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FILE2828.TXT
Disk No: 2828
Disk Title: Stock Charting System 3/3 (#246 & 1354)
PC-SIG Version: 3.11
Program Title: Stock Charting System
Author Version: 3.11
Author Registration: $50.00.
Special Requirements: A graphics card and two floppy drives.
The STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM draws or prints "volume/high/low/close"
charts for any stock, bond, commodity, or security that has a
high/low/close price. Short- and long-term moving averages can be
included on the chart and temporarily changed for "what-if"
calculations. The STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM is menu-driven and comes with a
complete set of context-sensitive help screens.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
NEWUSER.DOC
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 (SHAREWARE VERSION) PAGE 1 OF 8
INSTALLATION GUIDE - FOR NEW USERS ONLY
(C) Copyright 1988-91 Charles L. Pack - All Rights Reserved
WRITTEN BY: Charles L. Pack
25303 La Loma Drive, Los Altos Hills, CA. 94022
Phone: (415) 949-0887 (no collect calls please)
Permission is granted to try out this software, to make backup copies,
and to copy and share it with others. License for use is granted ONLY
to individual persons who have registered directly with the author.
Clubs, user groups and other institutions are authorized to distribute
this software COMPLETE and UN-ALTERED for a "disk fee" not to exceed
$25.00. The author makes no warranties or guarantees, express or im-
plied, and makes no recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Suggestions and comments are welcome, and may be submitted directly to
the author at the above address.
NOTE: This document pertains ONLY to NEW USERS. For those who are UP-
GRADING from an earlier version which has already been in use, print or
display the document UPGRADE.DOC and follow those instructions instead.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
The hardware requirements include an IBM or other "fully compatible"
personal computer with either TWO floppy drives or one floppy drive and
a hard disk drive, and 256K or more memory. A color graphics adapter
(CGA, EGA or VGA) or equivalent is required for displaying or printing
bar and line charts. The IBM PS/1 and PS/2, and some other computers
with VGA graphics, will require a color monitor. An Epson-compatible
graphics printer is required for printing the charts. IBM DOS or PC-DOS
version 2.0 or later versions are supported.
This program is compatible with the Personal Portfolio Analyzer, Release
2.12 or later. Data files for both programs can exist in the same dir-
ectory, and both programs can use the same catalog (list of securities).
Therefore any security that exists in one program can automatically exist
in the other. WARNING: If you have an earlier version of the Personal
Portfolio Analyzer, you MUST upgrade to Release 2.12. See page 8 for
more information.
SPECIAL INFORMATION ABOUT HERCULES GRAPHICS
If you are using a computer equipped with a Hercules or equivalent
"monographics" display, you MUST have a special software simulator to
display the bar charts. That software is NOT a part of the Stock
Charting System. The author recommends a product called HGCIBM.COM,
which is available as user-supported software from many "shareware"
distributors. The instructions for use with HGCIBM.COM are not inclu-
ded in this document, but they will come with that product, and you
should follow those instructions for installation.
NOTE: The HGCIBM.COM program must be installed - with the required
software switch settings - BEFORE starting the Stock Charting System.
It makes no difference whether it is installed before or after GRAPHICS
is loaded. Also, it should be un-installed after you are finished,
if you are running other programs that use Hercules graphics directly.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 2 OF 8
HOW TO GET THE STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM RUNNING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
In this document, abbreviations are used to denote certain actions. The
< > symbols indicate a particular key to be pressed, for example <Enter>
means "press the Enter key". The Enter key is used to indicate you are
finished entering a command or a data item. <Enter> need not be pre-
ceeded by a space even though it is done in this document for clarity.
Some keys, such as the Esc (escape) and Ctrl (control) keys, may be in
different positions on different keyboards. You may have to look, or
consult your computer operations manual to find them. The Enter key has
a funny hooked arrow on it. The Ctrl key is usually near the left side.
The Esc key is usually in or near the top row. It can be used to get
out of virtually any situation you don't want to be in.
Commands typed into DOS may be in uppercase (CAPITAL letters) or lower-
case; for example COPY, Copy and copy are all interpreted in the same
way. In this document, commands will be shown in uppercase.
The Stock Charting System may use the DOS system date as a default param-
eter, and also to compute trading periods when adding a new security.
Therefore, it is important to enter the corrrect date when the computer
is started. From the DOS prompt A> or C>, type DATE <Enter>. If the
date is incorrect, type in a new date in the format mm/dd/yy, for exam-
ple 12/15/90 <Enter>.
If you have a hard disk, you must install your program on the hard disk
before running it. Instructions for hard disk installation begin on
page 5. Be sure also to read about portfolio management features on
page 8, for some important information.
OPERATION FROM FLOPPY DISKETTES
The first and most important thing for you to do is to MAKE A WORKING
COPY. The original copy of the Stock Charting System has (or, should
have!) write-protect tabs on it to prevent accidentally writing over it.
DO NOT try to use the original copy - keep that for backup! Make at
least one working copy of the Stock Charting System and then put the
original in a safe place other than where your computer is. This place
should be free of magnetic fields generated by vacuum cleaners, etc.
You will need a working copy diskette for each original STARTUP or
PROGRAM diskette you have received, plus one more for a DATA diskette.
Make a working copy of each STARTUP and PROGRAM diskette. Normally you
can use the DISKCOPY program in DOS. However if the two diskettes have
different capacities you will have to use FORMAT and then COPY. Make
sure all diskettes are labelled correctly, and then skip to the last
heading on page 3 (you need this in order to print graphs).
Beginning at the top of the next page are more detailed instructions on
how to format and copy diskettes, using commands already on your DOS
diskette.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 3 OF 8
HOW TO FORMAT DISKETTES
Insert your DOS diskette in drive A and make sure the A> prompt is visi-
ble. Insert a diskette to be formatted in drive B. This can be either a
new diskette, or one that doesn't have any data you want to keep. Now
type the following command:
FORMAT B: <Enter>
You will get a message telling you to insert a diskette in drive B.
WARNING: Any data on the diskette in drive B is about to be erased!
Reply Y <Enter> to begin formatting. When formatting has completed,
you will be asked if you want to format another diskette. Repeat the
process until you have all the newly formatted diskettes you will need.
Then reply N <Enter> to return to the DOS prompt.
*** WARNING! *** NEVER use FORMAT by itself. That will format your
DOS diskette, and wipe out your DOS!
HOW TO COPY FROM ONE DISKETTE TO ANOTHER
Make sure the DOS prompt A> is visible. Remove your DOS diskette from
drive A and insert the source diskette (the one you wish to copy) in
drive A. Insert the target diskette (the newly formatted diskette you
are copying TO) in drive B. Then type the following command:
COPY *.* B: <Enter>
This copies all of the individual files from the diskette in the default
drive (drive A) onto the working diskette in drive B. Make sure your
working diskette is properly labelled, and repeat the above process for
each original STARTUP or PROGRAM diskette you have received. Do not put
write-protect tabs on either the working copies of the STARTUP and
PROGRAM diskettes or on any data diskettes you plan to use.
YOU NEED THIS IN ORDER TO PRINT GRAPHS!
Insert your DOS diskette in Drive A and make sure the prompt A> is visi-
ble. Insert the WORKING COPY of your STARTUP diskette in Drive B. (The
STARTUP diskette has the files SM3.EXE and BRUN30.EXE on it). This
special program, which should be on your DOS diskette, is required in
order to print bar and line charts. Issue the following command from
the keyboard:
COPY GRAPHICS.* B: <Enter>
Note: In some versions of DOS - especially those from Tandy and Zenith -
the graphics print program may be called by another name. Refer to your
DOS manual, or consult with your dealer's service department.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 4 OF 8
OPERATION FROM FLOPPY DISKETTES (continued)
If you want to print bar and line graphs, you must run the GRAPHICS pro-
gram BEFORE starting the Stock Charting System. From the DOS prompt A>,
with your DOS diskette in drive A, type GRAPHICS <Enter>. This loads
into memory the program that will be used by the Stock Charting System
to print graphs. The prompt A> will return quickly.
Now remove any diskette in drive A and insert a WORKING COPY of the
STARTUP diskette (the one with SM3.EXE and BRUN30.EXE on it). If there
is only one diskette, insert that one. Do NOT try to start with any
other diskette. Type SM3 <Enter>. In just a moment the introductory
screen will appear!
If you have not used these programs before, press the H (for HELP) key
for further information on how to use the system in general. Then press
the Enter key to continue. If you began with the STARTUP diskette, the
program will prompt you to insert a PROGRAM diskette when it is needed.
Insert PROGRAM #1 for stock charting or PROGRAM #2 for portfolio manage-
ment if you have both. You should now see the Master Menu screen!
INPORTANT: If you want to use the portfolio manager feature, insert
PROGRAM #2 FIRST, if you have two program diskettes.
Once the system is running, all instructions on how to operate it are
available from within the system itself. Note that you can press the H
(for HELP) key to get instructions from any screen that has a menu.
Please read the HELP screens; they will answer most of your questions.
There should be some demonstration data files on the STARTUP diskette.
To work with these files, insert the STARTUP diskette in drive B (if you
don't have a separate STARTUP diskette, ignore that step and leave your
startup/program diskette in drive A). Then press S from the Master Menu
to go to the Stock Select screen and try out the various menu functions.
NOTE: You may first have to tell the program what drive your data files
are on. Press P and then B: <Enter> to do that; see below also.
In general you MUST keep your data files (all files with names ending in
.POR or .SMP) on a separate DATA diskette. To start a new data diskette,
insert a newly formatted diskette in drive B. If necessary, from the
Master Menu screen type P. When you are asked to enter the path (disk
drive and/or sub-directory) for data files, type B: <Enter>. After a
moment, the prompt "Are you starting a new data disk (Y=Yes, N=No)?"
will appear; reply Y. The program has recognized the empty diskette in
drive B and will automatically start asking you for information about
the first stock (or other type of security). For more information at
that time, press Esc and then press H for HELP.
The program always remembers the previous path for data files, so that
in the future, just insert your data diskette in drive B. Right after
the introductory screen, the program will go directly to the Master
Menu and show you what the current path is. You can change it any time.
WARNING: Do NOT switch data disks unless you see the Master Menu or you
are otherwise prompted to do so.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 5 OF 8
INSTALLATION ON A HARD DISK
Installation is the process of transferring the original of a program
onto a hard disk, and setting it up to operate with your particular
computer. Installation on a hard disk drive usually consists of three
steps: First, making a sub-directory; second, copying the required
files; and third, creating a batch file. The last step is optional but
still very desirable.
The Stock Charting System programs should reside in their own dedicated
sub-directory. This sub-directory may be called \SM or \STOCKS or \CHART
or whatever you want, up to 8 characters, but for explanatory purposes
here it will be called \SM3PROG (for Stock Market Release 3 Programs).
(See page 7 for information on sub-directories and how to make one).
Now make this the current sub-directory by typing CD \SM3PROG <Enter>.
This completes the first step.
Insert an original Stock Charting System diskette in Drive A. Copy all
the files to the hard disk by typing COPY A:*.* /V <Enter>. If your
version of the Stock Charting System was received on more than one disk-
ette, copy all files on EACH of them (in any order) to the hard disk.
You can omit the README and .DOC files. This completes the second step.
Getting the Stock Charting System to run will require several commands.
The next thing to do is to create a batch file to start the Stock Chart-
ing system. A batch file contains one or more DOS commands and has the
extension .BAT. When you type the name of a batch file, all the commands
in that batch file are executed, just as if you had typed them individu-
ally from the keyboard.
A batch file should reside in the root directory; so switch back there
by entering the command CD \ <Enter>. A file can be created by copying
directly from the keyboard (CON:) to that file on disk. Type the fol-
lowing commands:
COPY CON: SM3.BAT <Enter>
CD \SM3PROG <Enter>
GRAPHICS <Enter>
SM3 <Enter>
CD \ <Enter>
<F6> <Enter>
Leave out CD \ if you don't wish to return to the root directory upon
termination of the Stock Charting System. <F6> means press the F6 key
(this is a function key on the left side or the top of your keyboard).
You should see the message "1 file(s) copied" and the DOS prompt C>\.
The Stock Charting System can now be started from the root directory
with the single command SM3 <Enter>.
If GRAPHICS.COM is not found, you will get a "command not found" message
when trying to load it. It should be in the same directory as your DOS.
Your AUTOEXEC.BAT file should contain a PATH statement such as the fol-
lowing: PATH C:\DOS; C:\. If not, you will have to either add the PATH
statement to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, or copy the GRAPHICS.COM file to the
\SM3PROG directory. If GRAPHICS.COM is not loaded BEFORE you run the
Stock Charting System, the bar graphs will not be printed correctly; you
will get letters and numbers but no lines.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 6 OF 8
OPERATION FROM A HARD DISK
NOTE: In some Heath, Zenith and Tandy versions of DOS, the graphics
print program may have a different name, depending on the type of
printer you are using. Check your DOS manual, or see your dealer.
From your root directory, begin operation of the Stock Charting System
with the command SM3 <Enter>. In just a moment, the introductory screen
should appear! If you have not used these programs before, press the H
(for HELP) key for further instructions on how to use the system in gen-
eral. Then, press the Enter key to continue on to the Master Menu.
Some demonstration data files should be in the program sub-directory.
To work with these files, the path for data files should be the default
directory. If it isn't, press P and then <Enter> from the Master Menu.
Then press S to go to the Stock Select screen, and try out the various
functions.
Once the Stock Charting System is running, all instructions on how to
operate it are available from within the system itself. Note that you
can press the H (for HELP) key to get instructions from any screen that
has a menu. Please read the HELP screens; they will answer most of your
questions.
You should keep your data files (CATALOG.POR and all files with names
ending in .SMP) in their own sub-directory, to facilitate directory
management. It will be assumed here that data files are to reside in
a sub-directory called \SMDATA\. You can have up to 127 different
securities in each sub-directory, and you can have as many sub-direct-
ories as your disk drive has the space for!
From the Master Menu screen, press P (for PATH). When asked to enter
the path for data files, type \SMDATA\ <Enter>. Then use the S function
from the Master Menu to go to the Stock Select screen.
A "path" is a disk drive letter and/or sub-directory name, for example
B: or \SMDATA\ or C:\SM\FUNDS\. If you specify an invalid or non-
existing path, you will get an error message so you can try again.
Note: This is not related to the PATH command in DOS.
Since the new sub-directory doesn't have a catalog (file CATALOG.POR),
you will be asked, "Are you starting a new data disk (Y=Yes, N=No)?".
Reply Y and the program will create the catalog and automatically start
asking you for information about the first stock (or other type of secur-
ity). For more information at that time, press Esc and then press H
for HELP.
The program always remembers the previously entered path for data files.
So, right after the introductory screen the program will continue dir-
ectly to the Master Menu. You can change the path for data files at any
time by using the P function.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 7 OF 8
WHAT IS A "SUB-DIRECTORY", AND HOW TO MAKE ONE
A hard disk can contain hundreds of files, which could make management
of its directory very difficult. Therefore a hard disk usually contains
a "root" directory and a number of "sub-directories", organized in a
"tree" structure. The root directory is the main directory and is always
present. It is like the trunk of a tree, and can contain any number of
sub-directories, which are like branches of a tree. Also, sub-direc-
tories can contain other sub-directories, up to many different levels
just like the many branches of a tree.
Another way to look at it is, the root directory on a disk is like the
master index to a big book, and the sub-directory is like the index to
an individual chapter. It is recommended to keep the directory structure
simple, with only one sub-directory level if possible. Floppy diskettes
can also have sub-directories but usually they don't - while hard disks,
with their larger capacity, usually do.
Usually, sub-directories contain individual categories of programs or
other files. For example word processing programs can be in one sub-
directory, documents in another, spreadsheets in another, etc. Ideally,
the root directory should contain only sub-directories, batch files and
certain other system files; DOS usually resides in its own sub-directory
with the appropriate name of \DOS\.
The Stock Charting System programs should reside in their own dedicated
sub-directory. To make a sub-directory, first make the root directory
active by typing CD \ <Enter>. Note the back-slash (\) is different from
the regular forward slash (/). Sub-directory names are just like any
other file names except they always start with the back-slash (\). The
root directory has no name and is just called \.
Sub-directory names must be unique within the directory that contains
them. To look at sub-directory names, use DIR /W <Enter>. Sub-direc-
tories are identified by the caption <DIR>. It is permissible for a
sub-directory name to be the same as a file name, for example SM3 can
exist as a directory and again as a batch file such as SM3.BAT.
Now enter the DOS command to "Make a Directory". Type in MD \xxx <Enter>
where xxx denotes a name 1 to 8 characters in length - for example type
MD \SM3PROG <Enter>. For best results, use only letters and/or numerals.
If no error message appears and the DOS prompt C> re-appears, the sub-
directory now exists. While you are at it, you can make another sub-
directory for data files, for example type MD \SMDATA <Enter>. To make
the program sub-directory active, type CD \SM3PROG <Enter>.
WARNING: If you are not in the ROOT directory when you make a sub-direc-
tory, that sub-directory will be under the CURRENT directory that is
active at that time. For example, if the current directory is \SM3PROG
and you make a sub-directory called \SMDATA, you will have to enter the
entire path name \SM3PROG\SMDATA\ in order to get to it. It's usually
better to keep things as simple as possible.
If you can't find your data sub-directory, it may have been placed acci-
dentally in another sub-directory rather than in the root directory.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 8 OF 8
PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS FEATURES
This release of the Stock Charting System contains a built-in portfolio
"manager". The author also has another software product known as the
Personal Portfolio Analyzer. The two products have some common features
such as the ability to manage any number of different portfolios and a
similar user interface for adding securities and for buying and selling.
The differences are: the portfolio manager in the Stock Charting System
takes security prices directly from the stock charts and is designed
specifically to calculate portfolio total return over any time period
for which market values are available. The Personal Portfolio Analyzer
requires user data entry of current prices; but it has income and tax
analysis and budgeting features which the Stock Charting System doesn't
have. Thus, it is a stand-alone program, fully functional in itself.
If you don't have the Personal Portfolio Analyzer, you can get more
information about it directly from the author. The rest of the informa-
tion on this page will not apply to you.
If you are using the Personal Portfolio Analyzer, this version of the
Stock Charting System can read and use its catalog file. The reverse
is also true; the Portfolio Analyzer can read and use the Stock Charting
System's catalog file. Thus, a high degree of integration can be main-
tained between the two program products.
For this to happen, two conditions MUST be met: First, all DATA files
for BOTH systems must be in the SAME directory (or on the same disk-
ette); and second, you MUST have Release 2.12 or a later version of the
Personal Portfolio Analyzer. If you have Release 2.04, 2,10 or 2.11,
you MUST upgrade because those versions have a "gremlin" that may des-
troy certain data items the Stock Charting System uses from the catalog.
This upgrade is FREE to REGISTERED users of both program products - just
ask for it if you don't already have it.
Once those two conditions are met, any security you add in the Stock
Charting System will automatically appear in the Personal Portfolio
Analyzer, and vice versa. There are a few data items (such as taxabil-
ity and earnings) that are used in only one of the programs, and you may
have to switch to the other program product to enter those items.
If you have TWO catalog files in separate directories, there is no way
at the present time to have the computer combine them into a single cat-
alog. It is recommended to use the one from the Stock Charting System
and then manually type in any missing entries from the other catalog.
Also, copy your portfolios into the Stock Charting System's directory.
The maximum number of catalog entries is limited to 127. If that isn't
enough, you can have any number of separate catalogs in different direc-
tories. Thus you could have a separate catalog (in a different direc-
tory) for municipal bonds, treasury bills and other securities for which
you don't want to maintain price history files.
README.DOC
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3
To obtain directions on how to get these programs running, first make sure you
are in DOS. You should see the prompt A> (or C> if you are on a hard disk).
Remove your DOS diskette and insert the Stock Charting System STARTUP diskette
in drive A. Turn on your printer and make sure it is ready to print. Most
printers have a ready light, and it should be on. Then type one of the follow-
ing commands:
COPY A:NEWUSER.DOC LPT1: (if you are a new user)
COPY A:UPGRADE.DOC LPT1: (if you are upgrading from any previous
version which you have been using)
COPY A:INSTALL.DOC LPT1: (if none of the above files are on your disk)
and press the ENTER key. Eight pages of information will be printed, and the
output will be paginated with pages numbered. All other user documentation
is available from within the Stock Charting System itself, in the form of
context-sensitive HELP screens.
UPGRADE.DOC
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 (SHAREWARE VERSION) PAGE 1 OF 8
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR UPDATING FROM A PREVIOUS VERSION ONLY
(C) Copyright 1988-91 Charles L. Pack - All Rights Reserved
WRITTEN BY: Charles L. Pack
25303 La Loma Drive, Los Altos Hills, CA. 94022
Phone: (415) 949-0887 (no collect calls please)
Permission is granted to try out this software, to make backup copies,
and to copy and share it with others. License for use is granted ONLY
to individual persons who have registered directly with the author.
Clubs, user groups and other institutions are authorized to distribute
this software COMPLETE and UN-ALTERED for a "disk fee" not to exceed
$25.00. The author makes no warranties or guarantees, express or im-
plied, and makes no recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Suggestions and comments are welcome, and may be submitted directly to
the author at the above address.
NOTE: This document pertains ONLY to those who are UPGRADING from an
earlier version which has already been in use. For NEW USERS, print or
display the document NEWUSER.DOC and follow those instructions instead.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
This version of the Stock Charting System requires either TWO floppy
drives or one floppy drive AND a hard drive. A color graphics adapter
(CGA, EGA or VGA) or equivalent is required for displaying or printing
bar and line charts. The IBM PS/1 and PS/2, and some other computers
with VGA graphics, will require a color monitor. An Epson-compatible
graphics printer is required for printing the charts. IBM DOS or PC-DOS
version 2.0 or later versions are supported.
This program is compatible with the Personal Portfolio Analyzer, Release
2.12 or later. Data files for BOTH programs may exist on the same dir-
ectory, and both programs can use the same catalog (list of securities).
Therefore any security that exists in one program can automatically exist
in the other. WARNING: If you have an earlier version of the Personal
Portfolio Analyzer, you MUST upgrade to Release 2.12. See page 8 for
more information.
SPECIAL INFORMATION ABOUT HERCULES GRAPHICS
If you are using a computer equipped with a Hercules or equivalent
"monographics" display, you MUST have a special software simulator to
display the bar charts. That software is NOT a part of the Stock
Charting System. The author recommends a product called HGCIBM.COM,
which is available as user-supported software from many "shareware"
distributors. The instructions for use with HGCIBM.COM are not inclu-
ded in this document, but they will come with that product, and you
should follow those instructions for installation.
NOTE: The HGCIBM.COM program must be installed - with the required
software switch settings - BEFORE starting the Stock Charting System.
It makes no difference whether it is installed before or after GRAPHICS
is loaded. Also, it should be "un-installed" after you are finished,
if you are running other programs that use Hercules graphics directly.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 2 OF 8
HOW TO GET THE STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM RUNNING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
In this document, abbreviations are used to denote certain actions. The
< > symbols indicate a particular key to be pressed, for example <Enter>
means "press the Enter key". The Enter key is used to indicate you are
finished entering a command or a data item. <Enter> need not be pre-
ceeded by a space even though it is done in this document for clarity.
Some keys, such as the Esc (escape) and Ctrl (control) keys, may be in
different positions on different keyboards. You may have to look, or
consult your computer operations manual to find them. The Enter key has
a funny hooked arrow on it. The Ctrl key is usually near the left side.
The Esc key is usually in or near the top row. It can be used to get
out of virtually any situation you don't want to be in.
Commands typed into DOS may be in uppercase (CAPITAL letters) or lower-
case; for example COPY, Copy and copy are all interpreted in the same
way. In this document, commands will be shown in uppercase.
The Stock Charting System may use the DOS system date as a default param-
eter, and also to compute trading periods when adding a new security.
Therefore, it is important to enter the correct date when the computer
is started. From the DOS prompt A> or C>, type DATE <Enter>. If the
date is incorrect, type in a new date in the format mm/dd/yy, for exam-
ple 12/15/90 <Enter>.
If you have a hard disk, you must install your program on the hard disk
before running it. Instructions for hard disk installation begin on
page 5.
OPERATION FROM FLOPPY DISKETTES
The first and most important thing for you to do is to MAKE A WORKING
COPY. The original copy of the Stock Charting System has (or, should
have!) write-protect tabs on it to prevent accidentally writing over it.
DO NOT try to use the original copy - keep that for backup! Make at
least one working copy of the Stock Charting System and then put the
original in a safe place other than where your computer is. This place
should be free of magnetic fields generated by vacuum cleaners, etc.
You will need a working copy diskette for each original STARTUP or
PROGRAM diskette you have received.
Make a working copy of each STARTUP and PROGRAM diskette. Normally you
can use the DISKCOPY program in DOS. However if the two diskettes have
different capacities you will have to use FORMAT and then COPY. Make
sure all diskettes are labelled correctly, and then skip to the last
heading on page 3 (you need this in order to print graphs).
Beginning at the top of the next page are more detailed instructions on
how to format and copy diskettes, using commands already on your DOS
diskette.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 3 OF 8
HOW TO FORMAT DISKETTES
Insert your DOS diskette in drive A and make sure the A> prompt is visi-
ble. Insert a diskette to be formatted in drive B. This can be either a
new diskette, or one that doesn't have any data you want to keep. Now
type the following command:
FORMAT B: <Enter>
You will get a message telling you to insert a diskette in drive B.
WARNING: Any data on the diskette in drive B is about to be erased!
Reply Y <Enter> to begin formatting. When formatting has completed,
you will be asked if you want to format another diskette. Repeat the
process until you have all the newly formatted diskettes you will need.
Then reply N <Enter> to return to the DOS prompt.
*** WARNING! *** NEVER use FORMAT by itself. That will format your
DOS diskette, and wipe out your DOS!
HOW TO COPY FROM ONE DISKETTE TO ANOTHER
Make sure the DOS prompt A> is visible. Remove your DOS diskette from
drive A and insert the source diskette (the one you wish to copy) in
drive A. Insert the target diskette (the newly formatted diskette you
are copying TO) in drive B. Then type the following command:
COPY *.* B: <Enter>
This copies all of the individual files from the diskette in the default
drive (drive A) onto the working diskette in drive B. Make sure your
working diskette is properly labelled, and repeat the above process for
each original STARTUP or PROGRAM diskette you have received. DO not put
write-protect tabs on either the working copies of the STARTUP and
PROGRAM diskettes or on any data diskettes you plan to use.
YOU NEED THIS IN ORDER TO PRINT GRAPHS!
Insert your DOS diskette in drive A and make sure the prompt A> is visi-
ble. Insert the WORKING COPY of your STARTUP diskette in drive B. (The
STARTUP diskette has the files SM3.EXE and BRUN30.EXE on it). This
special program, which should be on your DOS diskette, is required in
order to print bar and line charts. Issue the following command from
the keyboard:
COPY GRAPHICS.* B: <Enter>
Note: In some versions of DOS - especially those from Tandy and Zenith -
the graphics print program may be called by another name. Refer to your
DOS manual, or consult with your dealer's service department.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 4 OF 8
OPERATION FROM FLOPPY DISKETTES (continued)
If you want to print bar and line graphs, you must run the GRAPHICS pro-
gram BEFORE starting the Stock Charting System. From the DOS prompt A>,
with your DOS diskette in drive A, type GRAPHICS <Enter>. This loads
into memory the program that will be used by the Stock Charting System
to print graphs. The prompt A> will return quickly.
Now remove any diskette in drive A and insert a WORKING COPY of the
STARTUP diskette (the one with SM3.EXE and BRUN30.EXE on it). If there
is only one diskette, insert that one. Do NOT try to start with any
other diskette. Type SM3 <Enter>. In just a moment the introductory
screen will appear!
Press the Enter key to get out of the introductory screen. The program
will automatically prompt you to insert a PROGRAM diskette when it is
needed; insert PROGRAM #1 for stock charting or PROGRAM #2 for portfolio
management if you have both. You should now see the Master Menu screen!
Important: If you plan to use the portfolio analysis feature, insert
PROGRAM #2 first, if you have two program diskettes.
Once the system is running, all instructions on how to operate it are
available from within the system itself. Note that you can press the H
(for HELP) key to get instructions from any screen that has a menu.
Please read the HELP screens; they will answer most of your questions
and explain all of the new features of the system.
There should be some demonstration data files on the STARTUP diskette.
To work with these files, insert the STARTUP diskette in drive B (if you
don't have a separate STARTUP diskette, ignore that step and leave your
startup/program diskette in drive A). Then press S from the Master Menu
to go to the Stock Select screen and try out the various menu functions.
NOTE: You may first have to tell the program what drive your data files
are on. Press P and then B: <Enter> to do that; see below also.
In the Stock Charting System, Release 3.0 and later, generally you MUST
keep your data files (all files with names ending in .SMX, .SMP or .POR)
on a separate DATA diskette. You can use your old price history files
from any previous version of the system. To do this, first make sure
you are in the Master Menu; do NOT switch data diskettes at any other
time unless prompted to do so. Insert your old DATA diskette in drive
B. If necessary, press P and then B: <enter> to tell the system where
your data is. Now press S, and momentarily the Stock Select screen
should appear.
Turn to Page 7 of this document now for information on using your old
existing data files.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 5 OF 8
UPGRADING FROM AN OLDER VERSION ON A HARD DISK
This assumes you want to replace your old copy of the Stock Charting
System with the new version. If you want to keep the old version intact,
install the new one in a separate sub-directory such as \SM3PROG. You
would then skip this next step, which will delete the old program files.
Get into DOS, as indicated by the prompt C>. Make the sub-directory that
contains the Stock Charting System PROGRAMS the currently active direc-
tory. For example use the command CD \SM <Enter>. Use the DIR command
to make sure you are in the correct directory. Now type in the follow-
ing commands:
ERASE *.BAT <Enter> (old batch files)
ERASE *.DOC <Enter> (old documentation)
ERASE SM*.CTL <Enter> (setup files)
ERASE SM*.BAS <Enter> (2.3 & earlier programs)
ERASE SM*.EXE <Enter> (2.40 & later programs)
ERASE SM*.H* <Enter> (old HELP screens)
ERASE RELEASE*.* <Enter> (old release number)
Note: the .CTL file may be absent if you were using a version earlier
than 1.7. Re-check with the DIR command to make sure you deleted the
correct files. Do NOT delete any old data files you want to keep, but
MAKE SURE THEY ARE BACKED UP. (Data files include all files with the
extensions .POR, .SMP or .SMX).
Now, insert the original copy of the Stock Charting System (Release 3.1)
in drive A. You will need to copy some, but not all, of the files onto
your hard disk. Type in the following commands:
COPY A:SM*.CTL /V <Enter>
COPY A:SM*.EXE /V <Enter>
COPY A:SM*.HLP /V <Enter>
COPY A:RELEASE*.* /V <Enter>
If you received the Stock Charting System on more than one diskette,
repeat the above procedure for EACH diskette; it doesn't matter which
one is copied first. Some files may be duplicated on more than one
diskette. This was done to facilitate operation without a hard disk
and will not affect the installation procedure.
Note: an old copy of SMSETUP3.CTL will not work with the new version of
the program. If you try to use the old SMSETUP3.CTL, you will get an
error message saying the file is defective, and the program won't run.
Don't copy any of the sample data files (CATALOG.POR and files with the
extension .SMP). This will wipe out existing data files you may want
to keep.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 6 OF 8
UPGRADING FROM AN OLDER VERSION ON A HARD DISK (continued)
If you are upgrading from Release 2.55 or earlier, you will have to mod-
ify the batch (.BAT) file which starts the program. It is suggested you
call it SM3.BAT. For best results, it should be located in the root
directory of your hard disk (C:\) and not in a sub-directory. To create
a new batch file, enter the following commands (substitute the correct
path for \SM):
COPY CON: SM3.BAT <enter>
CD \SM <enter>
GRAPHICS <enter>
SM3 <enter>
CD \ <enter>
<F6> <enter>
<F6> means "press the function key labelled F6". It is on the left side
or in the top row of your keyboard.
If you want to print bar or line graphs, you must run the GRAPHICS pro-
gram - which should be in your DOS directory - BEFORE starting the Stock
Charting System. This loads into memory the program that is used by the
Stock Charting System to print graphics. In the above example you must
either have a copy of GRAPHICS in the Stock Charting System PROGRAM dir-
ectory, or have an entry in a PATH statement in your batch (.BAT) file,
or otherwise supply the path to where GRAPHICS is.
If the above batch file doesn't give you correct printed graphics (some
letters and numbers but no lines) - and you don't understand the prev-
ious paragraph, proceed as follows: First, find out where GRAPHICS is
located. Usually, when you buy a computer with a hard disk, the dealer
sets it up for you. Look for a directory called \DOS; the GRAPHICS pro-
gram should be in that directory. If \DOS doesn't exist, GRAPHICS may
be in the root directory, or perhaps in a directory called \UTIL. You
should find an entry named GRAPHICS.EXE or GRAPHICS.COM.
Once you find GRAPHICS, note what directory it's in. Let's say it's in
a directory called \DOS which you get to by typing CD \DOS from the root
directory. (The root directory is C:\ - it has no name). Now you need
to alter the batch file in the example above so that GRAPHICS is quali-
fied by the correct path - for example \DOS\GRAPHICS. Now it should
work!
If your printer gives you a lot of unrecognizable gibberish, there is a
compatibility problem. Your printer should have a mode that emulates
the Epson command set. Most printers have such a mode. If you are using
a Hewlett-Packard DeskJet printer, it will need a special plug-in car-
tridge. Your printer dealer should be able to help resolve almost any
compatibility problem.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 7 OF 8
USING YOUR OLD ALREADY-EXISTING DATA FILES (STOCK CHARTS)
In Release 3.0 and later versions of the Stock Charting System, normally
you MUST keep your data files (all files with names ending in .SMX, .SMP
or .POR) in a separate directory or on a separate diskette from your
programs. You CAN use your old price history files (files with names
ending in .SMP) from any previous version of the Stock Charting System.
If you are upgrading from Release 2.5 or earlier, you CANNOT use the
list of stocks (file INDEXFIL.SMX). You will have to start a new cata-
log and re-add all of your securities. (Registered users get a feature
that can automatically convert the list of stocks to the new CATALOG.POR
file format.)
To start a new catalog, first make sure you are in the Master Menu.
If you are running from floppy diskettes, insert your existing DATA
diskette in drive B:. Do NOT switch data diskettes at any other time
unless prompted to do so. If not already done earlier, press P and then
enter the path for your data - for example B: <Enter> or \SMDATA\
<Enter>. If no catalog is found in that directory (even if .SMX and
.SMP files already exist), the program will ask if you wish to start a
new data disk. Reply Y for Yes. A Stock Select screen will appear and
you can start adding securities.
Release 3.0 and later versions of the Stock Charting System will use and
maintain CATALOG.POR but will ignore INDEXFIL.SMX. Release 2.5 and old-
er versions use INDEXFIL.SMX but will ignore CATALOG.POR. You can still
run the old stock charting system if you wish.
The index file (INDEXFIL.SMX) and the catalog file (CATALOG.POR) each
serve the same purpose - they contain the list of securities which you
see on the Stock Select screen. But the catalog file contains more in-
formation, and affords compatibility with portfolio analysis features.
Those features need some information (such as security type) which the
older stock charting programs don't use. See Page 8 of this document
for more information.
STOCK CHARTING SYSTEM - RELEASE 3.1 PAGE 8 OF 8
PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS FEATURES
This release of the Stock Charting System contains a built-in portfolio
"manager". The author also has another software product known as the
Personal Portfolio Analyzer. The two products have some common features
such as the ability to manage any number of different portfolios and a
similar user interface for adding securities and for buying and selling.
The differences are: the portfolio manager in the Stock Charting System
takes security prices directly from the stock charts and is designed
specifically to calculate portfolio total return over any time period
for which market values are available. The Personal Portfolio Analyzer
requires user data entry of current prices; but it has income and tax
analysis and budgeting features which the Stock Charting System doesn't
have. Thus, it is a stand-alone program, fully functional in itself.
If you don't have the Personal Portfolio Analyzer, you can get more
information about it directly from the author. The rest of the informa-
tion on this page will not apply to you.
If you are using the Personal Portfolio Analyzer, this version of the
Stock Charting System can read and use its catalog file. The reverse
is also true; the Portfolio Analyzer can read and use the Stock Charting
System's catalog file. Thus, a high degree of integration can be main-
tained between the two program products.
For this to happen, two conditions MUST be met: First, all DATA files
for BOTH systems must be in the SAME directory (or on the same disk-
ette); and second, you MUST have Release 2.12 or a later version of the
Personal Portfolio Analyzer. If you have Release 2.04, 2,10 or 2.11,
you MUST upgrade because those versions have a "gremlin" that may des-
troy certain data items the Stock Charting System uses from the catalog.
This upgrade is FREE to REGISTERED users of both program products - just
ask for it if you don't already have it.
Once those two conditions are met, any security you add in the Stock
Charting System will automatically appear in the Personal Portfolio
Analyzer, and vice versa. There are a few data items (such as taxabil-
ity and earnings) that are used in only one of the programs, and you may
have to switch to the other program product to enter those items.
If you have TWO catalog files in separate directories, there is no way
at the present time to have the computer combine them into a single cat-
alog. It is suggested to use the catalog file from the Stock Charting
System. Any missing entries that are in the other catalog can be added
again. Move your portfolio files into the Stock Charting System's data
directory.
The maximum number of catalog entries is limited to 127. If that isn't
enough, you can have any number of separate catalogs in different direc-
tories. Thus you could have a separate catalog (in a different direc-
tory) for municipal bonds, treasury bills and other securities for which
you don't want to maintain price history files.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #2828
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
SMSETUP3 CTL 128 7-15-91
CATALOG POR 16384 7-15-91
DEMOFILE POR 16384 7-15-91
DABT SMP 10240 7-15-91
DDJIND SMP 10240 7-15-91
DEK SMP 10240 7-15-91
DSCE SMP 10240 7-15-91
WABT SMP 4096 7-15-91
WDJIND SMP 4096 7-15-91
WEK SMP 4096 7-15-91
WSCE SMP 4096 7-15-91
SM3 EXE 17889 7-15-91
BRUN30 EXE 70680 4-07-87 10:48a
SMSTART3 HLP 7709 7-15-91
SMPINFO3 HLP 4959 7-15-91
NEWUSER DOC 26299 7-15-91
UPGRADE DOC 23721 7-15-91
README DOC 1013 7-15-91
RELEASE3 11 182 7-15-91
GO BAT 32 8-28-91 11:30p
FILE2828 TXT 1555 9-10-91 1:03p
21 file(s) 244279 bytes
71680 bytes free