Business Assistant/Business Assistant.iso/stock/ibmdisk5/smgraph3.hlp

Text File | 1992-02-08 | 8KB | 176 lines

DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN            SM3.02            PAGE 1 OF 8

To display a graph from the Master Menu, press S to display the Stock
Select screen.  Select the security you want to chart, then press G.

The kinds of charts that are displayed, which of the three possible mov-
ing averages are displayed, and other calculation options are activated
from the Graphic Option screen.  To see the Graphic Option screen press
the alphabetic "O" key from the graph screen.

The graphics color scheme is chosen from the Master Menu by invoking the
VIDEO function.  The graphics color scheme is chosen after first selec-
ting the text color scheme, which is not related to graphics.  If you
have chosen graphics color "0" (monochrome), you will see the "high-
resolution" display which has a maximum capacity of about 590 elements
or 80 columns of text.  If you chose any other graphics color, you will
see a "medium-resolution" display which has a maximum capacity of about
270 elements or 40 columns of text, and will be in color.

All graphics options remain effective until they are changed again.



DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 2 OF 8

At the top of the bar chart, the caption "P/E=xxxx" shows the Price/
Earnings ratio, "YLD=xxxx" shows the yield and "xx% TO xx%" shows the
low and high annualized potential return.  These calculations are based
on earnings, income and 3-5 year price goals.  In addition, the Beta and
buy/sell targets are displayed on high-resolution charts.

Earnings, dividends, price goals, Beta and buy/sell targets are entered
in the View Screen for Individual Securities.  To see that screen, from
the Master Menu type S to see the Stock Select screen.  Then select the
security you want and press C.

The captions "max=" and "min=" on the lower right identify the maximum
and minimum sales volumes that are represented on the chart.  Volume is
in thousands of shares, except where "M" denotes millions of shares.

The caption "obv" indicates on-balance volume.  The caption "osc" indi-
cates an oscillator (the difference between closing price and moving
average).  The caption "xover" indicates a crossover (the difference
between two moving averages).


DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 3 OF 8

Consider the chart you see on the screen to be a graphic "window" into
an overall chart, depicting the entire price history of the selected
security.  The 0-9 keys vary the horizontal spacing between the data
elements (vertical bars), and thus the amount of data that is visible.
A larger number increases the spacing (0 is the same as 10); a smaller
number decreases it.  This effectively allows you to "zoom" in and out.

The + and - keys are used to "move" the window horizontally across the
overall chart.  To move to the left (to earlier dates) press the - key;
to move to the right (to later dates) press the + key.  In summary the
0-9 keys vary the density of information you see in the window while the
+ and - keys "move" the window to different date ranges.  The number
scales on the right are adjusted automatically by the computer and apply
to what you see on the screen, but not necessarily to the overall chart.







DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 4 OF 8

The bottom line on the chart is an abbreviated menu.  In addition to the
0-9 and + and - functions described earlier, the menu functions include:

E = ENTER historical data.  This will display the historical Data Entry
    screen and moving averages.  The purpose of this screen is to view,
    enter and correct historical volume and prices for any dates.  This
    screen is also used to calculate moving averages and to process
    stock splits and fund distributions.

M = MOVING averages.  This is a "short-cut" key which invokes the his-
    torical Data Entry screen and automatically prompts you to enter
    or change moving average periods.  You can have three different
    moving averages, each with a different period.

    NOTE: Moving averages must be CALCULATED before they can be dis-
    played.  When you specify a non-zero moving average period, that
    signals the program to calculate and to continue maintaining that
    moving average until its period is changed again.



DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 5 OF 8

O = OPTIONS.  This will display the Graphics Option screen, from which
    you select the type of graphics display you want.

    NOTE: Before a moving average line can be displayed on a bar graph,
    it must be SELECTED from the Graphics Option screen.  You can select
    any or all of the three possible moving averages, and if they are
    being calculated and maintained (refer back to the M function), they
    will be displayed.

X or Esc = EXIT back to the Stock Select screen.

Q = QUIT and return to the DOS prompt or your menu system.

H = HELP - displays the user manual chapter you are reading now.

P = PRINT - this function is described next.





DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 6 OF 8

The PRINT function is to print the chart on an Epson FX-80 or compatible
printer.  While you could print the chart by pressing Shift-PrtSc on
your keyboard, it's better to use the PRINT function because it will re-
place the menu line on the bottom with more useful information.  After
printing, the menu line is restored.

Make sure the printer is on line first, and that its "ready" light is
glowing.  Printing will begin on the paper at the current position of
the print head.  The process should take about a minute or less on most
printers.  The bar graph may print "right side up" and will occupy about
60% of the page height.  (With some later versions of DOS, the graph may
print sideways).  Once printing has started, it cannot be interrupted
with the Esc key.  When chart printing is complete, you have the option
of having the program eject the page or ejecting or spacing it manually.

The GRAPHICS program, which is a part of DOS version 2.0 and later, must
be run BEFORE starting the Stock Charting System.  The actual printing
is done by invoking Interrupt 5 in DOS (the same as what happens when
you press the Shift-PrtSc keys).


DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 7 OF 8

WARNING:  Color printing is not supported on most printers.  Colors will
be shown in lighter shades of grey.  Printing may not work well if the
background color is not black (color choices 0, 1 or 2).  The color
schemes can be set from the Master Menu screen with the VIDEO function.

If you get letters and numbers but no lines, the problem is the GRAPHICS
module is not resident in memory.  GRAPHICS must be loaded BEFORE the
Stock Charting System is run.

If you get a bar graph that is broken up - usually with horizontal blank
lines interspersed with the graphics - the problem could be incorrect
printer setup.  If your printer has an internal line feed switch, it
should be turned off. Refer to the printer manual, or visit your dealer.

Most printers have an IBM or EPSON compatibility mode; this mode should
be activated before trying to print a chart.  Some printers may require
a special ROM chip; check with your dealer.  If you can get a correct
graphics image with the Shift-PrtSc keys, your printer is compatible.



DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPH SCREEN                              PAGE 8 OF 8

If you are using a Hewlett-Packard or other laser printer, the DOS 4.0
or earlier GRAPHICS program won't work.  You will need to substitute a
laser print-screen program.  This program should come with your laser
printer.

If you are using a Hewlett-Packard DeskJet printer, you will need a
special Epson Emulation Cartridge which plugs into a slot on the top
right side of your printer.  This cartridge retails for about $95; see
your dealer.

Print-screen programs for laser and other types of printers are also
available from public domain and shareware libraries.