VisuaData for Windows (ViDA)
Copyright 1995, NIBS Pte Ltd.

(1) Objective of Vida

VisuaData for Windows is a neural network preprocessor.  It is 
designed to read MetaStock (ms), CSI (csi), Computrac (cpt), 
FutureSource (fs), MS Excel and various ASCII data file formats 
directly, generates over 100 popular and new technical 
indicators and buy/sell signals, and builds them into single 
ascii data files.  Some of these indicators have been found to 
be useful for neural network processing, examples are the adx, 
vertical horizontal filer, random walk index, etc.  Several new 
indicators have also been included in the indicator library, 
examples are Chandes vidya.  Some indicators, such as zigzag, 
filter out the noise in the raw data signals, so that the 
smoothed signals can be applied to neural network or fuzzy 
computation.  A number of indicator functions generate buy/sell 
signals.

With ViDA, Multiple data files can be opened and processed 
simultaneously, in spreadsheet-like data grids for easy data 
manipulation, and output directly to popular neural network, 
genetic algorithm or fuzzy programs.  Graphical functions are 
provided for data visualization.


(2) Installing ViDA - Just type a:\setup

The complete list of ViDA files are as follows:

c:\ViDA\ViDA.exe - the VisuaData executable
c:\ViDA\ViDA.hlp - help file
c:\ViDA\ViDA.lib - the ViDA indicator library list
c:\ViDA\user.lib - the user indicator library list
c:\ViDA\grid.vbx - the Microsoft's vbx grid control
c:\ViDA\threed.vbx - the Microsoft's vbx 3D control
c:\ViDA\vtss.vbx - the visual vbx grid control
c:\ViDA\vtssdll.dll - the Excel compatible spreadsheet control
c:\ViDA\readme.txt - this readme file
c:\ViDA\ms - Metastock data file samples
c:\ViDA\cpt - Computrac data file samples
c:\ViDA\csi - CSI data file samples
c:\ViDA\fs - FutureSource data file samples
c:\ViDA\brainmak - BrainMaker data file samples
c:\ViDA\ascii - ASCII data file samples
c:\ViDA\nfga - NeuroForecaster data file samples

To install ViDA, insert the VisuaData program diskette into the 
floppy disk drive, select the Program Manager or File Manager 
menu function "File\Run...", type "a:\setup" or "b:\setup" 
depending on whether Drive a or Drive b is used.

ViDA.EXE runs on Windows 3.1.  You can run it by double 
clicking on the icon created for you, or double clicking on 
vida.exe from the File Manager.

Note 1 - Manual Setup: If the above setup method does not 
work or the programs you receive does not have the setup.exe 
program, create a new directory (eg. c:\ViDA) in your hard 
disk and copy all the files from the diskette to the new 
directory.  Use the Windows Program Manager's "File\New..." 
menu to create the program group and items, and click on the 
"Browse" and "Change Icon" buttons, and set the correct 
directory path.  Check to make sure that you have all the 
above files.

Note 2 - Zipped File: If the program you received is a zipped 
file (eg. ViDA.ZIP), you can drag and drop it to unzip.exe, 
pkunzip.exe or winzip.exe to unzip it, then apply the above 
setup procedure.

Note 3 - Self-extracing File: If the program you received is 
self-extracting (eg. ViDAZIP.EXE), double click on it to 
explode it, then apply the above setup procedure.

 
(3) Quick Tips

The first time when ViDA is run, a vertical floating tool 
bar will appear on the extreme left of the screen.  It can be 
turned on or off by clicking on the Tool Bar button on the top 
of the ViDA main screen.  The first icon (marked with a 1) is 
for opening a data file;  the second icon (marked with a 2) 
is for selecting an indicator;  the third is for opening the 
clipper.

To find out the meanings of these and other icons, or the menu 
functions, just position the mouse cursor on the item, click 
and hold the mouse button - and an explanation of the item will 
be shown in the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

(4) Help File

The context-sensitive help is available by double-clicking 
the Help file (ViDA.hlp) from the File Manager, or the Help 
button while running ViDA.

Go through the tutorials to explore the basic operations, like 
opening a data file, generating technical indicators, and 
saving the file in ASCII.


(5) System Requirements

IBM PC 386/486/Pentium with mouse, or compatibles.
MS DOS 5.0 or above, MS Windows  3.1, OS/2 Warp, Win95.
4 MB RAM, 5 MB available hard disk space minimum. 
3.5 inch floppy drive. VGA monitor or above.  
Math coprocessor recommended.