Each month in this Journal, our technical support staff addresses issues of interest to many CSI subscribers in a question-and-answer format. This month, they present questions about Unfair Advantage(UA), focusing primarily on premium services.

Notice:
  The views and information expressed in this document reflect the opinions and experience of the author Robert C. Pelletier.  Neither CSI nor the author undertake or intend to provide tax advice or trading advice in any market or endorse any outside individual or firm.  All recommendations are provided for their informational value only.  Readers should consult competent financial advisors or outside counsel before making any software purchase or investment decision.  CSI does not stand behind or endorse the products of any outside firms.

Copyright (c) 1998 Commodity Systems Inc. (CSI).  All rights are reserved.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Important Notices

   UA's Uninstall function should only be used if UA is stored in its own directory (probably C:\UA). Do not use Uninstall if the software is in your root directory (probably C:\).

Always back up your hard drive before using any Uninstall program!
 

QT Reminder: 

   Users of very old QuickTrieve programs (before version 4.0) must complete your annual file extension for continuous contracts before Jan. 4, 1999.  This involves manually creating and moving continuous contracts into files that include 1999 dates.  Please see your QuickTrieve manual for details.

Questions and Answers

Q.
   How can I tell what rolling specifications were used in my various Unfair Advantage computed contracts? 

A.
   Unfair Advantage produces a 30-character description banner on its charts and tables for file identification. Unfortunately, it is impossible to define every possible variable within the description banner. You might actually find more information in the eight-character ASCII file name. The file name explicitly describes the switch settings you selected through the Portfolio Manager, using one or two characters for each variable. The manual explains how to interpret the file name details (the settings supplied at Portfolio-Build time). Neither of these representations can reveal every detail about the rolling structure selected, but they may sufficiently remind you of what you originally requested through the program.

Q.
   I have been unable to update CBT Corn Yield (# 387) with Unfair Advantage. How can I get this data?

A.
   You were unable to access #387 because it was incorrectly identified as a foreign commodity on our system. Although this commodity was sent to your computer, you, as a North American Database user (not World), did not have access to it. We have corrected the problem here so that this series is now available to all UA customers. We regret the error. Please continue to notify us by email if you are unable to access any market that should be included in your update service.

Q.
   Unfair Advantage now shows 8 digits behind the decimal point in ASCII files. Is this a bug?

A.
   Offering 8 decimal digits after the decimal point for ASCII files is not a bug. We give great precision because some markets are quoted in 256ths and two digits just don't offer sufficient precision when converting to decimal.

Q.
   I am very frustrated with dozens of minor bugs in the Beta Test version of Unfair Advantage. When will these be fixed?

A.
   Users of our released software (non-Beta Test) can expect few software errors. Complaints about released versions have been very minimal; in fact, almost non-existent. You were using a Beta Test version which, by definition, is not expected to be perfect. It is from Beta Test users' feedback that we produce more stable results. 
We ask that all Beta Test users try to give specific details on your findings. Make precise notes on each event, listing prompts and results.  Avoid vague and inconclusive reports because they can't be addressed properly. We understand that most users aren't interested in being guinea pigs to help us improve our software. Beta Test versions are for those users who are willing and able to make such a commitment. If Beta Testing isn't for you, please stick with our released versions.

Q.
   I have been unable to locate some of the government time series listed in your printed fact sheet. Where can I find them in UA?

A.
   UA is a financial database repository that intends to address world futures markets, world equity markets, and world government, cash, and fundamental time series. The cash, government, and fundamental series are largely considered in the cash markets section that show up as "x" files in the portfolio manager sort procedure. World equity markets, although part of the full package of offerings, are currently part of a Beta product awaiting approval for general release.