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Text File | 1992-04-05 | 17KB | 396 lines

The Token Street Blues Stock Market Simulation Version 2.0 Production Release A Multiplayer Door Program (c) Copyright 1989-1992 By Glen R. Fredericks All Rights Reserved Latest Versions Available From The Token Ring BBS 201-546-1468 1200-38400bps (HST) 201-478-6448 1200-19200bps (HST) Description ----------- The Token Street Blues is a multi-player stock market simulation door designed to closely mimic and operate like a real stock market. Players compete based on achieving the highest annualized rate of return on their initial $10,000 in play money. Noteworthy aspects of the door include, but are not limited to, the following: - daily maintenance program which leaves nothing for the sysop to do - realistic price fluctuations reflective of probability factors contributed by company news releases and general economic climate - discount broker commission rates on purchase and sale of securities and options - broker messages to inform players of news about their holdings or margin calls or margin sales - news generator which creates news for companies affecting their day to day price performance - general economic new generator which creates news affecting the overall trend of the market - 60 day price history including shares currently outstanding for all issues on the exchange - 60 day price history for the general market including the current market capitalization - current price, 60 day high and low, shares outstanding listing - graphical display of the most recent 15 days price performance for each issue - complete account maintenance and portfolio analysis for all players - a financial newspaper which maintains the most recent 100 news items concerning companies and the general market - margin accounting for all players, including margin calls and automatic sell off after 5 consecutive margin calls - occasional prime rate changes which affects the trend of the market and the interest paid on cash balances and margin debt - player rankings based on annualized return so that a player may start the game at any time - online instructions and command summary - short selling of securities - options trading of calls and puts - exchange report on issues listing activity in a stock Sysop Features -------------- The Token Street Blues has the ability to carry on a CHAT (using the F10 key) with the user while he is inside the door. The F8 key can be used to force a player out of the door and back to the main bbs. The F9 key allows the sysop to toggle the local display screen on and off. This door has been designed to be self-maintaining thereby requiring little if any intervention on the part of the sysop. System Requirements ------------------- The successful operation of this program will require the following: IBM-PC or 100% Compatible Computer PCBoard 14.x Software or BBS Software compatible with PCBoard Door programs. Files Required -------------- The operation of this program requires the presence of the following files: Token Street Door Subdirectory ------------------------------ BRUN30.exe ==> DTR/38400 Patched QB3.0 Run Time Module TSBLUES.exe ==> Executable Program File Ver. x.x TSMAINT.exe ==> Token Street Daily Maintenance Program TSREPORT.exe ==> Token Street Blues Reporter/Editor TSSUBS.exe ==> Token Street Subroutine Library TS.cfg ==> Token Street Configuration File TSSTOCKS.dat ==> Token Street Company Datafile TSTRADER.dat ==> Token Street Player Datafile TSOWNERS.dat ==> Token Street Owners Datafile TSOPTION.dat ==> Token Street Option Datafile TSNEWS.dat ==> Token Street News Datafile TSSMSG.dat ==> Token Street Messages To Sysop TSPMSG.dat ==> Token Street Player Messages TSHELP.doc ==> Token Street Player Instructions TSOPEN ==> Opening Message File (Ascii) TSOPENG ==> Opening Message File (Ansi) TSCLOSE ==> Closing Message File (Ascii) TSCLOSEG ==> Closing Message File (Ansi) PCBoard Files ------------- PCBOARD.sys ==> User file created by PCBoard EVENT.sys ==> Timed Event Batch File The following files should have been included in the distribution archive: TSSETUP.exe <-- Token Street Initialization Program TSBLUES.exe <-- Executable Program File Version x.x TSMAINT.exe <-- Token Street Daily Maintenance Program TSREPORT.exe <-- Token Street Blues Reporter/Editor TSSUBS.exe <-- Token Street Blues Subroutine Library BRUN30.exe <-- DTR/38400 Patched QB3.0 Run Time Module TS1.cfg <-- Sample Configuration File Node 1 TS2.cfg <-- Sample Configuration File Node 2 TSBLUES.doc <-- Sysop Documentation TSHELP.doc <-- Token Street Player Instructions TSBLUES <-- Sample DOOR batch file TSSETUP.ini <-- Token Street Initialization Datafile TSOPENG <-- Ansi Welcome Screen TSOPEN <-- Ascii Welcome Screen TSCLOSEG <-- Ansi Closing Screen TSCLOSE <-- Ascii Closing Screen README.doc <-- Read this before doing anything OPTIONS.exe has been provided for those currently running The Token Street Blues Door so that reinitialization is not needed. Options.exe will create the datafile necessary for options trading. You must either run options.exe OR reinitialize to use this version of The Token Street Blues Door. Initialization -------------- The Token Street Blues data files must be created and initialized prior to operation of the door. The program TSSETUP.exe and a sample data file TSSETUP.ini have been provided for this purpose. While in the Token Street subdirectory location and in the presence of the TSSETUP.ini datafile (see note below regarding customization of the Token Street exchange companies) execute the program TSSETUP.exe. Supply the password for entry into the editor and let the program run (a few minutes). After completing the setup, both the TSSETUP.ini and TSSETUP.exe files may be removed. You should run TSMAINT immediately after initializing. Customization ------------- The file TSSETUP.ini contains the company ticker symbol and name and the initial prices for all the issues on the exchange. You may have up to 250 companies listed, however, you may want to start out with only 15-25 and add companies as the market volume grows. Use the format in the supplied TSSETUP.ini if you choose to customize at this time. Program Operation ----------------- The file TS.cfg must contain the following information as a minimum for proper program operation: Registration# --> Place your Token Street Blues registration number here d:\Pcboard.sys --> The complete drive\sub-directory path to the system file PCBOARD.sys BBS Name --> The Name of your BBS System d:\PCB\GEN\blt --> A complete drive\sub-directory\ filename for the top 10 bulletin Do not use an extension! Maximum length is 7 characters! mm --> The number of minutes a user will be allowed in the door. A value of 0 defaults the time to that remaining on the board. A sample configuration file is included to provide help in implementing Token Street. The configuration file may be created with any good text editor such as edlin or many word processing programs. TS.cfg ---------- XX1234 C:\PCB\PCBoard.sys The Token Ring BBS C:\PCB\GEN\BLT19 30 The configuration file must be located in the default directory along with the required files mentioned above. Since the name of the configuration file is not hard coded Into the program, you may name the configuration file anything you desire. However, since this flexibility is built into the software, the name of the configuration file must be passed to the program at the time of invocation from the door batch file used to run the program. Invocation Batch File --------------------- Each door program which runs under PCBoard must have a batch file associated with it which carries out the necessary housekeeping tasks for PCBoard. This file changes directory areas if necessary, invokes the program and passes necessary parameters, and returns the user to PCBoard when the door function is completed. An example invocation batch file is included. TSBLUES ----> Sample Door Batch File ------- echo off cd c:\pcb\tsblues tsblues ts.cfg (use tsx.cfg for multinode cd c:\pcb operation) board Daily Maintenance ----------------- TSMAINT.exe is the daily maintenance program which performs the important tasks of computing stock price movements, generating company specific news releases and recording associated probability factors, sending broker messages and margin calls to players, packing the broker message base, deleting inactive players and generating general economic news. For proper operation of Token Street, this program must be located in the Token Street subdirectory and run at least once per day. It is conveniently run from within the PCBoard event.sys on a daily basis, e.g. EVENT.sys <--- Insert within Event.sys --------- .. cd c:\pcb\tsblues tsmaint c:\pcb\gen\blt19 cd c:\pcb .. The path and filename for the top ten player bulletin is optional and may be included in the TSMAINT command line as shown above. Token Street Editor/Reporter ---------------------------- The editor allows the sysop to add new companies to the exchange, view player records and holdings, view company records and individual holders and view the messages to the sysop. The editor may be entered by the SYSOP from Token Street or you may alternatively set it up as a separate door in the same way that Token Street is configured. Ctty/Watchdog/Carrier Loss -------------------------- Ctty and Watchdog are not required for use of this program. The program contains its own built in communication routines and monitors the com port to insure carrier is present. If carrier should drop for any reason the user is returned to pcboard where appropriate action is taken by the BBS software to log the user off the system. NOTE: The use of watchdog or similar programs which reboot the system may result in the incomplete update of a players record on loss of carrier. Multinode Operation ------------------- PLEASE NOTE: Multinode operation is not currently fully operational. The program is capable of multinode operation. If it is used in a multinode configuration then a separate configuration file must be maintained for each node of the system. If you are running in a network environment also it will be necessary to pass an additional parameter to the program in the door batch file which is used to invoke the program the command line should also contain the /NETWORK parameter. TSBLUES TSx.cfg /NETWORK Where the "x" is the node number the program is running on. The reason for passing this parameter is so that the network file/record locking mechanisms in the program may be activated in order to properly function in a network environment. User Supported Software ----------------------- This version and all previous versions of The Token Street Blues Stock Market Simulation Door are NOT public domain and are (c)copyrighted by Glen R. Fredericks with all rights reserved. It may NOT be distributed for personal gain under any circumstances. The TSBLUExx.zip file in its original form may be copied and distributed thru bulletin board systems provided no fee is charged for its distribution and provided no modifications are made to the program and/or supplementary files contained therein. User Supported Software is a way for you to review a program on a trial basis and test its operation on your system prior to purchasing it. Under this type of distribution system, you are insured that the program meets your needs and requirements prior to purchase and registration. If after a trial period of up to 15 days you find that The Token Street Blues fulfills the needs and requirements of your system, you are REQUIRED to register your copy. If you do not wish to register then you should cease use of the software product. Please note that registration is mandatory and is a condition for continued use for this software. Token Street Blues Program Registration --------------------------------------- Send To: Glen R. Fredericks 109 E. 1st St. Clifton, NJ 07011 Name:_____________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ City:__________________________ State:______ Zip:_________ Phone:____________________ Date:__________________________ BBS Name:_________________________________________________ Sysop's Name:_____________________________________________ BBS Phone:______________________ Copies:_____ @30.00 each. Please enclose a registration fee of $30.00 for each copy to be registered. Upon receipt of your registration form and fee, you will be sent the latest version of The Token Street Blues Door and a unique registration number for each copy ordered identifying your BBS. This registration number and exact BBS name must be placed in each of your configuration files to activate registration. Registered users/owners of The Token Street Blues Stock Market Simulation Door will be notified users of future software releases and/or enhancements and to provide software support. Registered owners will be authorized on-line access to the Token Ring BBS Sysop's Conference with subscription access privileges. Miscellaneous - Please Read --------------------------- If you have any problems, bug reports or questions concerning the use of this program, please contact me at The Token Ring BBS at 201-546-1468 (24 hours a day/7 days a week). I would greatly appreciate hearing from you with suggestions for improvements or other comments. This will greatly assist me in the continued support and development of the Token Street Blues door. I thank you for your cooperation and hope that you and your callers enjoy the excitment of simulated stock market trading. The latest version of this software can always be obtained from within the The Token Ring BBS Sysop's Conference. Glen R. Fredericks The Token Ring BBS 109 E. 1st St. 201-546-1468 Clifton, NJ 07011 24 Hours PCPable In extreme circumstances, you may contact me by voice at one of the following numbers: 201-365-8568 (weekdays) 201-340-1186 (all other) Disclaimer ---------- This software is provided on an "As Is" basis without warranty either implied or expressed of any kind. Glen R. Fredericks, the author and sole owner of this software, takes no responsibility for loss of data or damage to equipment thru the use of this software. Should the software prove defective the entire burden of any and all repairs and replacements and/or data restoration rests with the user. In no event will the author be liable for any costs and/or losses either tangible or intangible arising from the use of this software.