QuoteNotifier v0.17, 08/10/2001 (c) torh@bogus.net
--------------------------------------------------

This release is BOGUSWARE, which means you can use it as you like. If you
have any insider stocktips, I'd like to hear about them. :-) If you modify 
the program, let me know about it!

This is a small perl utility written for the purpose of tracking whether or
not a NYSE or NASDAQ share changes above or below a set threshold.

The program is designed to run as a cron(8) job, or in a while loop (for 
example, in a shell).

It can track single stock symbols from the command line, or single/multiple
symbols from a configuration file.


How it works
------------

Simple; it uses LWP to get the stock information from http://quote.fool.com,
then does a simple arithmetic check to see whether or not it should notify
you of any changes.

The program can send email or echo it to the TTY. It can also popup xmessages
by adding the -x option.


Usage
-----

./quotenotifier [-h|-v] [-x] [-m <address>] [-f <file>] 
                [-ph <proxyhost> [-pp <proxyport>]]
                -s <symb> -t <val>[+]|-

i.e.

	./quotenotifier -m torh@bogus.net -s SUNW -t 78

will notify me by email if Sun Microsystems (SUNW) climb above 78 dollars. The
threshold value (t) cannot be given in fractions.

The following will give you a notification if a stock falls below a certain
value:

	./quotenotifier -s SUNW -t 68.50-

You can also try

	./quotenotifier -s SUNW 

which will give you a running update every time it is run, giving you the 
current (delayed by 20 or 15 minutes, depending on which market) share price.

To watch a portfolio, you can use a file, which should look something like
this (call it "portfolio"):

	SUNW 78.2+ ; sun microsystems
	CIEN 45.0- ; if ciena drops below this, be start getting interested
	CIEN 80 ; above this? sell sell sell!!!
	ISLD 100+
	MSFT 200+  ; sell sell sell

You then execute quotenotifier the following way:

	./quotenotfier -f portfolio -m torh@bogus.net


Requirements
------------

This perl script requires the LWP::UserAgent, Mail::Sendmail and Getopt::Long
modules. These can be installed using the CPAN module. Do the following if
you don't have these modules:

	perldoc CPAN

Read this documentation, then do:

	perl -MCPAN -e shell
	install LWP
	install Mail::Sendmail
	install Getopt::Long


If it doesn't work
------------------

Make sure you are connected to the Internet. Make sure your Perl binary is
located in /usr/bin/perl. If not, change the first line of this program to
where your Perl binary is located.

Be sure you enter the threshold value in DECIMAL or INTEGER notation. No
fractional values will work properly.

If it still doesn't work, go ahead and email me!


Hello's to
----------
Karim, who got me into online trading to begin with
Datek.Com, who seem to be running a fine online brokering company
Simon Walker, who clued me into needing proxies!


