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╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.01 : INDEX ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The RSA/2 Stock Analysis documentation consists of 2 files: File 1 - README.DOC : Installation Information ---------------------------------------------- 1.01 Index 1.02 Installation 1.03 Operation 1.04 Files on Distribution Diskette 1.05 Start List File 1.06 Parameter File 1.07 Table File 1.08 Notes File 1.09 Earnings File 1.10 Hardware Requirements 1.11 Shareware and Registered Version 1.12 Technical Support 1.13 Stock Update Procedure 1.14 Script Generation 1.15 Disclaimer 1.16 Trademark References File 2 - FAQ.DOC : Frequently Asked Questions ------------------------------------------------ ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.02 : INSTALLATION ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ INSTALLATION The INSTALL.BAT file is used to install RSA/2. Option is available for a basic or advanced installation method. Advanced method is recommended for users tracking over 100 stocks. The default installation loads RSA/2 into directory C:\RSA2. 1) Type INSTALL to begin installation: INSTALL 2) Customize start list file for your system configuration. See section 1.05 for description of start list parameters. 3) Change current directory : CD C:\RSA2 4) Execute RSA.BAT file to start program : RSA ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.03 : OPERATION ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The RSA/2 program is usually started with a BAT file such as "RSA.BAT" which contains data such as "RSA2 START.RSA". This starts the RSA2.EXE program which must be in the current directory (such as \RSA2) or in a directory in the current DOS path. The RSA.BAT file must also be in the current directory or in a directory in the current DOS path. The START.RSA parameter file defines the start list parameter file to be used. Several .BAT files may be created which reference different start list files. The start list file defines RSA/2 parameters which are not frequently changed. Parameters which change frequently such as the current date are maintained by RSA/2 in the PARMS.RSA file. One reason for defining multiple start list files is to divide your total stock list into separate sectors. Each start list may reference a different modified stock master list "BASENAME". The BASENAME file can be created by manually editing to add new stocks or it can be created by following DOS commands: DIR C:\RSA2\DATA\*.DAT > UNSORTED SORT < UNSORTED > BASENAME The technical analysis function definitions are in file "TABLE.RSA". Most analysis function parameters such as moving average time periods can be modified from the MODIFY FUNCTION window. However the shareware version does not allow saving of these changes. The registered version will save all changes in file "TABLE.RSA". RSA/2 uses a virtual memory technique for loading the stock data files into computer memory. The number of stocks in the stock cache is defined in a start list parameter. This allows for fast charting of successive stock symbols with less disk access and without use of expanded or extended memory. Support for expanded memory is also available and requires EMS memory as follows: Stock Cache Size = 130 ===> 215K EMS memory needed Stock Cache Size = 260 ===> 430K EMS memory needed Stock Cache Size = 520 ===> 860K EMS memory needed Stock Cache Size =1040 ===> 1720K EMS memory needed RSA/2 can be operated using the keyboard or mouse. Each text window is formatted using listboxes, scroll bars, and pushbuttons. The TAB key along with the cursor arrow keys (or mouse cursor) are used to select window objects. The ENTER key (or mouse button 1) is then used to activate the selected option. The ESC key (or mouse button 2) is used to exit the current window. Mouse button 3 is not used. If the 64-color start list option is selected, then colors for each text screen window can be customized by hitting the F5 function key. The color changes are automatically saved in the "C03.RSA" color defintion file. A help window is available from most of the text screen windows by hitting the F4 function key. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.04 : FILES ON DISTRIBUTION DISKETTES ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The distribution diskette(s) contain the following files: README.DOC - This documentation file. FAQ.DOC - Frequently asked questions with answers. REGISTER.DOC - Shareware registration form. RSA2.EXE - RSA/2 Stock Analysis program. RSA2UP.EXE - RSA/2 Automated Updater program. RSA.BAT - RSA/2 startup BAT file. START.RSA - Start list parameters file. PARMS.RSA - Parameter file. TABLE.RSA - Table definition file. C01.RSA - Color definition file (monochrome). C02.RSA - Color definition file (16 color). C03.RSA - Color definition file (64 color). RSAHELP.MSG - Help messages (Do not modify). RSAHELP.NDX - Help message index (Do not modify). ASP.LZH - Sample scripts for script generation. BAT.LZH - Additional BAT files for advanced install. DATA.LZH - Sample stock data files. NOTES.LZH - Sample note files for notes feature. LHARC.EXE - File unarchive program. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.05 : START LIST FILE ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The start list file "START.RSA" contains the following parameters. Parameters #01, #02, #21, #22, and #23 may need to be modified to match your system configuration. Other parameters should not be modified until you become more familiar with RSA/2 operation. Parameter Default Value Description --------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- #01 \RSA2\BASENAME Stock Symbol Master List (Can be in any directory) #02 \RSA2\DATA\ Stock Data File Directory (Must end with "\") #03 \RSA2\PARMS.RSA Parameter File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #04 \RSA2\TABLE.RSA Table Function Definitions (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #05 \RSA2\LOG.RSA Error Log File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #06 \RSA2\EPS.RSA Earnings File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #07 \RSA2\NOTES\ Notes Directory (Must end with "\") #08 \RSA2\RSAHELP.MSG Help Messages File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #09 \RSA2\RSAHELP.NDX Help Messages Index (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #10 Not Used #11 \RSA2\C01.RSA Monochrome Color File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #12 \RSA2\C02.RSA 16-color Color File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #13 \RSA2\C03.RSA 64-color Color File (Usually in \RSA2 directory) #14-#19 Not Used #20 RSA Data File Format (RSA,TC2000,META,PRO) #21 LPT1 Printer Port (LPT1/LPT2) #22 EGA Graphics Mode (VGA/EGA/CGA/HERCULES) #23 64 Graph Colors (64/16/2) #24 65 Stock File Cache Size (65/52/26/13/5 if #25=NO) (1040/520/260/130 if #25=YES) #25 NO Expanded Memory (YES/NO) #26 60 Maximum Tables (10 to 100) #27 20 Maximum Table Columns (10 to 28) #28 30 #Stocks in Stock Index (0 to maximum symbols) #29 30 #Stocks in RSI Calculations (0 to maximum symbols) #30 YES Display Date Window at Start (YES/NO) ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.06 : PARAMETER FILE ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The parameter file "PARMS.RSA" contains the following data: - Date of last stock file update day. - First Monday date for current, previous, and next year. - Leap year indicator for current, previous, and next year. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.07 : TABLE FILE ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The table file "TABLE.RSA" contains the following table function definitions. Most parameters can be modified from the MODIFY FUNCTION window option. However the shareware version will not save the modifications to disk. The registered version allows for saving all parameter changes and definitions of new analysis functions in the disk file "TABLE.RSA". Price Moving Averages - This table defines a graph of the daily close price with a 30 and 200 day moving average of the close price. A buy signal is generated when the close price crosses above the moving average line. A sell signal is generated when the close price crosses below the moving average line. Long term investors should use a longer term moving average and short term traders a shorter moving average. Moving Average Oscillator - This table defines a moving average oscillator obtained by subtracting a longer moving average from a shorter moving average. A buy signal is generated when the moving average oscillator crosses above the zero line. A sell signal is generated when the oscillator crosses below the zero line. Earlier buy and sell signals can be obtained by attempting to "guess" at tops and bottoms for the oscillator based on previous high and low values for the oscillator. MACD Oscillator - The Moving Average Convergence/Divergence function is an indication of overbought or oversold conditions. A difference between two exponentially smoothed moving averages is called the MACD line. An exponentially smoothed moving average of the MACD line is called the signal line. A buy signal is generated when the MACD line crosses above the signal line and a sell signal is generated when the MACD line crosses below the signal line. The MACD Oscillator is obtained by subtracting the signal line from the MACD line. A buy signal is generated when the MACD oscillator crosses above the zero line and a sell signal when it crosses below. Directional Movement - This indicator generates a buy signal when the Positive Directional crosses above the Negative Directional and Directional Movement is increasing. Then a sell signal is generated when the Positive Directional crosses below the Negative Directional or when Directional Movement begins to decline. Williams Variable Accumulation Distribution - This is a volume weighted price momentum indicator which generates a buy signal when WVAD crosses above the zero line and a sell signal when WVAD crosses below the zero line. Price Momentum - This is a price momentum indicator calculated by subtracting the price N-Days ago from the current price. A buy signal is generated when this value crosses above the zero line and a sell signal is generated when this value crosses below the zero line. Price Rate of Change - This is a price momentum indicator calculated by dividing the current price by the price N-Days ago. A buy signal is generated when this value crosses above the 100% line and a sell signal is generated when this value crosses below the 100% line. Wilder RSI - This table defines the Wilder Relative Strength Indicator. This indicator is obtained by dividing the positive price changes over an N-Day period by the total price changes. A sell signal is generated when the indicator value crosses above 0.66 and a buy signal is generated when the indicator is below a 0.33 level. Relative Strength - This table defines a relative strength ratio indicator obtained by dividing the stock price by an index average price. This measures individual stock performance compared to the average performance of all stocks in the stock database. Stocks with above average performance will have an increasing relative strength. Relative Strength vs. Index - This relative strength indicator is calculated by dividing each stock price by the index stock price (Stock #0). This illustrates the performance of the individual stock in comparison to the average performance of the composite stock index. ROC Relative Strength - This relative strength indicator is calculated by dividing the rate of change of each stock price bye the rate of change of the index stock (Stock #0). This illustrates the performance of the individual stock in comparison to the average performance of the stock index. A buy signal is generated whn the indicator crosses above the 100 line from below. A sell signal is generated when the indicator value crosses below the 100 line from above. Commodity Channel Index - This price momentum indicator generates a buy signal when CCI increases crosses above the zero line and then sell when CCI crosses below the zero line. Arms's Ease of Movement - This is a momentum indicator which generates a buy signal when its simple moving average crosses above the zero line and a sell signal when its simple moving average crosses below the zero line. Volume Accumulation Oscillator - This volume momentum indicator generates a buy signl when VAO crosses above its moving average and a sell signal when VAO crosses below its moving average. On Balance Volume - This indicator is a running summation of volume. If the current day's close price is above the previous day's, then the current day's volume is added to the running total. If the close is below the previous day, then the volume is subtracted from the running total. This indicator is commonly used for divergence analysis. If the price moves to a new high and this is not supported by a corresponding higher value for OBV then a sell signal is generated. If the price moves to a new low and OBV does not move lower, then this indicates a possible price bottom and a buy signal is generated. The moving average crossover can also be used with this indicator. Price Volume Trend - This indicator is a variation of the OBV indicator. Instead of adding or subtracting the entire volume, the volume amount used is proportional to the amount of the price change for the current day. This indicator should be interpreted in the same manner as the OBV. Positive Volume Indicator - This indicator is a measure of price action during periods of increasing volume. Increasing volume when prices are rising should be expected. A buy signal is generated when the PVI crosses above its own moving average. The stock should be held as long as PVI is increasing and staying above its moving average. Negative Volume Indicator - This indicator is a measure of price action during periods of decreasing volume. Since price decreases with lower volume is not a negative signal, a decreasing NVI would be common. A rising NVI indicating rising prices on lower volume would indicate unusual activity. Bollinger Bands - This indicator defines a band produced by adding and subtracting two standard deviations. A buy signal is generated when the price crosses above the lower band. A sell signal is generated when the price crosses below the upper band. Moving Average Bands - This table defines a moving average band produced by fixed percentage changes around a 30-Day moving average. A buy signal is generated when the price crosses above the lower band. A sell signal is generated when the price crosses below the upper band. Lane Stochastic - This price momentum indicator generates a buy signal when the Lane Stochastic moving average crosses above the Lane Stochastic slow moving average and a sell signal when it crosses below. Also watch for divergence between the Lane Stochastic and the stock price. Daily Volume - These tables plots daily volume. Price movements are frequently preceded by increases in volume. Price Change Comparison - This table illustrates use of the Price Change function to determine which stocks have performed best or worst in the last N-Day time period. The table display is limited to 260 stocks. Hit TAB to display the next group of 260 stocks or SHIFT-TAB to display the previous group of 260 stocks. Volume Change Comparison - This table illustrates use of the Volume Change function to determine which stocks have the largest increase in volume in the last N-Day time period. The table display is limited to 260 stocks. Hit TAB to display the next group of 260 stocks or SHIFT-TAB to display the previous group of 260 stocks. Price Change Comparison - This table illustrates use of the Price Change function to determine which stocks have performed best in a specified time period. McClellan Oscillator - This function is calculated by subtracting a 39-day exponential moving average of advances minus declines from a 19-day exponential moving average of advances minus declines. An overbought condition is detected by a result above 100 and an oversold condition is detected by a result below -100. McClellan Summation Index - This function is calculated by taking a running summation of the McClellan Oscillator. A buy signal is generation when the function value crosses above the zero line. A sell signal is generated when the value crosses below the zero line. Advance Decline Line - The advance-decline line is cumulative summation of the difference between the number of advancing issues minus the number of declining issues. Advances and declines of the issues in the Relational Stock Analysis database are also available as a function value. Convergence and divergence of this indicator with a price index should be done to interpret signals. Advance Decline Ratio - This function is calculated by dividing the number of advancing issues by the number of declining issues. An overbought condition is signaled when a moving average of the Advance Decline Ratio is above 1.25 and an oversold condition when the value is below 0.75. ARMS Index (TRIN) - This table function computes the TRIN for the RSA/2 stock database. A decreasing chart pattern is bullish and indicates that the up stocks are getting more than their share of volume. An increasing function value is bearish and indicates that the down stocks are getting more than their share of volume. The ARMS Index formula is defined as : TRIN = (Advances/Declines)/(Advancing Volume)/(Declining Volume) Open 10 TRIN & Open 30 TRIN - These functions are variations of the Arms Index which use 10 or 30 day time periods instead of one day time intervals. High readings indicate an oversold condition and low readings indicate an overbought condition. Upside/Downside Ratio - This table function is the ratio of the volume of advancing issues to the volume of declining issues in the RSA/2 stock database. An increasing chart pattern is is bullish indicating buying pressure and a decreasing function value is bearish indicating selling pressure. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.08 : NOTES FILE ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The NOTES directory "\RSA2\NOTES" can be used to store text data for each individual stock in a file such as \RSA2\NOTES\IBM.NOT. The notes text file can be displayed by hitting the F8 key when any graph is displayed. A "NOTES" function type may also be defined in any of the table function files to automatically display the notes file on the screen. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.09 : EARNINGS FILE ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The earnings file "\RSA2\EPS.RSA" is required for use of table functions which use the "EARNINGS" or "PE" function types. The earnings file should be formatted as in the sample EPS.RSA file provided. This file must be manually updated using a text editor. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.10 : HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ RSA/2 Stock Analysis requires 640K of memory, 1 floppy drive (hard drive recommended), graphics card, and monitor. Graphics modes supported include color (VGA, EGA) and monochrome (Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA). ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.11 : SHAREWARE AND REGISTERED VERSIONS ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The shareware version of the RSA/2 Stock Analysis may be copied and distributed to friends. The shareware version may be used free for 30 days. After that you will be required to send a registration fee to DLM Consulting for use of the program. The registration fee will provide you: - Latest release of program with new features and enhancements. - Capability to save table definition file changes to disk file. - Your input and ideas may be included in future releases. - Bulletin board access to utility programs. - Inexpensive upgrades available for future versions. - Printed charts with illustrations of buy/sell signals. The registered version of the RSA/2 Stock Analysis and associated files are licensed software for use by the original owner only and may not be copied or transferred. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.12 : TECHNICAL SUPPORT ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Technical support will be provided to registered users of this program only. Fixes to any reported problems will be made available on the DLM BBS or by mail. The cost of new release diskettes is only $5. The diskette will contain the latest version of the program and data files. Technical support does not include training in the theory and use of technical analysis and a basic understanding of DOS is required for use of this program. A bulletin board is available for sending messages to DLM. The BBS phone number is 214-596-5121 (N/8/1/F). Messages can also be sent to DLM at GEnie mail address "DL.MACE", Prodigy ID "GCNS46A", Compuserve ID "71171,500", or to Internet address "71171.500@compuserve.com. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.13 : STOCK UPDATE PROCEDURE ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Use of an online information system to retrieve stock price and volume data for updating the stock database is recommended. The option of manual update with the stock data window is available. Updates can be performed on a daily basis or for multiple days. Sample script files are provided for both methods. 1) Define script input files in the RSA/2 start list parameters #15, #16, #17. Define script output file in start list parameter #18. 2) Modify script input files to include your password. 3) Start RSA/2 automated updater program RSA2UP.EXE or select UP option from advanced install menu. 4) Select script generation option to generate script file. 5) Use communication program and scipt file to download quotes. 6) Define quote input file in start list parameter #14. 7) Start RSA/2 automated updater program RSA2UP.EXE or select UP option from advanced install menu. A) Use parameters window to increase last day updated value. B) Use automated update window to update the stock data. C) At end of automated update operation, the updated stock files will be written to disk. The parameter file will also be updated to save the date change. Note: An "*" before the start list file name to allow updater to run unattended: RSA2UP *START.LIST ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.14 : SCRIPT GENERATION ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The RSA/2 updater script generation option creates script files for accessing an online information system. The primary use for this option is to create a script file to download daily stock quotes to be used for updating the Stock Database File. The script output file created consists of a copy of the script input file 1 (containing script commands for signon), multiple copies of script file 2 (containing script commands to retrieve a stock quote), and ends with a copy of script input file 3 (containing script commands for signoff). This will allow creation of script files for many communication packages. Examples are supplied on the distribution diskette. The script input and output file names are defined in the RSA/2 start list file START.RSA. The Script Input File 2 can contain the following special values: $$S1 - The $$S1 variable will be replaced with a stock symbol from the Stock File database. The output file created will repeat the contents of script input file 2 for each stock symbol in the stock file database. $$S2 - The $$S2 variable will be replaced with a stock symbol from the Stock File database. This variable is used when a single script command will require multiple stock symbol names. The output file created will repeat the contents of script input file 2 until all stock symbols in the stock file database are used. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.15 : DISCLAIMER ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ In no event whatsoever will DLM Consulting be liable for damages or losses in regard to the usage of this program, data, or documentation. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SECTION 01.16 : TRADEMARK REFERENCES ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ In this manual, references are made to a number of trademarks: Compuserve is a trademark of Compuserve Inc. GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Information Services. METASTOCK is a product of Equis International. PROCOMM is a product of Datastorm Technologies. PRODIGY is a trademark of Prodigy Services Co. TC2000 is a trademark of Worden Brothers, Inc.