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