home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Magnum One
/
Magnum One (Mid-American Digital) (Disc Manufacturing).iso
/
d10
/
pros15.arc
/
PROS15.EXE
/
PROSTOCK.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-04-07
|
46KB
|
1,043 lines
▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▄ ▒▒▄
▒▒█▀▒▒█ ▒▒█▀▒▒█ ▒▒█▀▒▒█ ▒▒█▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▒▒█▀▀▀ ▒▒█▀▒▒█ ▒▒█▀▀▀▀ ▒▒█ ▒▒█▀
▒▒▒▒▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒█▀
▒▒█▀▀▀▀ ▒▒█▒▒█▀ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▀▀▀▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█▀▒▒█
▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒█ ▒▒█
▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀
by Philippe Rabergeau (*P* ID:WNWB44A)
Copyright (c) 1990,1991 by Gateway Software, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Documentation by Barbara Bowman (*P* ID:MVFS60B)
Documentation Release 3
Download Stock Quotes from Prodigy Service
┌─────────┐
┌─────┴───┐ │ (tm)
──│ │o │──────────────────
│ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of
│ │ │─┘ Shareware
└───│ o │ Professionals
──────│ ║ │────────────────────
└────╨────┘ MEMBER
PRODIGY is a registered service mark and trademark of Prodigy
Services Company, a partnership of IBM and Sears.
Other product and service names are trademarks and service marks
of their respective owners.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PRO$TOCK SOFTWARE IS SHAREWARE. WHAT DOES THAT MEANS TO YOU. . . . . . . 3
DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT OF PRO$TOCK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
USER DOCUMENTATION
1. PS.BAT
2. PSBOOT.BAT
3. FVIEW.EXE
4. PRO$TOCK.EXE
4.1. Define Your Preference
4.2. Main Menu of PRO$TOCK
4.3. Define Data to Download
4.4. Defining your Personal Stocks List
4.5. Adding a Stock to PRO$TOCK
4.6. Deleting a Stock from PRO$TOCK
4.7. Downloading from the Prodigy Service
4.8. Converting the Data
5. PRO$TSR.EXE
6. PROCVSPD.EXE
7. PROCV123.EXE
8. PROQK40.EXE
ADVANCED USER TIPS
a. Installation of an Upgrade/New Conversion Program
b. Develop your Own Conversion Program
c. Windows 3.0 and PRO$TOCK
INTRODUCTION
First let me thank you for your support, it's you who created this software,
not me. Please, take few minutes to read this introduction to understand the
concept of development of this software.
Simple systems work best: This is the slogan of my biggest commercial
software project: MegaServer, a Complete Interactive Videotex Host System
using the same graphics technology than Prodigy Services (4 man/years of
development).
I have decided to use the same philosophy and the same professionalism for
my shareware products. The human interface of my software is divided into 2
different levels: Beginner and Advanced user.
The beginner level is very simple and intuitive, no real documentation is
needed. The second level is for advanced users who want operate my software
at 100% of its power. Full technical support and complete information is
indispensable at this level. This is the type of service I offer to
Registered users.
The documentation (this Manual on disk that you are now reading) is the most
difficult part of the process of developing a software package.
Some commercial software companies with a huge library of programs represent
their documentation as being perfect and do not provide personalized tech
support. Imagine that every time you wonder how to use the software, or have
a question (or even a problem, which is unlikely) that someone will
instantly respond to your questions and show you the best use and the power
of the software you are using. For a software publisher like Borland, it
would be a little difficult to do provide perfect technical support for all
their products and customers, but it is not impossible to try to employ this
concept.
I am always disappointed when a software publisher or a customer judges my
products by the weight of my documentation and the size of my program.
For me, the most important aspect of any quality software product is
customer or technical support. Even if you publish more than one thousand
pages of documentation, you will always find users who need assistance and
somebody to help them. And THAT is my commitment to registered users!
"Software must not force the user to perform according to the needs of the
software program; it's the user who must CONTROL the software. If a software
package isn't user friendly and easy to understand and custom configure to
your personal needs, throw it away..."
Also, I can't think of a single person who takes the time and effort to
completely read more than one thousand pages of a software manual. I haven't
yet found anyone who has read a complete manual before using the software
in question. And I always receive questions about my products when the
answer can be found on the manual.
"HELP ME! I have BIG trouble trying to use your software"
"There are never problems, but always solution to problems!"
You have 2 major means to resolve your problems:
- DO IT YOURSELF:
If you are an advanced computer user, look at the end of the file
README.DOC. You will find in this file some last minute information about
possible trouble that may occur with some computer hardware configurations.
- USE THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT HOT-LINE:
For personal assistance, you can directly contact the author of this
software:
Using the PRODIGY on-line service: Press [F6] key, type WRITE and press the
[ENTER] key. type WNWB44A (it's my Prodigy ID) and press the [ENTER] key.
You are now ready to describe your problems.
Using MINITEL Network (MSC): Access code: NYN, user ID: PHILIPPE
Using INFOLOOK Gateway (NYNEX/New York): Access code: GO NYN, user ID:
PHILIPPE
Using Compuserve on-line service: User ID is 73567,2755
Using GEnie on-line service: User ID is P.RABERGEAU
Using PC-LINK on-line service: Screen name: Philippe
Via mail: My mailing address is: Philippe Rabergeau
GATEWAY SOFTWARE
61 East 8th Street
Suite 128
New York, NY 10003
By phone: My phone number is: (212) 505-6203
from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. eastern time
Now that you know how to get complete technical support, you don't need more
information! <Grin> Well, most of the time, users ask the same questions and
have the same general needs, therefore, I have decide to create this manual
for those of you who will refer to it.
All this information is accessible from within the software. You will be
able to view this document and other information without exiting back to
DOS, etc. Have fun using this software,
Philippe Rabergeau
PRO$TOCK SOFTWARE IS SHAREWARE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying
it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected
to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request
registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.
With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using
the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the
copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as
stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like
commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both
cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the
method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and
distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group.
For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial
disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find
software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or
Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you
can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low
also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use
the product, you don't pay for it.
Ombudsman Policy:
"This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with
an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP
member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006 or send a
Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536"
DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT OF PRO$TOCK
Users of PRO$TOCK must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "PRO$TOCK is
supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied,
including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of
fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which
may result from the use of PRO$TOCK."
PRO$TOCK is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user
for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not
give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of
"user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality
software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers
to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and
find that you are using PRO$TOCK and continue to use PRO$TOCK after a
reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $29 to
GATEWAY SOFTWARE.
The $29 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer
at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. For
example, this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely
moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no
possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at
another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same
time.
Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Philippe Rabergeau.
Anyone distributing PRO$TOCK for any kind of remuneration must first contact
Philippe Rabergeau at the address below for authorization.
This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized
by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and
such distributors may begin offering PRO$TOCK immediately (However Philippe
Rabergeau must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept
up-to-date with the latest version of PRO$TOCK.
You are encouraged to pass a copy of PRO$TOCK along to your friends for
evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that
they can use it.
When you register a copy of PRO$TOCK, you will receive:
- complete technical support via Prodigy,
- one disk upgrade
- a registration code that removes the Shareware Notice.
I appreciate your support, it has helped me to invest in the latest
technology in order to offer you better products.
To register, please send a registration form (see the file
REGISTER.DOC) and a check or money order for $29 payable to GATEWAY SOFTWARE
and mail to:
Philippe Rabergeau
Pro$tock Registration
GATEWAY SOFTWARE
61 East 8th Street
Suite 128
New York, NY 10003
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
PRO$TOCK is SELF INSTALLING. Simply make sure you are in the drive or
directory where you have unarchived PRO$TOCK and at the DOS command line
type the word INSTALL C: (or D: etc.). All neccesary directories and
sub-directories will be created by the installation program and the Pro$tock
program will automatically configure it self to run with your Prodigy
software.
Pro$tock will AUTOMATICALLY install in drive C:\. If you wish to install in
a drive other than C:\, type the following. The example below is for
installation to drive "D:\"
INSTALL D: (and strike your enter key)
Note: It is important that the word "install" be followed by a "space"
and then the drive letter followed by a colon (no space).
USER DOCUMENTATION
PRO$TOCK is composed of 8 different executable files:
- PS.BAT
- PSBOOT.BAT
- FVIEW.EXE
- PRO$TOCK.EXE
- PRO$TSR.EXE
- PROCVSPD.EXE
- PROCV123.EXE
- PROQK40.EXE
1. PS.BAT
This batch file is the major program that you must use to run all the
PRO$TOCK programs and access the Prodigy Service, in order to download stock
quotes. This batch file was automatically installed in your \PRO$TOCK
directory (normally C:\PRO$TOCK) by the installation program. To start the
program, type:
CD\PRO$TOCK [enter]
PS [enter]
You can also run all the PRO$TOCK programs separately, in order to view and
convert data according to your personal preference.
2. PSBOOT.BAT
This second batch file is a solution to run PRO$TOCK and Prodigy software
with a "clean" AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS file. This file was automatically
installed in your C:\PRO$TOCK directory by the installation program and removes all
TSR (terminate and stay resident) programs from memory and automatically
restores them after you exit PRO$TOCK This batch file is also very useful to
reserve the maximum of memory for PRO$TOCK and Prodigy software, which
require approximately 520K to run together properly.
Other files used by PSBOOT:
- PROREN.BAT
- AUTOEXEC.PRO
- CONFIG.PRO
- REBOOT.COM
3. FVIEW.EXE
This utility was created to replace the DOS TYPE command.
Type FVIEW filename to view any ASCII file.
You will see on the bottom of the screen all the commands that are available.
4. PRO$TOCK.EXE
4.1. Define Your Preferences
The first time you run PRO$TOCK, a screen appears called "Define Your
Preference": This screen appears below:
╒═══════════════════════ Define Your Preference ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ A. Jump Macro ........... | QUOTE CHECK │
│ │
│ │
│ B. Input Path ........... \PRO$TOCK\IN\ │
│ │
│ │
│ C. Output Path .......... \PRO$TOCK\OUT\ │
│ │
│ │
│ D. Conversion Path ...... \PRO$TOCK\CONV\ │
│ │
│ │
│ E. Conversion Program ... Lotus 123 format │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────── 1 of 3 ────────────────────────────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Use [|] and [|] to move the cursor, Hit [Esc] to save and exit │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990,1991 by Gateway Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved. V1.5
- It is not necessary to modify the input and/or output path and/or
conversion path to run the PRO$TOCK program.
- Select the conversion program (format) to convert the stock quotes
you have downloaded into. (Lotus 123, spreadsheet, Quicken 4.0 etc).
It is also possible to convert the stock quotes from the DOS command
line into a different format.
- Jump Macro (A) is correct for the access to PRODIGY QUOTE CHECK as of
04/08/91. If for some reason, you find that Prodigy has changed the
screen(s) PRO$TOCK may not operate properly. Please write to WNWB44A
for instructions on changing the Jump Macro if necessary. Please do
not change this macro to "experiment".
Use your page down key to go to the second page of the Define Your
Preference menu.
╒═══════════════════════ Define Your Preference ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ │
│ A. Download Time .......................... - 6 00 PM │
│ │
│ B. Name output file by date ............... Yes │
│ │
│ C. Keyboard Macro after Stock download: │
│ │
│ \6market up\r\6\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\c\6exit\r\r │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────── 2 of 3 ────────────────────────────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Use [|] and [|] to move the cursor, Hit [Esc] to save and exit │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990,1991 by Gateway Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved. V1.5
- Define the download time (If you select to download in the unattended
mode you must select a time for this function to be automatically
performed). You must leave your computer turned on and on this menu.
Important Note: PRO$TOCK will write over (and thereby erase) downloaded
information if you do NOT specify item D." Name output file by date" as YES.
If you intend to "track" the performance of your investments, it is
necessary to select YES.
- Keyboard macro after stock download
This allows you to customize PRO$TOCK to your personal tastes. Because the
PRO$TOCK program prints to a file on your hard disk, any PRODIGY print
command will, in fact, print information to your hard disk. PRO$TOCK merges
any such information in one file with your downloaded stock quotes. The
default MACRO installed by PRO$TOCK simply takes you to the MARKET UPDATE
page; you will have to issue MANUAL commands from this point onwards and
exit PRODIGY manually. A second example MACRO is shown above. This example
prints the MARKET UP info to your hard disk and then exits PRODIGY.
MACRO KEYSTROKES:
Following is a table of MACRO keystrokes that PRO$TOCK accepts. Please note
that this information is accessible within setup on this page in the macro
editor by striking the "\" key. (Please be sure to backspace over any
information entered in error.) PRO$TOCK allows you 73 keystrokes for this
macro; you must manually move to the second and third line. (The program
will automatically tie all lines together).
╒══════════════════════════════ Help ═══════════════════════════════════╕
│ \1 - F1 function key \u - Page Up \t - Tab │
│ \. - F. function key \d - Page Down \s - Shift Tab │
│ \6 - F6 function key \i - Insert \a - Up Arrow │
│ \9 - F9 function key \x - Delete \n - Down Arrow │
│ \0 - F10 function key \h - Home \l - Left Arrow │
│ \b - Backspace \e - End \g - Right Arrow │
│ \r - Enter key \c - Escape \\ - Character \ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Use your page down key to go to the third page of the Define Your Preference
menu.
╒═══════════════════════ Define Your Preference ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ │
│ A. Prodigy ID ............................. | YOURID │
│ │
│ │
│ B. Password ............................... yourpwd │
│ │
│ │
│ C. Registration Code ...................... yourregistercode │
│ │
│ │
│ D. Exit PRO$TOCK after download ........... Yes │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────── 3 of 3 ────────────────────────────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Use [|] and [|] to move the cursor, Hit [Esc] to save and exit │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990,1991 by Gateway Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved. V1.5
- Enter your Prodigy ID
- Your Prodigy password
- Your registration code if you have one.
- Select Yes or No. Yes exits the program to DOS; No allows you to stay in
the PRO$TOCK program and view the information downloaded. Advanced users may
wish to select YES in order to interface with charting programs, etc.
Press Escape key to save this preference and go to the main menu of PRO$TOCK.
You can access any time "define your preference" by pressing the function
key F9 from the main menu of PRO$TOCK, should you wish to make changes.
4.2. Main Menu of PRO$TOCK
╒═══════════╕ ╒═══════════════════════════════════════════╕ ╒═══════════╕
│ 11/05/90 │ │ --== PRO$TOCK: The Downloader ==-- │ │ 8:43:40 AM│
└───────────┘ └───────────────────────────────────────────┘ └───────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════════════════╕
│ │
│> F1. Define Data To Download <│
│ F2. Download From Prodigy Services │
│ F3. Download In Unattended Mode │
│ F4. Browse the Data Downloaded │
│ F5. Convert the Data Downloaded │
│ F9. Define Your Preference │
│ F10. View Documentation │
│ Esc. Quit This Program │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Use [|] and [|] to move the cursor, Hit [Enter] to confirm a selection │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990 1991 by Philippe Rabergeau. All Rights Reserved.
In the Main Menu, Press [F1] to define the data to download:
4.3. Define Data to Download
PRO$TOCK enables you to specify nine (9) separate, individual sets of data
to download from the Prodigy Service. After you have selected [F1] from the
Main Menu, you are prompted to enter a number 1 - 9. To view the sample data
that has been set up to assist you in the set up process, enter the number
9. (The sample data can be deleted at a later date, if you wish). To begin
setting up your own stocks, etc. strike the number 1.
╒═══════════╕ ╒═══════════════════════════════════════════╕ ╒═══════════╕
│ 11/05/90 │ │ --== PRO$TOCK: The Downloader ==-- │ │ 8:43:43 AM│
└───────────┘ └───────────────────────────────────────────┘ └───────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ ╒══════════════════════════════════════╕ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ Enter a Number between 1 and 9 │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────┘
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Use [|] and [|] to move the cursor, Hit [Enter] to confirm a selection │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990 1991 by Philippe Rabergeau. All Rights Reserved.
4.4. Defining your Personal Stocks List
To add a stock (bond, etc.) strike your "insert" key, and a dialogue box
will appear on the Define Data to Download screen. A sample of this screen
appears below:
╒══════════════════════ Define Data To Download #1 ═════════════════════════╕
│ │
│> BMY ST Briston Myers Squibb <│
│ CCE ST coca cola enterprise │
│ CHA ST Champion International Corp. │
│ FPC ST florida progress corp │
│ GE ST general electric │
│ GS ST Gillette Co. │
│ HM ST homestake mining │
│ IBM ST International Business Machines │
│ JNJ ST johnson & johnson │
│ KMG ST Kerr McGee Corp. │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 1 of 2 ───┘
│ │
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Hit [Insert] key to add new data Use [PgDn] [PgUp] [Home] [End] │
│ Hit [Delete] key to delete data and [|] [|] to move the cursor │
│ Hit [Enter ] key to modify data │
│ Hit [Escape] key to return to Main Menu │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990 1991 by Philippe Rabergeau. All Rights Reserved.
4.5. Adding a Stock to PRO$TOCK
To add a stock to the program, use your arrow keys to move the cursor to the
appropriate line and type the following data as example:
Stock Symbol..... HWP
Security Type.... Stocks
Name............. HEWLETT PACKARD
Press [ESC] to confirm and exit then [Insert] to add another value.
Stock Symbol Security Type Name
IBM Stock INTL BUSINESS MACHINES
DEC Stock DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORP.
AAPL Stock APPLE COMPUTER
Press [ESC] to return to main menu, after you have finished inserting stocks
you wish to follow.
A Sample screen appears below showing the insertion menu:
╒════════════════════════ Define Data To Download ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ APL ST Apple Computers │
│ IBM ST International Business Machines │
│ CCE ST coca cola enterprise │
│ DEC Digital Equipment Corporation │
│ FPC ST florida progress corp │
│ GE ST general electric │
│ HM ST homestake mining │
│ │
│ JNJ ST johnson & johnson │
│ KMG ST king minerals │
│ │
╒════════════════════════ Insertion of a New data ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ Stock Symbol ........ HWP │
│ │
│ Security Type ....... Stocks │
│ │
│ Name .. Hewlett Packard │
│ │
└─────────────────────────── Press [ESC] to exit ───────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990 1991 by Philippe Rabergeau. All Rights Reserved.
4.6. Deleting a Stock from PRO$TOCK
To Delete a stock, use the arrow keys to position the cursor on the stock
you wish to delete as shown below:
╒════════════════════════ Define Data To Download ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│> HWP ST Hewlett Packard <│
│ LAC ST lac minerals │
│ PDG ST placer dome │
│ SB ST salamon bros. │
│ TX ST texaco │
│ UNP ST union pacific │
│ XON ST exxon corp │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 2 of 2 ───┘
│ │
╒═══════════════════════════════ Help ══════════════════════════════════╕
│ Hit [Insert] key to add new data Use [PgDn] [PgUp] [Home] [End] │
│ Hit [Delete] key to delete data [] [] to move the cursor │
│ Hit [Enter ] key to modify data │
│ Hit [Escape] key to return to Main Menu │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990 1991 by Philippe Rabergeau. All Rights Reserved.
A Dialogue box will appear asking you to confirm you wish to delete the
stock you have selected. Strike your Enter key to confirm the deletion and
return to the main menu by pressing your escape key. The sample delete
dialogue box appears on the screen below:
╒════════════════════════ Define Data To Download ══════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ BMY ST Briston Myers Squibb │
│ CCE ST coca cola enterprise │
│ CHA ST chambers │
│ FPC ST florida progress corp │
│ GE ST general electric │
│ GS ST gillette │
│ HM ST homestake mining │
│ HWP ST Hewlett Packard │
│ IBM ST International Business Machines │
│ JNJ ST johnson & johnson │
│ │
╒══════════════════════════ Delete this data!!! ════════════════════════════╕
│ │
│ Stock Symbol ........ HWP │
│ │
│ Security Type ....... Stocks │
│ │
│ Name .. Hewlett Packard │
│ │
└─────────────────────── Press [Enter] to confirm ──────────────────────────┘
Copyright (C) 1990 1991 by Philippe Rabergeau. All Rights Reserved.
Strike your enter key to delete; a dialogue box will appear asking you to
confirm the deletion to insure you do not inadvertantly delete data.
4.7.
Downloading from the Prodigy Service
Select F2 from the opening menu to run the Pro$tock Program
Now to download, press [F2] from the main menu and [ENTER]. PRO$TOCK will
run PRO$TSR and the Prodigy software: the stock quotes are automatically
downloaded and you will return directly to the PRO$TOCK main menu.
To browse the data downloaded, press [F4].
The following screen will appear:
╒══════════════════════ \PRO$TOCK\OUT\*.* ═══════════════════════╕
│ P1901105.ASC P1901106.ASC PRODIGY1.ASC PRODIGY1.DOW │
│ ..\ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Use your up/down/left/right arrow keys to move the cursor and highlight the
file you wish to view and strike your ENTER key.
This will automatically activate FVIEW.EXE and you will be able to view the
data. Within FVIEW, you also will be able to print out a hard copy of the
information on your screen. All FVIEW commands are shown at the bottom of
the screen.
In the example above, the file PRODIGY1.DOW is the file that is created from
each download and is saved in the Prodigy format. The file PRODIGY1.ASC is
the current PRODIGY1.ASC converted to ascii.
These files are created each and every time you download stock quotes from
the Prodigy Service. These files are written over each time you download a
quote. To keep a running set of files, you must specify the "name file by
date" option when you define your preference and select a conversion program
other than "NONE" on the define your preference menu.
4.8. Converting the
Data
If you have specified a conversion option on the "Define Your Preference
Menu", PRO$TOCK automatically converts the data to your specified format
each time you download from the Prodigy Service. You can "view" the ASCII
format from within PRO$TOCK. From the above screen, position your cursor on
"..\" and strike your enter key. The following screen will appear.
╒════════════════════════ \PRO$TOCK\*.* ═════════════════════════╕
│ FVIEW.EXE PRODIR.EXE PRODIR.LST README.BAT │
│ README.DOC BIN\ CONV\ DOC\ │
│ IN\ OUT\ SRC\ SYS\ │
│ ..\ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If you now position the cursor on "CONV\" and strike your enter key, you
will see the directory listing of any files saved in the automatic
conversion program. You will be able to position your cursor on ASCII format
files (the file extension will be .ASC), strike your enter key, and you will
be able to view the file.
PRO$TOCK automatic conversion to Lotus 123 format
If you specified this format on the "DEFINE YOUR PREFERENCES" menu, files
will be saved in the \CONV directory with the extension .WK1; these files
can be imported into Lotus 123 and any other program which can import Lotus
123 files.
Following is a sample Lotus 123 file, imported into Quattro Pro:
File Edit Style Graph Print Database Tools Options Window
A1:
A B C D E F G H
1 BMY 11/07/90 61 60.625 60.875 1761
2 CCE 11/07/90 14 13.875 14 144
3 CHA 11/07/90 24.25 23.75 23.75 491
4 FPC 11/07/90 38.5 38.25 38.25 537
5 GE 11/07/90 53.5 53 53.125 4337
6 GS 11/07/90 59.875 59.25 59.25 496
7 HM 11/07/90 18.75 18.5 18.625 284
8 IBM 11/07/90 108.25 107.375 107.5 4075
9 JNJ 11/07/90 66.5 65.875 66 1426
10 KMG 11/07/90 46.25 46.25 46.25 313
11 KVN 11/07/90 3.875 3.75 3.75 21
12 LAC 11/07/90 7.625 7.625 7.625 137
13 PDG 11/07/90 15.125 15 15.125 558
14 SB 11/07/90 24.5 24.125 24.125 458
15 TX 11/07/90 58.75 58.25 58.375 1089
16 UNP 11/07/90 66.25 66 66.125 258
17 XON 11/07/90 49.25 49 49 2859
18
19
20
-■▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
P1901107.WK1 [1] 07-Nov-90 01:40 PM NUM READY
Conversion to Spreadsheet format (comma delimited)
The same principal, as demonstrated above with conversion to Lotus 123
format applies. When you select spreadsheet format and define the file name
by date in Define Your Preference, a file with the extension .SPD is created
in the \CONV subdirectory of PRO$TOCK. You can import this into programs
that "read and import" comma delimited files".
Conversion to Quicken 4.0 format
When you select the Quicken conversion format, PRO$TOCK creates a *.qkn file
each day you download from the Prodigy Service. This file is importable into
Quicken and will update your stock portfolio. After opening the Quicken
program, open the portfolio account you wish to update. Select F6
(Activities); then select 1. Update Prices. The Update Prices screen
appears. Select F2 (Acct/Print), 4. Import. You must then type the full
path and file name. You can easily check the file name (and make a note of
it) before you exit PRO$TOCK. To import data saved in the QUICKEN 4.0 format
from April 5, 1991, the full path to be entered would be:
C:\PRO$TOCK|CONV\P1910405.QKN
then, hit [enter] and prices will be updated.
5. PRO$TSR.EXE
This is the TSR program run by PRO$TOCK to download Stock Quotes.
6. PROCVSPD.EXE
If you wish to run a conversion program from DOS, you may type at the DOS prompt:
\PRO$TOCK\PROCVSTD input_file output_file
If you do not define an argument (parameter), the default values are:
input_file PRODIGY.ASC
Output_file PRODIGY.SPD
7. PROCV123.EXE
This program converts Prodigy format stock quotes into Lotus 123 format.
From DOS, type:
\PRO$TOCK\PROCV123 input_file output_file
If you do not define an argument (parameter), the default values are:
input_file Prodigy.ASC
Output_file PRODIGY.WK1
ADVANCED USER TIPS
a. Installation of an Upgrade/New Conversion Program
As PRO$TOCK develops, additional Conversion Programs not included with your
actual version may become available that work with your personal STOCK
EXCHANGE program. Following are instructions to install the new module in
the PRO$TOCK environment:
First, copy the program (PROCVNEW.EXE) into the directory \PRO$TOCK,
then with an ASCII text editor, edit the file \PRO$TOCK\PROCV.LST
You will see three lines:
Spreadsheet~format PROCVSPD
Lotus~123~format PROCV123
Quicken~4.0~format PROQKN40
Add this fourth line:
NEW~format PROCVNEW
Important Notes: The tilde character (~) is critical. It will be
replaced by a space by PRO$TOCK. You will be able to add up to nine (9)
different conversion programs and the description must not be more than
20 characters. The file name PROCVNEW.EXE as used above is used as a
sample file name; the actual file name will vary.
b. Develop your Own Conversion Program
Feel free to use the C source code PROCVSTD.C as an example to build
your own conversion program, and please inform the author of PRO$TOCK of
any conversion programs you develop as many non-programmers who use
PRO$TOCK may be interested in receiving your conversion program.
If you are not a programmer (a normal person) and would like a
conversion program specifically configured to work with your stock
exchange program or your needs, it is possible that if you supply the
author with complete technical information about your portfolio software
that a specialized program can be developed for you. (REGISTERED USERS
ONLY).
c. Windows 3.0 and PRO$TOCK
You can add PRO$TOCK to the Program Manager.
Open the group that you want to put PRO$TOCK in.
Select File, New, Program item. Use whatever you want for the
Description. For Command line, enter C:\PRO$TOCK\PS.BAT. Then, Select
properties, change icon, and enter the file name,
C:\PRO$TOCK\PRO$TOCK.ICO
Define a PIF file to run PRO$TOCK in optimum mode (faster keyboard macro).
Thank you for using PRO$TOCK...