XPress has a package for receiving real time
update of stock prices for about 30,000 stock
symbols, updated approximatelly 15 to 20 minutes
through out the day. After closing, the number
goes up to about 99,000 closing prices from about
20 different north american markets. The problem
is that they refuse to disclose their data stream
format and their software is full of bugs. Also,
it was designed in such a way that you can not
run MS-Windows. While their data stream has alot
of stock symbols in it and about 3000 articles per
day, their software can only collect and track a
few hundred stocks. The system uses a General
Instrument InfoCypher connected to the data output
of a VideoCypher II+ decoder module. Dish can be
either C or Ku Band. Equipment and software cost
is about $300 to $400 in addition to the cost of
a satellite dish and the monthly subscrition is
about $25. I like the system enough to keep my
subscription but I would be much happier if they
would give me the data stream format under some
restrictive license agreement and let me write my
own software. I would have absolutely no intention
of distributing my software and I would be willing
to sign an agreement to that effect but XPress's
management refuses to consider such request. I do
not think being reasonible is the problem, more like
middle managers protecting their jobs first and the
interest of their customers second. It's sad, because
I could have done so much with such a rich data stream
to analyze opportunities for my own investments.
---dlc
_____________________________________________
Don Collett AT&T Tridom (404-514-3516)
email: dlc@eng.tridom.com, attmail!tridom!dlc
840 Franklin Court, Marrietta, Georgia 30067
Opinion stated are entirely my own and have
nothing to do with AT&T or AT&T Tridom.