With the administrative tools you can maintain the user ID and password, and you can delete old data, and update data from the databases.
The window shown, contains 3 pages. It's like the pages in a notebook. You select between the pages, by clicking the mouse on the top note tab with the name of the page. Let's look at the different options:
User preferences.
Here you can set up a couple of things that has consequence for how the rest of the program works.
Base database.
You can use this drop down list to change between portfolios and bank setups - the data is stored in databases, and by switching databases you have the possibility to work with multiple portfolios.
By default there are 2 databases you can use. The standard INV database in which you can store your own portfolio and bank accounts/transactions. Also Amateur Invest comes with a DEM (for demo) database, in which a fictitious portfolio and bank accounts/transactions have been entered. You switch between the databases by using this setting.
Next to the drop down list of selectable base databases, you'll can see a small "M" button. This can be used to create new portfolio & bank databases. In these new databases, you can then manage other sets of portfolios and bank accounts. In the new window (manage portfolios) when you add a portfolio, you are asked for a 3 letter code. Use any letters you like, that tell you something about the data you wish to enter. E.g. DEM is the default demo database, and INV is the default master database of Amateur Invest. You could e.g. write your initials or special dates, eg. 068 for first half of 2008. When the new database is created, you can select it as the base database as described above.
When you change database / portfolio, you'll be asked if you wish to work with the latest prices. If you choose yes to latest prices, the latest prices that has been downloaded will be used in the portfolio window and in the profit/loss calculation. If you choose no, the prices that were updated, when you updated that portfolio last, will be used. If you do not update prices for the choosen portfolio, the prices will remain untouched. - In that way, you can save the value of a portfolio at a given time.
Number of bank days.
This is the base number of days, that the banks at your location use to issue interest prices. The number can be 360 or 365.
Base conversion ratio.
Some countries use one measure for the stock prices, while they use another for buying and selling stock. E.g. in the UK, you use pennies for stock prices, but you buy and sell in pounds. To be able to see the performance of your portfolio, you can change this setting according to your location.
Base currency.
This setting is used to control, which currency is the "base currency" for Amateur Invest. This is useful if you buy securities in different countries and thus in different currencies. Your portfolio will then be valued correctly, by converting foreign currencies to the base currency.
Changing the base currency, forces a recalculation of all the currencies in the currency database - changing it repeatedly, may lead to rounding errors. For further details, please go to the currency menu.
Amateur Invest remembers the currency setting, when you do a full reload of data via the import/export window. The base currency is switched back, when the reload has completed.
Base language.
This setting can be used to switch between different languages within Amateur Invest. All messages and texts in the program are then shown in the language chosen. This setting is usually set to a correct default value for your location.
Color.
Here you can set the backgroundcolor of the main window. You can choose between predefined colors or set your own color.
Timer interval / Timer alert.
These two settings, makes an automatic download of prices via internet possible.
This is useful, if you have an internet connection, that is open most of the time, since you will get notified, if a price comes within an interval that you choose by yourself.
By setting the timer interval to "manual", you must download prices, by pushing the button in the import/export window.
By setting the timer interval to e.g. 15 minutes, every 15th. minute prices will automatically be downloaded via the internet. By setting the timer alert to "window", a window will be shown together with a sound, if prices are found to be above or below the limits, that you yourself can set up. If you set the timer alert to "none", prices will still be downloaded and your portfolio updated, but no window will be shown, and no sound is generated.
Please note, that a setting of a 5 minute interval, requires both a fast internet connection and a fast PC, since there could be a lot of data for download and process.
Internet address A.
This is the internet address, that is used to download the latest prices, info, etc. It is default set to point to the correct place on an Amateur Invest internet site. If changes to this occur, you can swith to a new internet site here.
Internet address B.
These lines are alternative internet addresses, that are used for importing prices from other sites than the Amateur Invest site. If you double click on the line shown in this window, a larger window will be shown, that makes it easier to edit the lines. Also if you push the "U" next to the lines, the latest definitions will be updated via internet. This can be useful, if you encounter problems in downloading prices via the internet. At the moment the lines are set to (incl. a code <$!!!$>) point to Yahoo. The <$!!!$> codes are replaced with all the securities for each exchange in the definition file. In connection with the codes that can be entered in the definition of a stock (look for details in securities under "ID Import"), it is possible to import almost live prices continuously during the exchange opening hours. Not all prices however, can be loaded this way - therefore you should also download from the Amateur Invest internet home. Read more about finding and setting up the definition lines here.
Proxy setup.
Under the proxy setup, you can enter information, if you use a proxy connection. Most users that use common connections, do not need to enter any information into these fields. If, however, you cannot get a connection to the internet (to download prices) from within a company, it might be because a proxy name or address should be entered into the fields here. In such cases you should contact your PC-help department and get the proxy values. - In the 1st field you enter the proxy adress, 2nd field is proxy port, 3rd field is proxy username and 4th is proxy password.
Use sound in program.
If you check this setting, you'll hear speech and other sounds in some parts of the program. Uncheck this setting if you would like the program to be quiet.
Show Limits.
If you check this box, you'll be shown the window with limits, when you have imported information into the database.
Show SL/SP.
If you check this mark, you'll be shown the window with stop profit / stop loss, when you have imported prices into the database.
Show Advice.
If you check this mark, you'll be shown the window with advice, when you have imported information into the database. This function is not implemented yet.
User ID setup.
Here you can change the master user id and password. Enter a new, hard to break id and password. It should contain both letters and numbers. The user id and password must each contain a minimum of 6 characters.
You can also clear the user id and password by pushing the "clear" button. By clearing the 2, you willl not be prompted for user and password at startup of the program.
Removed from 2007 and later: In a table, there has been made room for more users. This will be developed in coming releases.
Database maintenance.
Here you can either update, delete or pack the databases.
With Update, you can change all prices. This is useful, eg. when a company changes it's stock size (splits), etc. Enter the conversion factors, and the prices will be converted. You'll have to update the number of stocks manually in your portfolio. More information about splits can be found at: www.amateur-invest.com/us_howto.htm.
With Delete, you can select either bank transactions or prices to be deleted. It is useful once in a while to clean out old data. Select all or a specific account or security - then select the date. All or a specific security name will then be deleted with the date range you choose.
With Pack, you finally remove deleted data from the databases. It is necessary for you to do this cleaning once in a while, when the databases gets too big.
Updating the program?
Registered users have the possibility to save their data, before a new version of Amateur Invest is installed. By pushing the button "Upd. save", it is possible to enter a 3 letter code. Then push the Ok button, and the current data is saved. Then exit the old version and install the new version of Amateur Invest, whereby you overwrite the old. Then start up the new version and push the button "Upd. load", enter the 3 letter code, and push the Ok button again. This will read all the original data, that you yourself have entered, back into the new version of Amateur Invest. Remember to repeat the steps for each "base database" you might have; first "Upd. Save" for each of them - then install the new version of Amateur Invest, and finally "Upd. Load" for each of the saved bases.
A bit technical.
Since Amateur Invest uses so called databases to store the information you enter, it is important that you take a backup on a regular basis.
Backup's can be used in cases where data are unreadable for the program. This can happen if the computer suddenly get an error and stops working while it was updating the databases, or if your hard disk has an error.
You then use the backup to restore your data to the state it was in before the computer error happened. It can save you many hours of work.
Therefore, it's a very good idea to use a backup program to backup your Amateur Invest data!
