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-- MarketCGA (tm) --
Version 2.2r for Registered Users
Version 2.2s limited file Shareware Program
and
-- MarketEGA (tm) --
Version 4.2r for Registered Users
Version 4.2s limited file Shareware Program
Program Documentation
July 1, 1988
F2S Enterprises
P.O. Box 1011
La Porte, TX 77572-1011
Copyright (C) 1987-88 Mike Fox & Roy Cone
All Rights Reserved
P L E A S E N O T E
______________________________________________________
The only difference between MarketCGA and MarketEGA is that the
graphics information is presented in high resolution monochrome
for computers equipped with CGA (color graphic adapters) cards, and
monitors, while the program MarketEGA presents graphics information
in high resolution color for computers equipped with EGA (enhanced
graphics adapters) cards, and monitors. All other aspects of the
programs are identical.
The only difference between the shareware version "s", and the
registered user version "r" is that the shareware versions have
file capabilities limited to 5 stocks or funds per file, while
the commercial registered user's version can have up to 50 stocks
or funds per file.
This documentation is written in terms of MarketEGA, which is the
most popular version. All parts of the documentation apply to all
of the other versions, except in regard to graphics presentation
and the size of the data files.
The program, MarketEGA, Version 4.2s (or the program, MarketCGA,
version 2.2s) are the EVALUATION COPY of the corresponding commercial
program. Both Shareware versions are fully featured, and permits
you on a sampler basis to get a "look and feel" of the actual
commercial version.
The commercial version of MarketEGA, Version 4.2r costs just
$45.00 for a powerful full colored graphics investment software
package. The commercial version of MarketCga, Version 2.2r costs
just $45.00 for a powerful high resolution monochrome graphics
investment software package.
The EVALUATION COPY is being distributed as Shareware by placing
on bulletin boards, and providing copies to Shareware Distribution
dealers through the country. Investing clubs are urged to make
the EVALUATION COPY available to their members.
This SHAREWARE version of MarketEGA or MarketCGA allows the LIMITED
use of up to 5 stocks, mutual funds, or other indices per file. This
is a FULL-WORKING program and not a DEMO stripped-down version of
the program.
The purpose of the 5 stock limitation is to protect the authors'
work and copyright while allowing users to thoroughly "test drive"
every aspect of a powerful and complete investment tracking system.
This minor limitation eliminates the need for the authors to
CRIPPLE the program or provide a simple DEMO, and hopefully will
encourage the satisfied user to register and pay for the program.
Registered users receive a program, MarketEGA vers. 4.2r or MarketCGA
vers. 2.2r that allows the use of up to 50 individual stocks, funds,
or indices PER FILE. All registered users will be fully advised of
future enhancements to the program. Registered users receive other
benefits as discussed in the program documentation.
It is only through the support of our users by payment for the
commercial version of MarketEGA or MarketCGA that makes it possible
for such low cost investing programs. We have kept the price of
registering very low, so that the commercial versions of the program
are well within the budget of even the smallest investor.
The Market family of programs includes.....
MarketCGA for color graphics adapter and monitors
(also, an emulation program is included for
Hercules & compatible graphics cards).
MarketEGA for enhanced graphics adapter and monitors
In addition, work is being finalized and the program is being
tested for.....
MarketFON a communications package for downloading
stock and fund data via telephone through
your modem to directly update data files.
--- CONTENTS ---
i. Copyright
ii. Commercial - NON Shareware distribution
iii. Warranty
1. This Is MarketEGA
1-1 What is MarketEGA
1-2 Major Features of MarketEGA, Version 4.2r
1-3 A Little Background...
1-4 Computing System Requirements
1-5 Important Considerations
2. Using This Documentation
2-1 Usage Conventions
2-2 Format And Presentation
2-3 How MarketEGA Works
3. Getting Started
3-1 What To Do First...
3-2 Installation
3-2.1 Single Disk Drive Systems
3-2.2 Dual Disk Drive Systems
3-2.3 Fixed Disk Drive Systems
3-3 A Quick Tour Of MarketEGA
3-3.1 Quick Tour: Print / Sort Data Summaries
3-3.2 Quick Tour: Viewing Graphs
3-3.3 Other Main Menu And Utility Menu Options
4. Main Menu Options
4-1 Update Daily Close For Each Stock Or Fund
4-2 Print / Sort Data Summary Of Stocks Or Funds
4-3 View / Plot Graphs (Or Adjust Indicators)
4-3.1 Indicator Screen
4-3.2 The Relative Strength Index
4-3.3 Cone Group Performance Comparative Index
4-4.4 The Williams' Oscillator
4-4 Data File Utilities
5. The Data File Utility Menu
5-1 Create A New File For Stocks Or Mutual Funds
5-2 Correct The Price Of A Stock Or Fund
5-3 Backup A File Of Stocks Or Funds
5-4 Make Adjustment For Dividend Or Capital Gain
5-5 Add Funds Or Stocks To An Existing File
5-6 Delete Funds Or Stocks From An Existing File
5-7 Return To Main Menu
6. Conclusion
7. The Shareware Distribution Concept
8. Why Should I Register ?
Appendix A
A.1 Automatic Scaling of The Graph On The Y-Axis
A.2 Automatic Spread Of Data On The X-Axis
A.3 The Data For The Fund
A.4 The Index
A.5 Two Moving Averages
A.6 Overbought / Oversold Lines
A.7 Support / Resistance Moving Average Lines
A.8 Moving Average Convergence - Divergence
A.9 Filter Zones
A.10 Printing Out A Graph
Appendix B Special Indicators and Their Usage
B.1 Special Features of MarketEGA, Version 4.2
B.2 Putting Indicators in Perspective
B.3 The Price Plot
B.4 The Relative Strength Index
B.5 The Cone Group Performance Comparative Indicator
B.6 The Williams' Oscillator
B.7 The Trend of the Indicators
B.8 Putting Indicators in Perspective Revisited
Appendix C User-Defined Points and Lines
C.1 Special Line Features of MarketEGA, Version 4.2
C.2 The First Screen: Use of Points and Lines
C.3 The Second (Indicators) Screen: Use of Points and Lines
C.4 Moving the Horizontal and Vertical Lines
C.5 Adjusting the Increment of Horizontal and Vertical Line
Movement
C.6 The Sloping or Diagonal Lines
C.7 Drawing Several Horizontal or Vertical lines
C.8 Line Functions Work on Either Screen
C.9 Placing Buy & Sell Symbols On The Screen
C.10 Those Strange Line Colors
C.11 All Lines And Symbols Appear on the Printout
Appendix D A Word About Commissions
D.1 Rewards to Our Users
D.2 Commissions
D.3 F2S Enterprises
D.4 Thank You For Your Business
Registration Invoice
Copyright
MarketEGA and MarketCGA are a copyright (C) 1987-88 by Mike Fox
and Roy T. Cone. All rights reserved. Registered users of
MarketEGA or MarketCGA are granted a license to make only backup
copies of the registered program. The registered user is in no way
allowed to distribute his/her registered copy (or any other
duplicate) for any other person or organization. Unauthorized
duplication is a violation of federal copyright law. F2S
Enterprises will prosecute any violation of this copyright to
the fullest extent of the law. ALL users (registered and
non-registered) are encouraged to distribute complete and
unmodified copies of MarketEGA version 4.2s (the SHAREWARE
version ONLY) for others to evaluate for a trial period not
to exceed sixty days.
Shareware
As mentioned above, MarketEGA (4.2r) and MarketCGA (2.2r) are
the full commercial version of MarketEGA and MarketCGA. The
registered copies are to be used by any other person or
company other than the registered user. MarketEGA (4.2s) and
MarketCGA (2.2s) are distributed as SHAREWARE (User-Supported
Software). We encourage all users to try the program and
share it with others as long as:
1.) The program is distributed complete and unaltered, along
with this documentation and all related files.
2.) MarketEGA or MarketCGA are not distributed in conjunction
with any other product.
3.) No fee or other consideration is charged for making
copies for others.
Shareware distributors, clubs, or non-profit organizations
may charge a nominal disk duplication fee not to exceed $6.00
after acquiring written approval from F2S Enterprises.
Warranty
F2S Enterprises and/or the authors make no warranty of any
kind, expressed or implied, including the usefulness or
fitness for a particular purpose or application. F2S
Enterprises and/or the authors will not be held liable for
any damage or loss, arising from the use or misuse of the
program. In addition, F2S Enterprises and/or the authors will
not be held liable for any damage to data, property, or other
material assets which may be caused directly or indirectly by
use of the program.
TRADEMARKS, SUCH AS IBM, OR MICROSOFT, AND OTHERS ARE HEREBY
RECOGNIZED AS TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES.
NOTE... If you have MarketCGA, these documents also apply in
all features, except the graphical presentation.
MarketEGA
-------------------------------------------------
1. THIS IS MarketEGA
1-1. What is MarketEGA
Welcome to MarketEGA(tm), The Stock and Mutual Fund Tracking
System, written for Enhanced Graphics Adaptor (EGA)
presentations for the IBM-type Personal Computers. This
software, together with the computing system having EGA
capability, provides a versatile and extremely powerful tool
for making daily investment decisions, based on recording,
analyzing and plotting closing prices.
IMPORTANT: Use of MarketEGA requires an EGA (Enhanced
Graphics Adapter), and monitor.
MarketEGA is a full featured stock/mutual fund tracking
package with strong graphics capabilities. It is written
especially for the individual investor to display the price
action of individual stocks or mutual funds of a portfolio
with ease. With MarketEGA you can easy create a data base for
up to 50 individual stocks or funds, and up to 130 trading
days (26 weeks) of data can be readily displayed. The user
can develop several different data base files for which each
can be used to store, print, and plot an additional 50 stocks
or funds. In the same manner, historic information for your
assets can be saved covering 26 weeks at a time. Please
remember, the SHAREWARE version - MarketEGA 4.2s allows the
use of 5 individual stocks or funds per file.
MarketEGA is easy to learn and use, and is completely menu
driven so that you do not have to learn complicated
instructions, or syntax in order to run and enjoy the
program. At each step in the program you will be given the
options of how the data is to be presented. After you
instruct the program how YOU WANT the data to be plotted,
MarketEGA will remember the setup mode so to save you time at
each session.
While it is not required that the user have a wealth of
knowledge in using a computer, it is recommended that the
user educate himself/herself in the application of the
indicators and data summaries before making investment
decisions based on interpretations of the data provided as
output in this program.
1-2 Major features of MarketEGA, Version 4.2r
Some of the major features of MarketEGA are:
* MarketEGA is distributed both as Shareware Vers 4.2s, and
and a regular version Vers 4.2r. The Shareware version
is to give you a preview of all of the features, but with
a limit of only 5 funds or stocks. So, if you don't like
the program (very hard to imagine), and don't use it, you
don't have to pay us for it. You get to, "TRY - BEFORE -
YOU - BUY!"
* Perform sophisticated technical analysis on stocks, mutual
funds, commodities, etc. Plots up to 50 individual stocks
or mutual funds per file. Fully menu driven and fully
documented.
* Easy to create new files that can store up to 50 individual
stocks or mutual funds - that's right, PER FILE! (Registered
version). New add-a-fund, and delete-a-fund features included.
* Each file can maintain 130 days (26 weeks) of closing
prices for each individual stock or mutual fund. Easy to keep
current.
* Powerful ZOOM allows you to concentrate in the critical days
for detailed analysis. Automatic scaling of all visual data.
* Easy-to-use Indicators help you separate real trends from the
"zig-zags." Multiple moving averages, Overbought / Oversold,
Universal Indexes, Convergence / Divergence, Relative Strength
Williams Oscillator, Trend Lines, Trading Bands, and our own
CGPCI Index.
* Special line drawing features lets you quickly draw horizonal,
vertical, or sloping lines to show support, and resistance, etc.
* Easily and quickly update the daily closing prices for each
fund in your file. Any prices input made incorrectly can be
easily changed prior to saving the data.
* All stored data loads at once for fast graphing and fast price
comparing. New "Time-Saver Menu" cuts disk access to half.
* Easily correct and modify prices of stocks and funds that have
been previously saved. Make allowances for splits, capital
gains distribution. Add or delete funds or stocks at any
time. Backup up data files from the utilities menu.
* Lighting-fast sorts of tabular information available for
monitoring performance on a percentage basis. Data can be
grouped by your logical order for quick analysis and viewing.
* Graphical data presented on EGA (enhanced graphics adapter)
equipped systems in brilliant colors. An outstanding display.
* Print a visual summary of the data on your screen and your
printer. Daily, weekly, bi-weekly and total percent
changes in price action can be displayed for all stocks or
funds at once, and together for easy comparison.
* Easily correct or modify prices of stocks or funds that
have been previously saved.
* Adjust an entire stock or funds data to reflect changes in
capital gains or dividend payments. This is especially
helpful when analyzing graphs, and is mandatory when
analyzing actual price changes.
* Graph data on any EGA (enhanced graphics adapter) equipped
system, and set a number of technical indicators to
customize your own personal market tracking strategy. The
graphing features are the most powerful aspects of the
MarketEGA package.
* Automatic vertical scaling and horizontal scaling of graphs
to enable "zooming in" on a specific data range.
* Backup your files of data to save for future reference.
This can be done as often as desired (recommended at least
every 130 days), to maintain complete data libraries of
your stock/fund histories.
* Plot graphs on your IBM or Epson (or Epson compatible)
printer.
* Add new stocks or funds to an existing file. Or delete
stocks or funds in which you no longer have an interest.
* A outstanding investment program for only $45.00. The
price has been kept low, so that all investors, even those
on a limited budget can easily afford this powerful software
tool. Don't let the low cost fool you, this is a powerful
full featured program fully equal to programs costing
hundreds of dollars.
* Even more benefits, including support from the authors
available .... (for all registered users)!
1-3 A Little Background...
The authors developed MarketEGA as an outgrowth of the
program "MARKET" written by Michael F. Fox. The beginning
program "MARKET" is popular and found in the download
section of many bulletin boards across the country.
Enhancements to the program have been suggested by many of our
customers and fellow investors. Current coding is a joint
effort of Michael F. Fox working with Roy T. Cone. The original
work has been expanded with additional features to over 1900
lines of code (written in Quickbasic) in the current release.
Both "MarketEGA", and our "sister" program, MarketCGA, for other
monitors provide a simple means of daily tracking up to 50 mutual
funds or stocks, covering a period of time up to 130 trading days
(1/2 year). With any of these programs, it is possible to keep
up with a wide variety of equity, international, and sector funds.
It is easy to compare the recent performance of any of these funds
to help determine where the best opportunities for profit are.
The simplicity of MarketEGA comes from the fact that only one
piece of data information (the closing price) is required for
each stock or fund in the file. While MarketEGA is not
intended to provide professional forecasting of the stock
markets, it will enable the average investor to track a
number of mutual funds or stocks, so to help in the
decision-making process of choosing and switching funds or
stocks.
1-4. Computing System Requirements for MarketEGA
MarketEGA can be used on any IBM-PC or compatible having 640k
memory installed, including: PC, XT, AT, all Personal System
/2 models, plus any of the other machines operating on MS-DOS
2.1 or later versions.
MarketEGA REQUIRES USE OF AN "EGA" COLOR GRAPHICS MONITOR IN
THE SYSTEM FOR PLOTTING THE INFORMATION.
Memory requirements for MarketEGA in the handling 50 stocks
or funds with the 130 trading days of data will require 640K
of available memory. The program is fully operational with
either fixed or diskette drives. Only one drive is required.
However, it is strongly recommended to utilize either two
floppy disk drives, or a hard disk drive due to data storage
requirements. MarketEGA uses only standard DOS and BIOS
system calls.
The data printing and graphics printing modes of MarketEGA
requires an 80 column dot-matrix printer with Epson
compatible graphics capability. A graphics driver is included
with the distribution disk.
For persons that have a CGA card (color graphics adapter)
the authors have written a program.....
MarketCGA for color graphics adapters & monitors
Should you have a monochrome monitor, you can use this program
MarketCGA with a CGA emulator driver program furnished.
1-5. Important considerations
While every effort has been taken by the authors to provide
basic error handling throughout the program, there most
certainly will be some overlooked areas. Therefore, take
your time when first using the program to get accustomed to
using the various options available.
When you first create a new data file of your stock or mutual
funds, you will not be able to use the printing or
graphing options until you have acquired at least ten (10)
days of closing prices. This limitation was included as a
precautionary measure to avoid errors in calculating
percentages, and moving average lines.
2. USING THIS DOCUMENTATION
This document describes the features and functions of
MarketEGA. You do not need a great deal of technical knowledge
to understand and operate MarketEGA. The tutorial section of
this document walks you through every aspect of the program,
from installing it on your fixed disk, to creating your own
data base for your stock and mutual fund holdings. All users
will find MarketEGA easy to understand and operate. The
authors can provide limited support without cost in helping
you get started if you are having trouble. Additional support
is available to Registered Users of this program.
2-1 Usage Conventions
Certain conventions are used in this documentation to insure
consistency and understandability of instructions. These are
listed here.
-- Command symbols used in running MarketEGA are always shown
in brackets < >, example <P>. When you use these commands,
you do not type the brackets, only the symbol itself.
-- Phrases, numbers and words you type in making files and
creating a data-base for you stocks and funds are shown in
quotes " "; example "SP 500". Do not type in the quotes, only
the data they enclose.
-- Dos commands, prompts and similar on-screen information is
shown exactly as they appear; example, the DOS prompt is
shown as C>.
-- When you must enter data you have typed, you will be
instructed, press ENTER. The ENTER key is the large key with
the hooked arrow pointing left. This key is sometimes called
return.
-- This documentation is written specifically for MarketEGA,
but also applies to MarketCGA. The same documentation covers
both the commercial version for registered users, as well as
the shareware versions of the programs.
2-2 Format and Presentations
Sections 3 of the documentation is tutorial in nature. It is
recommended that inexperienced computer users follow them as
they are presented. All procedures should be performed.
2-3 How MarketEGA works
MarketEGA will maintain 130 days of continuous closing prices
of up to 50 mutual funds (or individual stocks, if you
prefer) per FILE. Note that if you are using the trial version
4.2s, only 5 funds can be used. For registered users supplied
with version 4.2r, if you need more files, you can create them
within the program. Just be sure to keep watch on your available
disk space. Making a separate data disk is recommended.
After 130 days, the limit of continuous data will have been
reached. Then a cycle of add-a-day, drop-a-day will begin.
When the closing prices of day 131 have been added to the
file, the closing price of day 2 becomes the closing price of
day 1, while day 1 is removed from the file. This is done to
save data retrieval time, keep the graphs very readable, and
simply because what happened in history 131 days ago is not
as important as what happened yesterday, or last week.
For historical background information, if desired, the
program has the capability of easily creating a backup file
of each series of 130 days (or less) to keep for future
reference or comparisons. Always make backups of your data
disks. It is helpful to keep historical files each 6 months.
MarketEGA allows you to easily update the closing prices of
each fund or stock on a daily basis, or on a weekly basis if
you prefer. This updating takes only a brief few minutes to
keep the data up.
Progress reports in tabular form are available to allow you
to view or print percent gain/loss for one day, five days
(past trading week), and ten days (past two trading weeks).
This data can easily be sorted by any column, and you can
select the viewing of data in the sorted order.
The graphics section of MarketEGA is especially fast and
powerful. The data on each stock of fund is easily graphed
and this pictorial information can be reduced to hard copy on
a printer. The program remembers the graphical parameters
that you specified, so that on the next session with the
program, you can continue your analysis on a uniform basis
and similar presentation. At the same time, you can easily
change the setup at any time to review the information from a
differing point of view.
Each feature in the graphical presentation is written with
the ability to have utmost flexibility to fit the differing
needs of individual investors. There are far too many
individual features for all to be in the "on" position, and
have a meaningful chart on the screen, although it is
possible to do so.
Graphical features of MarketEGA include: Primary and Secondary
Moving Average Lines, Use of any fund as an Index, Full
flexibility on beginning and ending points of graphs,
Over-bought and over-sold lines, Upper and lower channel,
individual moving average lines, Filter zones for reviewing
data for support, and Moving average Convergence-Divergence.
The program has special line drawing features that lets you
draw horizonal, vertical, or sloping lines on either screen.
The use of the vertical line permits you to read the actual
price of the stock or fund on a day-by-day basis.
The data entry and data correction sections of the program,
permit easy up-dating of data. Mistakes in data are easily
seen on the charts, and can be readily corrected from
the data base. In addition, provision is made of adjusting
the price data for distributions or dividends, if desired.
3. GETTING STARTED
3-1 What to do first...
Before you begin the tutorial, make a backup/working copy of
the program diskettes, as you would with any diskette that
contains important information. Store the original in a safe
place. To do this, use the DOS diskcopy command. If you are
unfamiliar with the procedure for making backup disks, please
refer to your DOS manual.
If you downloaded this version of MarketEGA from a Bulletin
Board System (BBS), please read the READTHIS.NOW file that
came with this version for some additional instructions.
Please take a moment to complete the Registration form
provided. If after trying MarketEGA, you decide to adopt the
program for use, sending in this form (and $45.00) will
register you as a user of MarketEGA and help us provide you
with better service, and your own personalized copy of
MarketEGA.
We welcome user comments and suggestions concerning the
software and the documentation. Please write us a note or
use the comment form provided with this documentation to give
us your reactions to this product. All user comments are
carefully considered in our continuing effort to improve the
program and its documentation.
Check the directory on the backup copy you have made for
getting started. There should be the following files shown:
MARKET.BAT (batch file for starting)
MKTEGA42.EXE (main program module - for regist. ver.)
MKTEGA4S.EXE (main program module - shareware ver.)
DFUTILS.EXE (data file utilities - for regist. ver.)
MKTUTILS.EXE (data file utilities - shareware ver.)
SAMPLE.DAT (sample data file for check-out)
MKTSETUP.40 (setup module for graphics)
MKTEGA.DOC (this file)
EGAEPSON.COM (printer driver for graphics)
PRINTDOC.BAT (batch file to print this document)
PRINTFRM.BAT (batch file to print registration form)
READTHIS.NOW (introduction doc.- may be omitted)
BRUN20.EXE (MicroSoft's (C) runtime module)
INVOICE.DOC (registration form - use "PRINTFRM" to
copy on your printer)
3-2 Installation
After you have made a backup copy of the disk and stored the
original in a place for safe keeping, you are ready to
install the program for use.
3-2.1 Single disk drive systems
If you have one floppy disk drive only, you will most likely
have to remove the "sample.dat" file from the disk when you
are ready to create your own custom data files for saving
prices. Because of the size of the MarketEGA program and
accompanying files, there is limited space on a standard 360K
disk. Therefore, we recommend users to have at least two
floppy disk drives, or one floppy drive and a hard disk
drive.
3-2.2 Dual floppy disk drive systems
By having two floppy drives in your pc, you will simply have
to format a second floppy disk to store your data on. When
you first load MarketEGA from drive -A-, you will be asked
which drive will store the data. At this point, place your
blank, formatted disk in drive -B- and respond with "B". If,
however you are just trying the "QUICK TOUR" in section 3-3
that follows, you will not be needing the "B" disk.
3-2.3 Fixed disk systems (with at least one floppy drive)
If your system is equipped with a fixed (hard) disk, you will
want to copy all of the program files in a directory on your
hard disk. To do this, follow the following steps:
1.) At the DOS prompt "C:\>" or "C>" (in the root directory),
enter the command:
C:\>md\market (don't type "C:\>")
Now press the "ENTER" key (This command makes a directory
on your hard disk called "market").
2.) Next, let's go to the "Market" directory and transfer the
MarketEGA program files. Enter the command:
C:\>cd\market (then press "ENTER")
At this point you will be in the "Market" directory.
Place the program disk (the copy of the original you
stored away) in drive -A-, and copy the following
command:
C:\MARKET>copy a:*.* (press "ENTER")
(Your system may not have the "C:\MARKET>" prompt)
3.) After the files have been copied from the program disk to
the "MARKET" directory, remove the program disk from the
disk drive and return to the root directory by entering
the following command:
C:\MARKET>cd\ (press "ENTER")
4.) Finally, you will want to create a batch file that will
allow you to automatically run the MarketEGA program from
the root directory of drive -C-. To do this, enter the
following at the DOS prompt "C:\>":
C:\>copy con market.bat
echo off
cd\market
egaepson
mktega42
cd\
After entering the last line, press "ENTER". Now press the
"F6" key (you should see "^Z"), and then press "ENTER" . From
now on, you will only have to type "MARKET" when the "C:\>"
prompt appears to run MarketEGA. You now also have the option
of storing your data files in -C- drive (in your "MARKET"
directory), or any floppy drive (-A- or -B-).
3-3 A Quick Tour of MarketEGA
Certainly you are anxious to quickly see some graphical
results on your computer so to get an idea of what MarketEGA
can do. The easiest way to do this is to boot up your
computer in the normal way, and place the working back-up
disk into drive A:. In the event that you have not made a
back-up copy of the disk, please do it at this time before
proceeding (If you boot up to drive "C:\>", then substitute
"C" for every "A" that follows).
Type in the following command at the DOS prompt:
A:>"MARKET" ENTER
At this time the computer will clear the screen, load the
graphics printer driver (EGAEPSON.COM), and then load the
main program module (MKTEGA42.EXE). After the initial welcome
screen, you will be asked:
"WHICH DISK DRIVE WILL STORE THE DATA...(A,B,C, OR D)?
Respond..... "A" ENTER
The main menu screen will now appear. This screen lists the
name and version number of the program, shows the copyright
notice retained by the authors, gives the following menu
options:
MarketEGA (vers. 4.2r)
M A I N M E N U
1.) UPDATE DAILY CLOSE FOR EACH STOCK OR FUND
2.) PRINT / SORT DATA SUMMARY OF STOCKS OR FUNDS
3.) VIEW / PRINT GRAPHS (OR ADJUST INDICATORS)
4.) DATA FILE UTILITIES
5.) EXIT TO DOS
At this time pick option 2, either by entering a 2 or by
moving the arrow keys until option 2 is highlighted in
the menu. Now press <ENTER>....
3-3.1 QUICK TOUR - Print / Sort Data Summaries
The next screen gives you a listing of all the files
available on drive A:
Please enter.... "SAMPLE.DAT" Press "ENTER"
At this point the program will search for the file. After
the file is loaded, you will see a vertical column of
fund or stock names, and five more columns of numbers. The
first column lists the individual stocks or funds in the
file (these happen to include mutual funds in the Fidelity
family of funds). The second through fourth columns show the
various percent changes for the previous two weeks, while the
fifth (last column to the right) shows the total percent gain
or loss for the entire data file (the last 130 days of
closing prices). As you can immediately see, this can be
quite a valuable tool in comparing the recent performance of
drawing capabilities for further technical analysis.
At the bottom of the screen is the message:
<S>ort <V>iew again <P>rinter <Q>uit
As you can see, the file will hold some 20 stocks or
funds. For longer listings, the second and third screens
continue to show all the data.
Well, let's sort the funds in order of the "% CHANGE IN 1 DAY."
Touch the <SPACEBAR> the heading "SORT" will appear at the
top of the column. Continue to touch the spacebar until the
word "SORT" is in the "1 DAY" column, and press <ENTER>. The
sorting is quickly done, and the word "DONE" appears at the
top of the column just sorted.
Now is the time to experiment with the sort, and move around and
sort each of the columns and review the results.
The <V>iew Again takes us back to the beginning screen before
the sorts.
The <P>rinter will print this sorted data, along with some
other information to your printer.
(If you answer "Y" to the "Do you wish to print....." message.
The screen will clear and prompt you to enter the date.
Be careful to enter the date WITHOUT COMMAS! As an example,
enter the date "11-22-87" (without the quotes). Now press
"ENTER". Almost immediately you will see The same funds
printed on paper in compressed mode that you viewed on the
screen. As you can see, not only do all of the funds and
percent values fit on a single sheet, but they include the
actual closing prices of each fund for the past ten trading
days.)
But for right now, just press <Q>uit.......
Up pops the "TIME SAVER OPTIONS MENU"
Now the "TIME SAVER OPTIONS MENU" appears. It's called a
time-saver menu, because you can re-print, and re-graph
several times without re-opening the same data file.
T I M E S A V E R O P T I O N S M E N U
(FOR DATA CURRENTLY LOADED)
1.) GRAPH DATA
2.) PRINT / SORT
3.) EDIT TO MAIN MENU
Respond to the question "Option #?" with "1". (Remember,
you can do the same thing with the arrow keys.) This will
take you to the most powerful and exciting part of the program,
especially if you enjoy technical analysis.
You will be asked.....
Do you want to graph the data in sorted order <Y/N>
Respond with "Y"
3-3.2 QUICK TOUR - Viewing Graphs
The CURRENT SETTING FOR GRAPHS screen will now appear. This
tells you how the authors or the previous person has set up
the graphical presentation. The purpose of this screen is to
give you a summary of the full status of each of the features
of the graphical program at a glance. The status of each item
can be turned "on" or "off", and changed to fit your
individual needs. More on customizing the output to fit your
requirements later.
At this time you are probably in a hurry so simply press...
ENTER
This will accept all of the previous settings because of the
fact that the default setting is NO CHANGE to the setup mode.
If the setting of COMPARE A STOCK INDEX (OR FUND) IN
DISPLAY: was set to <YES>, then the next screen you will see
will be a list of the funds or stocks in the file
A:SAMPLE.DAT. Select one of these funds to be used as an
index for constant reference on all funds.
Pick one of them, say DowJones/10 and answer the prompt with
the number of the fund.
WHICH FUND DO YOU WISH TO SELECT FOR AN "INDEX"....
(1,2,3,.ETC.)? "1" ENTER
The computer responds by showing there are 130 days of data
that can be graphed. Please define the starting and ending
days for the graph(s)
SELECT STARTING DAY FOR GRAPH (1-129) "1" <ENTER>
SELECT ENDING DAY FOR GRAPH (2-130) "130" <ENTER>
The defaults on the starting day is day 1, so simply pressing
ENTER will do the same thing as shown above. In like manner,
the default for the ending day is the last day for which data
is available.
Now we get to the final question with the prompt.....
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GRAPH THE "fund's name" FUND? Press <ENTER>
Pressing ENTER is the default to the question. You will note
that there are other choices as well for going forward or
backwards through the data base, of quitting at any time
should you wish to do so. You can experiment with these
later.
EUREKA! the graph of the "fund's name" graph appears in all its
glory. On EGA equipped computers, the graph is in full color.
On CGA equipped computers, the graph is presented in high resolution
monochrome.
To get the next graph, press ENTER
This clears the graph and returns to the question, "WOULD YOU
LIKE THE GRAPH FOR THE 'NEXT FUND'."
Press <ENTER>
The next graph appears. In like manner any of the stocks or
funds in the data base can be viewed. See how easy this is?
Now press <ENTER> again.
Just below the "WOULD YOU LIKE TO GRAPH.....", message are
other possible responses beside pressing "ENTER". Press "N"
(no) a few times and notice that you can skip a number of
funds very quickly. If you accidentally pass a fund that you
wanted to view, simply press "B" (backup) to go back to the
previous graph. Then you may view it by pressing "ENTER" or
"Y". This procedure is very time saving and adds to the
versatility of the program.
To exit the graphing option. simply press <Q> (quit) below
the "WOULD YOU LIKE TO GRAPH....", question, and answer "N"
to the following question. This brings you back to the TIME
SAVER OPTIONS MENU, where you can press "3" if you wish to
return to the MarketEGA MAIN MENU.
In addition, MarketEGA provides a second indicator
screen with 3 fully-adjustable indicators. Also You can draw
lines and place points anywhere on the graphs. Because this
is a test drive, it is suggested that you first refer to
Appendix "B" and "C" prior to using these features.
3-3.3 The Other MAIN MENU and UTILITY MENU options
As you have just seen in this QUICK TOUR, there is quite a
bit of performance in using this program to aid the "AVERAGE"
investor.
Of course, you will want to test this program by
creating your own custom files (MAIN MENU option #4),
which runs the program "DFUTILS.EXE." This is for creating
and servicing the data files.
Below is what the menu for the Data File Utility looks like.
DATA FILE UTILITY MENU
1.) CREATE A NEW FILE FOR STOCKS OR MUTUAL FUNDS
2.) CORRECT THE PRICE OF A STOCK OR FUND
3.) BACKUP A FILE OF STOCKS OR FUNDS
4.) MAKE ADJUSTMENT FOR DIVIDEND OR CAPITAL GAIN
5.) ADD FUNDS OR STOCKS TO AN EXISTING FILE
6.) DELETE FUNDS OR STOCKS FROM AN EXISTING FILE
7.) RETURN TO MAIN MENU
Item 1. "CREATE A NEW FILE"
To make a new file, enter 1 (or move the arrow keys to
highlight 1). You will be given a list of all the files
on the default drive you selected. Pick out a NEW file
name OTHER THAN THOSE SHOWN ON THE SCREEN. You can have
up to eight characters as the file name, and a three
character extent. We like to use the form
FILENAME.DAT
so that all of our data files can easily be recognized.
Once a new file has been entered it is immediately created.
you can then add the data to the file using MAIN MENU option #1)
by using one of the toll-free stock quote services or entering
data from the business section of your local newspaper.
Item 2 "CORRECT A PRICE"
This feature on the utility menu is useful when you
discover that you saved a false quote on a stock or mutual fund,
or a change in price was made (after you saved the data), you
can use this option 2 to correct the price easily.
Item 3 "BACKUP"
Keep in mind that the emphasis of MarketEGA is
to track data of short to medium term (130 days or less).
Therefore you will want to backup your file at least every
130 days (UTILITY MENU option #3) to review previous trends
of a given stock or mutual fund.
Item 4 "DIVIDEND OR CAPITAL GAIN"
Whenever a capital gains distribution or dividend payment
will drop the listed price of the stock or fund, so you will
want to adjust all the data in the file (UTILITY MENU option #4)
to maintain accurate changes in percentages, or strengths /
weaknesses indicated on the graphs.
Item 5 "ADD FUNDS OR STOCKS"
When you desire to add a new stock or fund to your file
(so long as there are under 50 stocks or funds in it), you
will want to use (UTILITY MENU option #5) to add it to your file.
Then go back to UTILITY MENU option #2 to add previously missed
data, and it will work as if you always had it in the file.
The program generates "housetop" data between 1 and 1.5 to fill
the file until the actual data is entered.
Item 6 "DELETE A STOCK OR FUND"
Any fund or stock in which you are no longer interested can
be removed from the data simply by using (UTILITY MENU Option 5).
This is quick and simple and instantly accomplished. One word
of caution is that once the data is gone, it is gone forever!
So be sure that you really do want to delete a stock or fund.
Item 7 "RETURN TO MAIN MENU"
Finally, if you can leave the keyboard for awhile, you can
select MAIN MENU option #11 to exit to DOS. Now finish
reading the rest of this document, then go tell your friends
about MarketEGA!.......
4.0 Main Menu Options
4-1) Update Daily Close For Each Stock Or Fund
To update (add) closing prices to your fund(s) on a daily (or
even weekly) basis, select option "1" from the main menu.
Once again, the program will access the data default drive
and provide you with a directory of files. Should you make an
error in the file specification, an error handling routine
will bring you back to the directory of the files.
Before we continue further, I recommend that your data disk
only contain the files that you usually update. This makes it
easier to find what you are looking for and avoids mixing
executable, batch, and document files with data files. And as
before, keep an eye on disk space to be sure it is enough.
At this point, enter the name of the file you wish to update
exactly as it appears in the directory above, then press
RETURN. Now you'll have to be a little patient while the file
is loading, especially if you've already stored several
months of data in the file.
After the file has been retrieved, the program will prompt
you to enter the closing prices for each fund. As an aid to
you, the program will list the name of each fund (or stock)
and list the last closing price you entered in. If you have
not entered in a price previously, it will list a value of
"0". Now enter the closing price for each fund and press
RETURN after each.
When the last price is entered, you will be offered the
opportunity to change any numbers that you may have entered
incorrectly. If all is well, simply press "Y" for YES, and the
data will be saved to your data disk. If you need to make
changes, answer "N" for NO, and enter the number of the
file to be changed, then re-enter the price when prompted.
Then press RETURN to go back to the main menu.
4-2. Print / Sort Data Summary Of Stocks Or Funds
To view important gain/loss information of the funds in your
files, you should definitely use option "2".
Option 2 is a powerful two-part instruction that allows you
to inspect the performance of your stocks or funds during
five time periods from 1 day's change up to 130 day's change.
Sorting if very fast and accomplished by pressing the <SPACEBAR>
select the column the appropriate column. Continued pressing
of the space bar will move the "SORT" header from one column
to the next. After you pick the proper column for sorting,
simply press <ENTER> and the sorting is quickly accomplished.
The sorted column is marked "DONE" after completion of the sort.
The sorted information can be either printed or graphed as
indicated later.
Printing of sorted data in tabular form.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have fewer than ten (10) days of data,
the option will not be immediately available for use. This is
done to avoid locking-up or aborting the program due to a
DIVISION BY ZERO error.
However, if you'd like to see how the option works, simply
enter the "SAMPLE" file provided with the program. This
option will list five vertical columns on your screen.
The first column will list the names of each fund in the
file.
The second column will list the percent change (gain/loss)
for the first week (of the last two weeks of data).
The third column will list the percent change of the second
(most recent) week.
The fourth column will give a percent change in price for the
last two weeks, and quite useful to short-term traders.
The fifth and last column provides you with a one-day percent
change.
After viewing the data as often as you wish, you may receive
a more detailed hardcopy print of the data (be sure the
printer is turned on first!). The print out will allow you to
examine the actual closing prices of the past ten trading
days, and allow you to make comparisons on how different
funds are performing.
When prompted for the date of the last update, DO NOT USE
COMMAS! You may use any other format, but I recommend
something like this: APRIL-29-87 (or...4-29-87)
4-3 View/Plot Graphs (Or Adjust Indicators)
By selecting option 3, you will be able to enter a file that
has ten or more days of data for graphing on the screen.
After the file is loaded, you will see the "CURRENT SETTINGS
FOR GRAPHS". If the file "MKTSETUP.40" is missing from the
program disk (or active directory on your hard disk), the
program will cease to work. The great advantage of the
graphing option is that these settings can be custom-tailored
to your choosing. For more detailed information on these
six indicators, please refer to APPENDIX "A".
It is really quite easy to alter each of the indicators to
customize for your personal strategies. Each indicator can
be selected and set-up individually. Just simply select the
number of the indicator you wish to modify, and then answer
the prompts. Be careful when selecting a value to use for a
given data range. For example, if the size of the file
contains 100 days of closing prices, it makes more sense to
use 21 as an moving average value than 80.
After you make a change to one of the six indicator areas,
the settings are immediately saved, and will be reflected on
the CURRENT SETTINGS FOR GRAPHS screen. When you have made
all the necessary changes, press "ENTER"
At this point you will be prompted to enter the range of days
to graph. The default starting day is <1>, while the default
ending day is whatever number of total days of data exist in
the file (maximum of 130). You may select these values by
simply pressing "ENTER", or you can select any days in
between.
Since the vertical scale (along the Y axis) sets the
graph extremes to the low and high closing prices of the
specified data range, it provides a "zooming in" capability
that locks out any days outside of the data range. This can
be a powerful educational tool in itself. If a dramatic
price change occurred in the past few days of trading, you
can set the data range of days to include all the days except
these past few where the change occurred. Using this feature
will enable you to discover certain movements and patterns in
technical analysis that perhaps were indicated on the graphs
previously.
Now that you have set the range of days to be graphed, the
screen will clear, and the following message appears at the
top:
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO GRAPH THE --------- FUND? <default=Y>"
( --------- = the name of the stock or fund )
You may simply press "ENTER" or "Y" to view the listed graph.
If you desire to skip a few graphs, you can press "N" a few
times. This will allow you to move very quickly through the
pack and save time if you're in a hurry. And should you
accidentally pass one of the funds or stocks you wanted to
view, just press <B> to back up until you see it listed. When
you have finished viewing the last graph, or entered <Q> to
quit, you will be asked if you would like to view the same
file again. If you respond with "Y", you will see the CURRENT
SETTINGS FOR GRAPHS again, allowing you to make any changes,
as well as allowing you to redefine the range of days for
graphing. If you respond with "N", you will return to the
TIME SAVER OPTIONS MENU.
4-3.1 Indicator Screen
At any time you can see a detailed indicator screen for the
security printed on the screen. This is accomplished by
pressing <I> while the full size graph is on the screen.
The indicator screen has four sections. The top plot is
the price action of the fund or stock, but having a smaller
vertical scale.
4-3.2 The Relative Strength Index
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is shown directly below the
price plot. Both the 30%, the 70% lines, and the neutral
axis are shown. You may want to refer to the work of Mr.
J. Welles Wilder, Jr. Copies of his books are available
in major libraries. The Relative Strength Index is a tool
that adds a new dimension in chart interpretation.
* Tops and Bottoms are indicated when the RSI goes
above 70 or drops below 30.
* Chart Formations may be more apparent in the RSI
than in the plot of the data itself.
* Failure Swings above 70 or below 30 on the RSI
scale are strong indications of market reversals.
* Support and Resistance often show up more pronounced
on the RSI than on the data itself.
* Divergence between the RSI and the price trends is a
very strong indication that a market turning point
is very near.
Be sure to give this RSI index a lot of study along with
the price action of the stock or fund being graphed. It
is powerful. You can easily set the number of days used
in the RSI from the graphing set-up menu.
4-3.3 Cone Group Performance Comparative Index
The Cone Group Performance Comparative Index (CGPCI) is
a unique indicator used by Roy T. Cone for several years.
What the program actually does is create a special index
of all the funds or stocks in the active file being used.
This index is made on an "equal weighing basis" for each
fund or stock in the file. This invisible index is just
like the Dow Jones, or S&P500, except it includes only
the stocks or funds in your data.
The index itself is invisible, but what you really want
to know is how the stock or fund being plotted is behaving
in relation to this invisible index on an equal dollar
basis. When the index is above the neutral line, the
stock on the screen is growing faster than the "pack"
in your data base. The number of days interval for this
comparison is variable via the set-up menu. A dampening
factor is available to keep this index in bounds, particularly
when only a small number of stocks or funds are included
in the data base.
This index is then a "beauty contest" to see how comely
(or how ugly) is the performance of the stock being plotted
in relation with the "pack" of all the stocks in the data
base.
4-3.4 The Williams' Oscillator
One of the broadest indicators in use for investing is the
Williams' Oscillator. This tells how your stock is acting
in accordance with the "HIGHEST HIGH" and the "LOWEST LOW"
time interval in which the oscillator has been set. This
oscillator moves quickly from 0 to 100 when the price begins
to increase after a few days of being dormant.
4-4 Data File Utilities
Selecting option 4 on the main menu takes you to a separate
menu (in fact a separate program is chained and run) which
includes other menu options for file maintenance. These are
reviewed in section 5.
4-5 Exit To Dos
This asks you finally if you are "really sure" that you want
to exit the program MarketEGA and return to the Disk Operating
System. The authors' find it hard to believe that anyone
would ever wish to do this, but we put it in the menu anyway.
5-0 The Data File Utility Menu
The Data File Utility Menu appears when option 4 is selected
from the main menu. This is actually a separate program named
DFUTILS.EXE that is chained to MarketEGA. Menu selections are
reviewed as follows:
5-1 Create A New File For Stocks Or Mutual Funds
This option 1 allows you to set up your own customized list of
funds or stocks in the order you wish to add prices. If you
get your daily prices from the business section of your
newspaper, be sure to list them in the same order. This will
make it easier for you, immediately eliminating a lot of
hide-and-seek. If you get your quotes through a broker or one
of the toll-free quote lines, ask for the names of the funds
in the order that they are listed daily.
After you enter "1" as your selected option, the program
immediately accesses the data drive you specified and
performs a directory of files. This is done so that you will
NOT create a new file with an existing name. The filename you
select may be 8 characters long, and allows for a 3 character
extension if you desire. As an example, you should use a
descriptive name such as "MYFUNDS.88", "MYSTOCKS.88", or
"JANJUN88.DAT". Use any name you wish, just remember not to
use the name of a file that already exists on your disk that
you may not want to lose.
Next you will be asked to enter the number of funds or
stocks you wish to track. Be sure to limit yourself to no
more than fifty (50) per file. After entering a number, you
will have the opportunity to assign a name to each fund (or
stock). The fund (or stock) name should not exceed 12
characters in length. Examples of names could be "GEN MOT
5.80" (to specify dividend if you wish), or "FID MED DEL"
(Fidelity Medical Delivery, or the stock symbols themselves,
as you prefer. When all the names have been entered, the file
will be saved to the disk in the default drive. Be sure to avoid
periods, commas, semicolons in the file name you choose.
After you select the name for a new file you will
be able return to the main menu to add closing prices easily
every day using option "1" from the main menu. Remember,
for every new file, at least 10 days of data must be included
for the program to operate properly.
5-2. Correct The Price of A Stock Or Fund
Errors in a fund's price are really easy to see and correct.
If you discover that one of the closing prices was incorrect
when you saved it - don't panic. This option will allow you
to re-enter the data file and EDIT the price. Simply select
option 2 from the file utility menu, and press RETURN.
Now enter the name of the file that contains the error(s).
After entering the file, the computer will read the data in
the file and list all of the funds (or stocks) that exist in
the file. Type in the number to the left of the fund name
that contains the error, and press RETURN.
Next the number of days of data will appear, and ask you to
enter the day of the mistake. After entering the day, the
filename, fund, day, and current price will appear. at this
point enter the new (correct) price, and press RETURN.
Finally, you will be asked if you would like to change any
more prices. If you respond with a "Y", the process is
repeated. Answering "N" will save the file and return you to
the file utility menu.
5-3 Backup a File Of Stocks Or Funds
By selecting option 3 from the file utility menu, you will be
able to save your data as a back-up for future reference should
you desire it. When prompted for the file to back-up, select the
filename from the directory above.
The data is now read and written to a duplicate file, but
first you must enter a backup filename. For example, if the
data is for the first 130 days of 1988, you might call the
back-up file "HALF1-88",or "JANJUN88.DAT", or some other
descriptive name. Finally the file is written to disk keeping
the original intact for continual data entry.
One note, you will do well to be sure that the disk will have
enough space for the duplicate disk before attempting to make
this duplicate.
5-4. Make Adjustment For Dividend Or Capital Gain
On occasion stocks and mutual funds will reflect a dramatic
change in price due to a dividend payment or capital gain.
This will alter the percent changes of the funds or stocks
you track. This change, if not adjusted, will make the fund
appear weak in comparison to the other funds or stocks you
track, and can also severely affect the graphs you view as
well. To correct this, you should use UTILITY MENU option #4.
After the file is loaded, a numbered list of stocks or funds
will appear on the screen. You will be asked to enter the
number of the stock or fund to adjust. After you have entered
the number, a complete list of days and corresponding closing
prices will appear on the screen. Now you will be prompted to
enter the day in which price adjusting should begin. If the
fund has 100 closing prices, and day 100 reflects the price
that received a dividend or capital gains change, you will
want to begin the adjustment at day 99. Now you will be asked
to enter the amount to subtract from each day. Enter the
amount of the capital gain or dividend payment.
At this time, you will see the complete list of prices with all
days adjusted properly beginning with the very first day of data.
If for some reason, the amount is incorrect, or you used the
wrong starting day, you can answer "N" to the following
question, which asks you to verify the prices. If you respond
with "N", the original list of unadjusted prices will appear.
If you respond with "Y" you will be asked if you want to
adjust any more funds. If you then respond with "N", you can
then return to the MarketEGA FILE UTILITY MENU.
5-5. Add Funds Or Stocks To An Existing File
In the event that you decide to add another stock or fund to
one of your data files, you can use UTILITY MENU option #5 to
add it. The only limitation is that you can have no more than
50 TOTAL stocks or funds in a single file. You will be asked
to enter the name of the file. After the file is loaded, a
list of funds or stocks in the file will be listed. Now you
will be asked to enter a new name for the stock or fund you
wish to add. After the name is entered, you will see a new
listing of all the funds in the file. The fund or stock you
just added will be listed at the end. You may now save the
file.
VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
When you add a new stock or fund to a file. No data is added
for the closing prices, so MarketEGA "backfills" the total
number of days with a price between $1.00 and $1.50 per day.
YOU MUST change these prices to reflect their past history,
or at least the past 10 days, so you can use the printout
and graphing options.
To make these changes you should use UTILITY MENU option #2
"CORRECT THE PRICE OF A STOCK OR FUND". This can be
accomplished very quickly. If you have access to a text
editor or word processing program (the VERY BEST ones are
distributed as SHAREWARE - and are worth every penny!), that
reads and writes ASCII files, you can change the prices even
quicker. All data files are written sequentially, and can be
easily edited with an ASCII text editor.
If you try to graph the added fund before the prices are
corrected, UNPREDICTABLE results will occur, also you will
get division by zero errors if you try to use the printout
summary option. So go back and enter the right prices!
5-6. Delete Funds Or Stocks From An Existing File
If you wish to remove a stock or fund from your data, simply
chose UTILITY MENU Option #6. The list of current funds is
shown on the screen, and you will be asked to indicate the
number of the stock or fund you wish to delete. Simply select
that number and the data is removed from the file.
One word of caution, once the data is gone, it is gone forever.
You will do well to be certain and double-check yourself prior
to the selection of funds to delete.
5-7. Return To Main Menu
UTILITY MENU option #7 allows you to leave the file utility
program and return to the main menu of MarketEGA. This actually
chains back to the mother program for graphing, printing, sorting,
or returning to Dos. (Now why would anyone want to do that?)
6-0. CONCLUSION
Well, that's about all there is to using MarketEGA. Whatever
you do, take your time the first few times when using the
program. Some fundamental error handling routines have been
included. There is no doubt that other errors can occur which
have not been anticipated by the authors. In this case, power
up the program and try again. And when all else fails, please
review the documentation.
And when that fails, registered users are welcome to call the
authors for help. We ask that you do not call collect as we
cannot accept such cost with this low-cost program.
The authors sincerely hope you'll find the program useful,
and profitable in the handling of your investments. Be sure
and promote SHAREWARE concept by making copies of MarketEGA
Version 4.2s available others to try. When you decide to use
the program on a permanent basis, please register with us by
sending a check or money order for $45.00.
"Why so cheap?", you ask. Yes, we wrote the program for our own
investing needs and we can provide this powerful full-featured
investing program at a price that every person can afford. We
We work with a non-profit investing association in Houston and
have seen many investing programs costing from $400 up to $2000.
We personally didn't feel we could afford them because we would
rather have our investment dollars working instead of investing
in expensive software.
MarketEGA is now being used to manage large sums of money. The
Customers for MarketEGA are located completely across the nation.
By registering, you will receive many other benefits
as well. Registered users receive a personal, enhanced
version 4.2r of the program. Your registered copy provides
the capability of storing and comparing up to 50 individual
stocks, mutual funds, or indices PER FILE!
Please DO NOT distribute copies of your registered version!
Also if you consistently receive financial rewards from using
the program, please donate a portion to a worthwhile charity.
The authors would like to thank all of the friends and
co-workers who have encouraged the writing of this program.
In addition, we would like to thank the Houston Computer
Investors' Association for their forum that allows individual
investors to share their knowledge in investing with others.
Enjoy...
7. The Shareware Distribution Concept
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. The main
difference is in the method of distribution. The author
specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the
software, either to all or to a specific group. For example,
some authors require written permission before a commercial
disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
So, 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.
The above statement about shareware was provided by the
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). If you are
interested in learning more about Shareware, please feel free
to contact us. In addition to providing MarketEGA in the
Shareware arena, F2S Enterprises' primary function serves as
being a highest quality Shareware distribution company.
If you feel that you would like to try other Shareware
programs, send us $2.50 and ask for our catalog of Shareware
distributed programs that have been written by other authors
as well. Shareware programs are some of the best available at
any cost!
F2S Enterprises
Shareware Distributors, Dept. MK
P.O. Box 1011
La Porte, Tx 77572-1011
Please contact us for your Shareware and User-Supported
Software needs. Hundreds of programs are now available for
you to try and enjoy.
Our 2 cents worth:
------------------
If you are using a Shareware program such as MarketEGA
on a regular basis, you are obligated to pay for it.
Shareware is founded on the principles of honesty and a
product standing on its own merit. It truly is a concept that
can only be fully realized by cooperation of both parties
involved - the user and the author. If the user provides
payment for the use of a program, authors will continue to
create and provide imaginative and useful programs to the
Shareware community. But if authors of outstanding programs
do not receive fair compensation through this means of
distribution, they will surely either quit writing software,
or the user will end up buying it "before trying it" , and
right off of some store's shelf (with an inflated price tag).
F2S Enterprises
Shareware Distributors
8. "Why Should I Register?"
Dear MarketEGA User:
I know you are asking yourself, "Why should I send a
contribution of $45.00 for becoming a Registered User of
MarketEGA ?". Here are a few answers:
1. You will receive a registered copy of MarketEGA, with your
name and registration number listed on the Main Menu.
2. You will receive expanded capability of having 50 stocks,
funds or index per file, instead of the 5 on the shareware
version of the program.
3. You will be advised of all future improvements and
enhancements developed for the program.
4. Phone support is available to registered users. Be sure to
have your registration number handy when you call.
5. You will receive a real-live program, supported by its
author for a 12 month's period. Continued support of MarketEGA
or any other "User Supported" program depends on the
financial support of its users.
You will do well if you register. Please fill out and return the
form at the end of this document. Please do it at this time.
Appendix A: GRAPH INDICATORS AND SCALING DATA RANGES
A.1 Automatic Scaling of the graph on the Y-Axis
Regardless of the movement of the data, the program provides
automatic scaling. This covers the range of the data
movement of the fund or stock for the days graphed. In
addition, if an Index is plotted, the range of the index is
made available so that all permanent data can be viewed.
A.2 Automatic Spread and Scaling of Data on X-Axis
The first day of interest (day 1 or any other) is shown on
the left hand side of the screen, while the last day for the
graph is shown on the right side of the screen. This in
effect gives an automatic "zoom" effect when you want to very
carefully study only a few days data such as 15 or 20 days
information.
The appropriate days, (or actual date depending on how the
data was entered) is shown just above the graph on the right
and left sides.
A.3 The Data for the fund.
The data graph for the fund is shown with a green plot on the
screen. The price movement area of the graph is shown by a
cross-hatching to bring out the data for easy understanding.
A.4 The Index
When activated, the index is a dashed white line
super-imposed on the fund's graph. The identification of the
Index used is shown on the lower right side of the screen.
The index is automatically drawn to proper scale based on the
beginning relationship of the Index to the Fund on the first
day shown in the graph.
It is interesting that any stock, fund, or index can be used
as an index through any review of the funds. This becomes
important if you wish to make direct comparison of the price
action and performance of a fund as directly compared to the
Index.
A.5 Two Moving Averages
Two Moving Average lines can be superimposed on the price
action of a fund or stock. Either one or both moving average
lines can be turned on or off. These can be set individually
according to your wishes. The identification of the number of
days used in each Moving Average is shown on the top right of
the graph. This identification is style co-ordinated by
color of the text and the moving average line style and color
for ease of recognition.
Moving averages are "weighted" to give more emphasis on the
current day's data. Several of our users have asked for the
method of calculation used in the moving averages, because it
differs slightly from a simple arithmetic moving average. In
conceptual form the routine calculated.....
let factor = 2 / (movavedays + 1)
let movave(today) = (factor * todays price) +
(1 - factor) * movave(yesterday))
This weighing is most important when very short time duration
moving averages are used, such as 5 or 7 days, etc.
A.6 Overbought/Oversold Lines
The Overbought and Oversold Lines and white horizonal lines
that can be superimposed on and off the screen simply
pressing the "S" key. The location of the Overbought and
Oversold Lines can be set where you want them in the set-up
mode. Continued pressing the "S" key will toggle these line
off and on the screen.
A.7 Support/Resistance Moving Average Lines
In set-up mode, you can specify the individual days for the
moving average lines that can be offset from the data and
used to indicate Support and Resistance price levels. These
can be offset from the data itself by the percentage points
that you specify.
For example, you may specify that the Support Moving Average
Line might be represented by .98 times the 9 day moving
average line, and the Resistance Line for higher prices might
be shown as 1.03 times the 21 day moving average line.
Plotting these lines forms a channel in which the price data
normally occurs. It is easy to see exceptions where the price
appears to drop too low, or increases too rapidly.
A.8 Moving Average Convergence-Divergence
One indicator widely used is formed by the difference in two
different moving average lines. This is called the MACD
Index. The slope of this index can be used to indicate
possible future price movements.
When activated. the Moving Average Convergence/Divergence is
shown by a series of yellow dots on the bottom of the screen.
you will note that when the moving average lines on the
screens cross each other, that the yellow dots cross the
x-axis.
Moving Average Convergence-Divergence is a powerful indicator
and merits your careful study. Compare what happens when one
moving average is about 3 times the second one. Compare with
what is occuring with the price of the stock or fund.
A.9 Filter Zones Available also
Filter Zones are an optional special case of the
Support/Resistance lines. Filter Zones run parallel on the
graph and are formed by selecting one Moving Average Point
and offsetting it the same distance (in percentage) above
and below the stock price data.
One significant difference between the Filter Zones and the
Support/Resistance Zones, is that the Filter zones act as a
continuous channel which can be tailored to fit a trading
pattern of including the majority of highs and lows
establishing a continuous short term trading range.
A.10 Printing Out A Graph
At any time, should you want to have a printed copy of a
graph (or any screen in the program), simply press the shift
key and the "Prt Sc" key at the same time. The printer will
begin, and in a few moments you will have the copy you
desired.
This feature is particularly useful when you want to keep the
picture of why you took a buy or sell position. By making a
hard copy it is possible to return weeks later and determine
if the timing for the decision was read properly from the
graph. Reviewing past actions and their outcomes let you
sharpen your skills in trading.
Appendix B: SPECIAL INDICATORS AND THEIR USAGE
B.1 Special Features of MarketEGA, Version 4.2
MarketEGA, Version 4.2 incorporates a second indicator screen
after the graphical presentation of the stock or fund price.
This screen is called by "I"<enter>, after the first screen
is shown.
The indicator screen is composed of 4 graphical presentations
located one above the other. This arrangement with the price
and the indicators allows you to compare the indicators with
the actual price chart. The same automatic spread and scaling
features of the data used on the first screen are continued
in the Indicator Screen.
Primary features of the indicator screen are (1) the price
plot, (2) the Relative Strength Index, (3) the Cone Group
Performance Comparative Index, (4) the William's Oscillator,
and (5) user defined points and lines described in Appendix
C.
B.2 Putting Indicators In Perspective
Indicators are powerful tools to aid the investor to check
and compare what may happen in the future price action of a
fund, stock, or index. The use of several indicators are
greatly magnify the usefulness of indicators. But price
action in the market-place is not mathematical function, but
a RANDOM walk.
There certainly are patterns that repeat themselves in the
price action of stocks and funds. Much insight can profitably
be learned from the interpretation of these patterns. But
always remember, the "mechanical" use of any indicators can
give you a false sense of security that can result in
significant LOSSES.
B.3 The Price Plot
The top presentation is the price of the fund or stock. This
is a "cameo" of the price action. Although the vertical scale
is reduced, the plot of the price is still totally in
accurate scale.
B.4 The Relative Strength Index
The Relative Strength Index is a momentum oscillator
comparing the strength of the "average ups" to the "average
downs" during the number of days for which the oscillator is
set. For detailed R.S.I. information and explanation, refer
to the book, "New Concepts in Technical Trading System" by J.
Welles Wilder, Jr., P.O. Box 459, Greensboro, NC 27402.
Many times patterns, such as pendants, head-and-shoulders,
etc., are more readily seen in the action of the Relative
Strength Index than with the price action of the stock
itself.
The calculations are based on the relationship.....
R.S.I = 100 - ((100)/(1+RS)) where
RS = ("average ups" for X days / "average downs" for X
days"
X = numbers of running days for which the oscillator is set.
Commonly used time intervals for the Relative Strength Index
range from 7 to 21 days, depending upon the wishes of the
investor. The shorter the interval in days, the more
responsive the indicator to current events.
The R.S.I. graph shows how the price action has moved
compared to itself for various periods of time. "Is the stock
going up faster than it did last week?" is readily shown by
this indicator.
B.5 The Cone Group Performance Comparative Indicator
The Cone Group Performance Comparative Indicator (C.G.P.C.I)
is a proprietary index developed by the authors of MarketEGA.
The C.G.P.C.I. reveals how the stock or fund being graphed
compares with the "pack" of all stocks or funds in the data
file you are currently using.
Everyone is familiar with the Dow Jones, or the S & P
indexes. But really the investor is really interested whether
the stock he is now investigating is "better" or "worse" than
the average of the "pack" of stocks that he owns or follows.
The pack is a "custom index" composed of an average of all
stocks in your data file on a even-dollar basis. This means
that the relative value for the price action of a $2.00 stock
is equal to the relative price action of a $100.00 stock.
This keeps the high priced stocks from warping the data.
The time factor used in the index measures the relative
performance of the stock being studied, compared to the
relative performance of the "pack" for the same number of
days.
Typical numbers of days most meaningful with the C.G.P.C.I.
ranges from 7 up to 21 days, as with the R.S.I. Frequently
both indexes are set for the same number of days.
When both the Cone Group Performance Comparative Index is
moving favorably (+), and the Relative Strength Index is
gaining momentum, wonderful things are happening in the price
action of the stock being studied.
B.6 The Williams' Oscillator
The Williams' Oscillator is based on determining how high or
low a stock or fund is in relationship to its trading range
for the last "X" number of days. This relationship can be
visualized as follows:
W.O. = (Present Price - Lowest Low in "x" days) / (Highest
High in "x" days - Lowest Low in "x" days)
This gives you an indication as to where the stock or fund is
within the "window" of the highs and lows during the last "x"
days.
Short intervals of 3 to 5 days are frequently useful in
trading on a short time period basis. Longer time intervals
are usual in determining trend changes.
When a stocks closing daily closing price is at the Highest
High of the time interval, the oscillator is at the extreme
top line of the plot. Conversely, when the stock or fund has
been falling for x days, the oscillator is in the -100 bottom
position.
Buy and Sell signals can be devised by comparing just when
the William's Oscillator breaks through a previously selected
support or resistance level.
B.7 The Trend of the Indicators
Much useful information can be gleaned from using the moving
averages, indexes, and indicators in this program. Such
indicators when used together in a tree-structured decision
process can minimize the "emotion-packed" buys and sells that
cost all of us in the market.
MarketEGA has the ability to present the data in innumerable
ways. You will want to give serious and careful study on
"what the indicators are showing" and how the indicators
behave when certain things happen to the price of the stock
or fund. It is very easy to change the set-up number of days
used by the indicators. You will want to experiment with the
indicators to tailor them to your trading or investing
strategy and compare the result. In this way, you can see
relationships unfold in time for worthy profits. Yet, let me
repeat a paragraph you have read before.
B.8 Putting Indicators In Perspective
Indicators are powerful tools to aid the investor to check
and compare what may happen in the future price action of a
fund, stock, or index. The use of several indicators are
greatly magnify the usefulness of indicators. But price
action in the market-place is not mathematical function, but
a RANDOM walk. And sometimes it does "mind-boggling" things.
There certainly are patterns that repeat themselves in the
price action of stocks and funds. Much insight can profitably
be learned from the interpretation of these patterns. But
always remember, the "mechanical" use of any indicators can
give you a false sense of security that can result in
significant LOSSES.
APPENDIX C: USER DEFINED POINTS AND LINE
C.1 Special Line Features for Users of MarketEGA, vers 4.2
MarketEGA, Version 4.2 incorporates the ability to draw
horizonal lines, vertical lines, sloping lines anywhere on
either the first or the second screen as the user wishes.
Any number of lines can be drawn. In addition, points (or a
cluster of points can be used) to mark points of special
interest on a graph such as the point of purchase of a stock
or fund.
The use of horizonal and vertical lines are particularly
useful in carrying a reference point of interest down to the
indicator screens, or the reverse. Although the eye is pretty
good for scanning the relationships between indicators and
the price action, vertical lines are so much more accurate.
The use of sloping lines can be very useful in highlighting
trends, showing price breakouts on either the price graphs or
the indicator plots.
C.2 The First Screen : Use of Points and Lines
After the first price action screen is completed, you
will note at the top the prompt is:
<I> <L> or Continue
The <I> choice will move directly to the second indicator
screen, as discussed in Appendix B.
Picking the <L> choice will result in the first screen being
in "line mode." You will note that both a horizonal and
vertical line appeared on the screen when you selected the
"L" option. If the horizontal line overlays a line already on
the screen, it will appear in an alternate color. Notice also
that the lower right corner now display the current day and
its corresponding price. As the vertical line will move, the
day number and price will also change.
Pressing <ENTER> will continue with the next stock or fund
C.3 The Second Screen : Use of Points and Lines
After the second indicator screen is in place, you will note
that the prompt shows:
<L> <B> or Continue
Picking the <l> choice will result in being in the "line
mode." This is exactly the same as with the first screen.
Picking the <B>ack option will revert back to the beginning
price screen for the stock or fund.
Pressing <ENTER> will continue with the next stock or fund.
C.4 Moving of the Horizonal and Vertical Lines
The right-and-left arrow keys will cause the vertical line to
move back-and-forth across the screen. You will note that the
day for the vertical line is shown at the top of the screen,
and increments as the line moves.
The up-and-down arrow keys will cause the horizonal line to
move up-and-down across the screen.
Note: At this time, the increment moved by the vertical line
equals to 5 days on the graph. So each time the right arrow
key is touched the vertical line increments 1 week. The
Horizonal line also moves an equivalent distance.
C.5 Adjusting the Increment of Horizonal and Vertical Line
Movement.
Touching the "+" key will increase the increment of movement
of the horizonal and vertical lines. Repeatedly touching the
"+" key will increase the increment even further.
Conversely, touching the "-" key will decrease the increment
of movement of the horizonal and vertical lines. The repeated
pressing of the "-" key will reduce the increment of movement
down to "1-day's" increment on the x-axis.
Continued pressing of either of the plus or minus keys will
fill the keyboard buffer, and the computer will beep to
indicate that the buffer is now exceeded by the key strokes
that you have entered.
For precision placement of the horizontal line (vertical is
already incremented to the smallest meaningful distance -
day to day), press "PgDn" to override the current increment
down to one pixel spacing (a pixel is a single dot on the
screen). As you press the up or down arrow keys, the
horizontal line will move at a distance of that one pixel.
This is especially useful in placement of accurate locations
of any points or lines. To return to previous increment
spacing simply press "PgUp".
Some experimentation is in order now...... go into
the line mode and position the lines and try it out.
Horizonal lines are placed on the screen with the <H> key.
Vertical lines are placed on the screen with the <V> key.
You can place as many horizonal or vertical lines on the
screen as you wish.
One feature of the vertical line function, is that both the
day and price of the stock are shown on the lower right
hand side of the screen. Prices and Days continually change
as the vertical line with the cursor are moved.
C.6 The Sloping or Diagonal Line
It is easy to place sloping or diagonal lines where ever you
wish them on the screen.
Pick the first point for a sloping or diagonal line by
locating the "cross-hairs" of the vertical and horizonal
lines on your screen until you get them where you want one
point of the sloping line to touch. At this place, touch the
"P" key. You will note that a tiny point appears on the
screen in a different color.
Move the "cross-hairs" to another point where you desire to
draw the sloping or diagonal line. There are two options
here...... <D>raw or <E>xtend. If you press the "D" key a
diagonal line will appear in yellow between the first point
and the second location you have indicated. At this time, you
can move the cross-hairs out of the way, etc.
But if you wanted to extend the line past the points you have
selected, press the "E" key for an EXTENDED diagonal line.
For your information, the length of the extended line is 3
times the distance between the points that you selected for
the diagonal line. At time the diagonal line may extend
beyond the limits of the screen. This will not affect your
plots or the program's operation.
C.7 Drawing Several Horizonal, or Vertical Lines
It is easy to place several vertical or horizonal lines.
Simply draw them in place using the <V> key for placement
of vertical lines and the <H> key for placement of horizonal
lines. When the screen becomes messy, simply backup and redraw
either the main screen or the indicator screen as you wish.
C.8 Line Functions Work on Either Screen
In the event, that you wanted to place diagonal lines on the
indicator screen, the same instructions apply.
C.9 User Defined Buy & Sell Symbols On The Screen
Often in working with a graph you would like to add a symbol
indicating where a fund or stock was bought or sold. This can
easily be accomplished in the "Line" mode. Simply place the
"cross-hairs over the point where the symbol is to be placed.
Use the "Alt-B" keys (Press both the alternate key then the "B"
key and a "B" with a overhead arrow will appear on the screen.
The position of the point of the arrow will be located were
the crosshairs are centered.
In the same manner, get in "Line" mode, place the crosshairs
where desired and press the "Alt-S" keys for the sell symbol.
This consists of the "S" located directly above an arrow point
pointing downward. The placing of buy and sell symbols are
useful prior to printing hard-copies of the graphs by using
the Shift-Prt Sc. combination.
C.10 Those Strange Colors
When a line is directly on top of another segment of the
graph on your screen, that section of the line will change
color. This is handled by the computer automatically, and it
definitely aids in the readability of the graphical
presentations.
C.11 All lines and Symbols On The Screen Appear In The Printing
You will note that all of the horizonal, vertical, sloping
lines or buy/sell points will be indicated in the printing routine
of the hard copies of the graphs.
APPENDIX D. A WORD ABOUT COMMISSIONS
D.1 Rewards to Our Users.
The MarketEGA program development owes a lot to our users.
When you have ideas that would be useful to you in future
programs, just drop us a line and tell us about it. We can't
guarantee that your modification will show-up in the next
release, but we do consider and attempt to use as many
customer ideas as possible.
What's in it for you?
Well, you will get the release version that contains your
idea without any cost to you.
D.2 Commissions
When we receive orders for Registered User copies of
MarketEGA, if your name and serial number of your registered
copy of MarketEGA is included as a reference on the bottom of
our order form, we will mail you a $10.00 check from F2S
Enterprises.
This means when you have recommended MarketEGA to five of
your fiends and acquaintances, and they become registered
users of the program, that your copy is FREE.
D.3 F2S Enterprises
Please don't forget that F2S Enterprises distributes
hundreds of other programs in the Shareware market. For your
other software needs, just give us a note indicating your
needs, and we will send you a listing of programs in our
library that may be applicable. We guarantee you will be
pleased with our service!
Remember however, that this is Shareware, and that the
authors need to be paid for the programs that you repeatedly
use.
D.4 Thank You For Your Business.
Writing programs to meet the needs of people is an avocation
that gives the authors a great deal of pleasure. Our programs
are priced so that the fees received do not cover the actual
time requirements for developing the programs. We have met
a lot of really nice people that use their personal computers
to aid their investing decisions. We look forward to joining
in our group of customers. We appreciate your business, and
will try diligently to be worthy of the confidences you have
placed in us when you order one of our programs. Thank You!
INVOICE
F2S Enterprises
P.O. Box 1011
La Porte, TX 77572-1011
Quantity Description Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration of MarketEGA(tm) version 4.2r (registration
includes: expanded file structure for use of MarketEGA
(version 4.2s), allowing up to 50 stocks or funds / file.
In addition, you will receive additional technical support
and possible commission (for referred registrations).
____ Qty ....................................each @ $45.00 = $_______
Registration of MarketCGA(tm) version 2.2R has the same
features above but plots the graphical data in high
resolution monochrome mode.
For users having only monochrome monitors, a CGA emulation
program has been included on the disk at no additional cost.
This will work with many monochrome computers using MS dos.
____ Qty MarketCGA(tm) version 2.2R (for CGA MONITORS)
each @ $45.00 = $_______
The famous F2S Enterprises "Catalog-On-Disk" (includes
descriptions of over 200 disks of the finest SHAREWARE &
Public Domain software programs by a variety of authors)
each @ $2.50 = $_______
Subtotal = $_______
(Texas residents add 8% state sales tax) = $_______
Total = $_______
Please pay only by check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH!
------------------------------------------------------------
Name:_______________________________________________________
Company:____________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
City: __________________________State:_______ Zip:________
Telephone: (_______)-______-________
Referral Information: Who referred you to try MarketEGA ?
(This person will receive a commission at no cost to you.)
Name:________________________ Reg.no.(if known) __________
THANK YOU FOR USING MarketEGA (tm)
AND FOR SUPPORTING THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT...
l