that the proper disk is in the
drive before it performs a disk operation. With two disk drives,
the data disk goes into Drive B or uses Hard Disk Drive C.
Operating the program with one drive involves swapping the program
disk with the data disk. If you forget to do this, the screen will
display a message asking you to put the correct disk into the drive.
Make Working Copies of TekStock
For the next few minutes you will use DOS to format diskettes and
copy files.
Floppy Disk
1. First, format a diskette for TekStock. With your DOS diskette
in Drive A,
ENTER: format b:/s
PRESS [RETURN]
The /s command will copy enough DOS to let you "boot" your
computer with the TekStock diskette.
2. Insert a blank diskette into Drive B. Single floppy system
users will be prompted to swap diskettes.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
3. PRESS [RETURN]
4. After about a minute, you will see "Format Another (Y/N)".
PRESS [N]
5. Remove the diskette from Drive B and label it:
"TekStock / Working Copy".
6. Now you will format a data diskette.
ENTER: format b:
PRESS [RETURN]
7. Insert a second blank diskette into Drive B.
PRESS [RETURN]
8. When you see "Format Another (Y/N)",
PRESS [N]
9. Remove the diskette from Drive B and label it:
"TekStock / Data Disk".
10. Now you'll copy the TekStock program. Remove the DOS diskette
from Drive A and insert the original TekStock program disk into
Drive A.
11. If you have two floppy drives, insert the diskette labeled
"TekStock / Working Copy" into Drive B. If you have a single
drive, wait until you are prompted to swap diskettes in your drive.
12. ENTER: copy a:*.* b:
PRESS [RETURN]
13. It will take a few minutes to copy all of the files. Wait until
the DOS prompt > reappears before continuing.
14. Remove the diskettes from the drives. Store the original
TekStock diskette in a safe place.
Hard Disk
1. First, make a directory for the TekStock programs and data files.
ENTER: md tekstock
PRESS [RETURN]
2. Now change the directory and copy the TekStock programs to the disk.
ENTER: cd tekstock
PRESS [RETURN]
3. Insert the TekStock program diskette into Drive A.
ENTER: copy a:*.*
PRESS [RETURN]
4. Remove the TekStock program diskette from Drive A and store it
in a safe place.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
The Batch File
Every time your computer starts up (boots), it attempts to load
the DOS operating system from the diskette in Drive A (or C on hard
disk systems).
The TEKSTK.BAT file (supplied) must be used to automatically start
TekStock. This batch file automatically loads and runs the printer
driver program, TEKGRAPH.COM.
TEKGRAPH.COM handles the printing of the charts. It must be run
before TekStock so that the printing of the charts will perform
properly. Attempts to substitute GRAPHICS.COM or other print
drivers will not produce TekStock's expanded size charts (but may
work to same degree).
The batch file, TEKSTK.BAT, loads and runs the printer driver and
then starts TekStock.
If you wish to have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file, copy the TEKSTK.BAT file
to a file named AUTOEXEC.BAT. An AUTOEXEC.BAT file will
automatically start TekStock when you "boot" your computer.
Starting TekStock
IBM PC With Floppy Drives
1. Insert the TekStock "working copy" program diskette into Drive A.
2. Insert the data diskette into Drive B.
3. Switch on your machine and enter the date and time when requested.
4. ENTER: tekstk
IBM PC With Hard Disk
1. Switch on your machine and enter the date and time when requested.
2. ENTER: cd \tekstock
3. ENTER: tekstk
Creating A Portfolio
If this is your first run of TekStock, you will have to create a
portfolio file to contain your stock quote data.
The program takes about a minute to load. After the load is
completed, the program will display the following message at the
bottom of the screen:
==Portfolio file not on disk B:==
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
Important Note: Users with a single drive should replace the
TekStock program disk with their data disk when prompted by
the system.
Since this is the very first use of TekStock, there is no
Portfolio File; so one needs to be created.
PRESS [RETURN]
The program will prompt for your choice to create a new portfolio
or to specify a DOS sub-directory.
Those with floppy disks should:
1. PRESS [2] - Create
Those with hard disk should specify the TekStock sub-directory for
their quote data. To do this:
1. PRESS [1] - Reenter
2. The program then displays:
Enter Drive/Directory
>:___________________
3. ENTER: c:\tekstock
PRESS [RETURN]
4. PRESS [2] - Create
Your screen should display the Main Menu.
Study the Main Menu screen. You will see that there are six menu
options. Each option refers to a specific function available from
TekStock.
The first option, 1-Communications is selected if you want to start
the on-line communications program, obtain stock quotes from Dow
Jones, Warner, or CompuServe and save them to the data disk.
The second option, 2-Quote Maintenance is used to update your stock
quote data from the keyboard, or from a quote file downloaded from
CompuServe, Warner or Dow Jones. This option is also used to delete
stock quote data from your portfolio, list stock quote data, or list
the stocks in your portfolio.
The third option, 3-Charting is used to display a graph of a stock
for use in analyzing the trends.
The fourth option, 4-Utility Menu is used to select the Utility
program functions such as exporting files and adjusting for stock
splits.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
The fifth option, 5-Configuration is used to configure, or set up,
TekStock for the type of printer you have, your choice of screen
colors, your passwords and your modem parameters.
The sixth option, 9-End is used to quit TekStock and return to
the A> prompt of the operating system.
Configuration
Configuration to set up or configure TekStock for your computer.
The Configuration Menu has several options. The first option,
Modem Parameters allows you to set up TekStock for your modem
dialing commands, baud rate and communications port.
Modem Parameters
Consult your modem manual, or computer manual if you are unsure
about any of the settings.
Modem parameters can be set by advancing the cursor with the
[RETURN] or the up/down arrow keys to the parameter to be changed.
Then press the [DEL] key to erase the previous entry, enter the new
parameter, and press [RETURN].
For Hayes modems and compatibles, you may not need to change any
modem parameters. TekStock is shipped with modem parameters preset
for a Hayes, 300 bps modem, using the COM1: port.
Other modems may require command codes less than 32 decimal.
Command codes less than 32; except backspace (8), carriage
return (13) and escape (27); must be entered by pressing a
control key combination or using the Alt-numeric-keypad method.
Command codes less than 32 are displayed as highlighted letters.
For example, the command code Ctrl-N is entered by pressing
[CTRL]-[N] and is displayed as a highlighted "N". These codes
can be entered for the Dial Command, Modem Initialize and Carrier
Prompt parameters.
Other modems may require a carriage return (13) within a command
string. You can use the carriage return substitution character, "}",
the right brace. This character will be converted to a carriage
return when it is sent to the modem. A carriage return will be
sent at the end of the command string automatically.
Verify that your Hayes modem configuration switches are set properly.
Other modems may have similar switch settings. Consult your modem
manual. Hayes switches should be set as indicated below
(factory settings):
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
Hayes Modem Configuration Switches
Switch Position Function
------ -------- ---------------------
1 Down DTR true
2 Up English result codes
3 Down Result codes sent
4 Up Echo commands
5 Down No auto-answer
6 Down Carrier detect true
7 Up RJ11 jack
8 Down For 1200 only
The Baud Rate parameter should be set to either 300 or 1200,
depending upon your modem type.
PRESS [DEL] to erase the previous entry, and,
ENTER: 300 or 1200
PRESS [RETURN]
The Communications Port is preset for the computer to use the COM1:
serial port. If your modem is attached to, or uses, the COM2: port,
then enter the value "2". Use the same procedure as for the
Baud Rate.
The Modem Initialize parameter does not need to be entered for
Hayes modems. If your modem requires an initialization command,
enter the appropriate command here. The initialize command is sent
to the modem before any other commands.
Move the cursor to the Dial Command by pressing the [RETURN] key.
The Dial Command is preset for Hayes modems attached to touch-tone
telephone lines. Remember, all Hayes commands must be entered using
capital letters. Consult your modem manual and enter your modem's
Dial Command. The telephone numbers to be dialed will be entered
later.
The Carrier Prompt is the response your modem makes when it has
detected a carrier and completed the telephone connection with the
remote computer. When the Carrier Prompt is received, TekStock will
continue, otherwise, TekStock will terminate the connection after
set period of time.
For Hayes modems, the verbose Carrier Prompt, "CONNECT", is sent to
your computer when this occurs. Consult your modem manual and make
the required changes. Remember, the computer treats lower and upper
case letters as being different (i.e., "CONNECT" is not equal to
"connect").
You can exit the parameter screen at any time:
PRESS [ESC]
Exiting the parameter screen, the program checks the validity of
your entries and displays an error message for any errors detected.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
After pressing [ESC], you will be asked whether the parameters are
okay.
PRESS [RETURN] or [Y] to effect the changes.
Pressing [N]-No will leave the parameters unchanged and display the
Configuration Menu.
You will want to enter the telephone numbers, networks and passwords
you use to access CompuServe (CIS), Dow Jones (DJNR), and Warner (WCS).
You can use any one or all services.
From the Configuration Menu, choose a service by pressing the
appropriate number. Enter the requested information the same way
as you did the modem parameters.
For Dow Jones, the password is sometimes referred to as the
"User ID". For CompuServe, both a User ID and Password must be
entered. For Warner, your password entry consists of your ID Code
and Password (i.e., CATS,PAWS).
After making any changes, press [ESC], okay the changes and return
to the Configuration Menu.
Printers
Your display will present the choices of printers which TekStock
supports for graphics printouts of your charts. The currently
selected printer is also shown.
Select your printer using the same method as you used to enter
your modem parameters.
After selecting your printer you will be returned to the Menu.
Disk/Directory
Option Six, Disk/Directory, allows you to preselect which drive-id
and sub-directory will be used initially by TekStock to load the
Portfolio File when it is started. TekStock is shipped preset to
use Drive B and no sub-directory. If you wish, make changes similar
to the procedure discussed in Loading The Program.
Screen Colors
Option Seven, Screen Colors, allows you to change the screen colors
used by TekStock. Changing screen colors follows a procedure similar
to changing the modem parameters discussed above.
The foreground, background and highlight parameters affect menu
screen and other prompting displays. The palette and palette
intensity parameters affect the stock chart displays.
Any color changes made will not be apparent until after you exit
the Configuration Menu.
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---
Save Configuration
After configuring TekStock, you can save the selected parameters to
disk. This allows TekStock to recall your selected parameters each
time it is started. The parameters are saved by selecting option
Eight, Save Configuration.
If you do not choose to save the parameters you have just changed,
the program will default to the previous parameter settings the next
time you start TekStock.
Parameters are saved in a file named CONFIG.FIL on the TekStock
program disk in Drive A. Parameters can be reset to the originally
shipped values by erasing CONFIG.FIL and re-booting TekStock.
On-line Services Used By TekStock
Three on-line stock quote services were chosen for use with TekStock:
CompuServe Information Service, Dow Jones News/Retrieval, and Warner
Computer Systems. These services were chosen for their wide
availability, ease of use, and low costs.
In order to use any of these services, you must become a subscriber
and obtain a password/account number. Each service offers new users
a starter kit. Some starter kits may be available at computer
stores. If you are unable to obtain a starter kit locally, you
should contact the services directly using the information below:
CompuServe Information Service
5000 Arlington Centre Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43220
(800) 848-8199
(614) 457-0802 in Ohio
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Information Services Group
Post Office Box 300
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(800) 257-5114
(609) 452-1511 in New Jersey
Warner Computer Systems, Inc.
605 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10158
(800) 626-4634
(212) 986-1919 in New York
--- Weston & Muir - P.O. Box 868, Del Mar, CA 92014 ---