DESCRIPTION OF THE MASTER MENU SCREEN - RELEASE 2.55                PAGE 1 OF 5

Note that in the Master Menu screen, the current path (drive letter and/or sub-
directory) for data files is shown in reverse video under the "Specify path"
option about 1/2 of the way up from the bottom of the display.  Data can be on
a different diskette or in a different sub-directory from programs.

While the Master Menu screen is displayed, it is OK to switch DATA diskettes in
the same drive without invoking the SPECIFY PATH function.  DO NOT switch data
diskettes at any other time unless you are asked to by the program.  Failure to
heed this rule may result in damage to your index files.

On the next HELP screen pages you will find a description of each of the
different functions that can be invoked from the Master Menu screen.

Note:  The Master Menu controls only those functions which do not pertain to a
specific stock.  For any operation that does affect a particular stock, you
press the A key to go to the Stock Select Screen first, and then select the
stock you wish to work with.  From there you can update the selected price
history file either manually or from an external ASCII file, and draw the bar
graphs.  In general, the Master Menu is used only for the more general func-
tions, one of which is to update ALL stocks from an external ASCII file.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MASTER MENU SCREEN                               PAGE 2 OF 5

W = update volume and prices for ONE date, for ALL stocks (or other securities)
    which are tracked WEEKLY.
D = update volume and prices for ONE date, for ALL stocks (or other securities)
    which are tracked DAILY.

Each of the above functions allows either manual updating (from the keyboard),
or "importing" current data from an external ASCII file.  Either function will
take you to another screen, with another menu at the bottom of the display.
That menu has its own HELP function which you should use for more information
about current price and volume updates.

Note that you cannot update current prices on both weekly- and daily-updated
price history files simultaneously.  Also note that you CANNOT update current
or historical prices directly from a spreadsheet or database file.  Those are
not ASCII files.  In general, you must first use your spreadsheet, database or
communications program to create a print file on disk. A print file is an ASCII
file, but files with names ending in .WKS, .WK1, .CAL, .DBF, and so on are NOT
ASCII files.  Refer to the users' manual for your spreadsheet, database or com-
munications program to find out how to create an ASCII print file.  Usually,
ASCII files have names ending in .ASC, .PRN or .TXT.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MASTER MENU SCREEN                               PAGE 3 OF 5

Note:  the W and D functions are used to update MANY stocks for just a SINGLE
date.  To update just ONE stock for historical prices for MANY days or weeks,
press A to go to the Stock Select Screen (see below), select the stock you wish
to update, press E (for data ENTRY), and then press I (for IMPORT).  If the
stock you want to update is not shown on the screen (and is not on another disk
or in another sub-directory), you can move the selector bar to where you want
it to appear and then press A to ADD it to the index first.

A = ADD or delete a stock.  This function takes you to another screen which
    lists all the stocks (or other securities) on the current data disk or in
    the current data sub-directory.  This screen has two purposes: first, to
    select a stock for data input or graphics; and second, to add or delete a
    stock or make changes to stock data other than volume and prices.  This
    screen has its own HELP function for more information.

    Note:  You can have more than one data disk or sub-directory.  Each one
    will have its own list of stocks, called the index (file INDEXFIL.SMX).
    An index file can only pertain to the corresponding price history files
    (files with names ending in .SMP) that are on the SAME disk and in the
    SAME sub-directory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MASTER MENU SCREEN                               PAGE 4 OF 5

S = SPECIFY the path (the disk drive and/or sub-directory) for data files.
    Data files may optionally be on a separate diskette or in a separate sub-
    directory from the Stock Charting System programs.  To change the path,
    use the SPECIFY function which will give examples and ask you to enter the
    path name.

    If your data is on the SAME diskette or in the SAME sub-directory as the
    programs, press the Enter key by itself to specify the "default" directory.
    Enter a drive specification (such as B:) only if data is on a different
    physical drive.  If data is on the same drive, but in a different sub-
    directory, don't enter the drive specifier, but just enter the path name
    (such as \STOCKS\ or \SM\DATA\).  Remember, you need the backslash charac-
    ters on both sides (the program won't accept \STOCKS, for example).

    The program looks to see if you entered a drive specifier, in order to de-
    termine if and when to give you a message to switch diskettes.  If you
    always enter the drive specifier, you may get redundant messages.




DESCRIPTION OF THE MASTER MENU SCREEN                               PAGE 5 OF 5

V = VIDEO DISPLAY function.  This is where you select the color schemes for
    text and graphics display.  The color schemes are shown graphically and you
    select by number.  The screen colors will change when you return back to
    the Master Menu.

H = HELP screen; displays the information you are reading now.

Q = QUIT the Stock Charting System and immediately return to DOS.
