FTComm 2

Updated January 19, 2012

This communication package connects with FastTrack's FTP servers to do all communication functions. It can be used by FT for DOS and FT4WEB users who operate under Windows 95, 98, Me, Millenium,2000,NT, XP and later. FTComm offers:

• Internet access via your ISP or LAN connection for  FT operations: daily updates AND upgrades
• Restart from point of interrupt when doing Version Upgrades
• Online Integrity Checking
• Installation of FastTrack for DOS and FastTrack for Web components

A subset of FTComm  runs from within FastTrack. Generally, we recommend that you run from the FTComm  start menu (starting from the Windows Start button). The subset provides only the DownLoad Tab.

DownLoad Tab: What Do You Want to DO!

Data Update gets the latest mutual fund and stock database data. If your do not update at least every two weeks you will get a Timestamp Error, and be unable to access the data.

Upgrade Versions gets new programs via the Internet. All new files are sent as discrete zipped files that are decompressed at the end of the session. If the session is interrupted, FTComm will restart from the last successfully downloaded file. The decompression does not occur until the whole download is successfully completed. Click for more detail,

Online Integrity Check, A FastTrack Exclusive Feature: If your database becomes corrupted for any reason, we will restore it at no charge. Online Integrity Check keeps your FastTrack databases byte-for-byte, bit-for-bit identical to our master database. Your whole database is first checked against the master to determine if errors are present. Upon finding an error the integrity check then tests each segment of the database to find the location of the error and compiles a corrections file which is then sent to the user. FTComm then reads the corrections file and makes the appropriate changes to the database.

Install: If you do not have FastTrack or have never installed a particular FastTrack component, then the Install option will install it for you from our FTP server.

Transfer Obstructions

This set of options is regrettably named for the problems these communications parameters often cause. Properly configured firewalls and proxy servers rarely interfere with FastTrack. When they do, the fix may be impossible without the help of your Network Administrator.

Use Proxy Server: The great majority of FastTrackers do not use a proxy server. They shouldn't check this box. For those who use proxy servers. Checking the box will use the Proxy Settings on the Settings Tab. If you use a proxy server on your laptop, but then take the laptop on a trip away from the proxy server, then just uncheck the Use Proxy Server to use your modem . . . don't mess up the Settings Tab. It should remain intact for when you return home and begin to use the proxy server again.  Click for more on Proxy servers.

Use Firewall: If you are using a firewall , hardware or software (such as Windows XP's firewall, BlackIce Defender, ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, WinProxy with internal firewall, etc.) and are having problems connecting, then checking this box will change the way FTComm operates and may solve the problem.

DO NOT CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIREWALL

If your FTComm is working fine, then don't use this option. It does not protect you by installing a firewall. It only deals with problems that may occur when you install someone else's firewall product. Also, with  the option selected when not needed, FTComm may continue to work, but the download will be noticeably slow.

What to Upgrade Area ( Download Tab continued . . . )

If you check all the boxes your upgrade can take hours. Most users will check either or both the DOS Everything or the FT4WEB Everything (except tutorials).

As of FTComm version 3.00, it is no longer possible to do an upgrade on tutorials regardless of whether the CD is in the drive or not.  The tutorials have been remade using decompressed audio resulting in better sound quality, the ability to fast forward and rewind, as well as being available to users with Windows NT or 2000.  The new tutorials are considerably larger than the previous and are only available on the new FastTrack 3.0 CD.

The Big, Unlabeled,  Empty Area ( Download Tab continued . . . )

Status information about the downloading scrolls in this area. You can't do anything in the area yourself except clear it with the Clear Button. If you are having communication difficulties, the information in this area will help you and FT Tech Support diagnose the problem.

Progress Information

Above the status information box are two progress bars.  The top bar is for each file transferred.  The lower bar is for all files being transferred (i.e. the progress of the total download).

Buttons ( Download Tab continued . . . )

• Connect Button: Push this after all other options have been selected.
• Interrupt: It will interrupt, but may seem to hang at that point. Wait at least a minute before taking more drastic measures like rebooting.
• Clear Button: Clears the status box. That's all.
• Close Down FTComm: Click the X button in the upper right corner of the window.
• Help: Gives you a text version of what you are currently reading.

Apply to Database Tab

This Tab pops up automatically when the FastTrack databases are being updated. There are no options or controls on this Tab. It just gives status information.

User Settings Tab

Account and password- These are unique to yourself. Do not share them with others. You must enter these values or you cannot communicate to upgrade your programs or update your data.

Path to DBase1, 2  and 3- Your databases can be located anywhere on your network. Usually they are located in the /FT directory.  As of July 2002, there are three possible database file names:

• FTF15.DAT -Mutual funds and Market Indices
• FTS15.DAT -Stocks1 Database
• FTS25.DAT -Stocks2 Database

You may or may not have all the databases listed above.  Please call for information, it is inexpensive to extend your subscription to all databases.

Directory of FT for the Web CD- This is the path to your CD drive. This is needed for running tutorials from the CD. Also, if you upgrade tutorials, make sure that the correct CD path is entered in this space. The tutorials on the CD that have not changed will NOT be downloaded, greatly reducing download times.

Note:  To disable a database for testing purposes or to remove a database which you are not subscribed simply remove the appropriate entry from the DBASE 1, 2, or 3 line and click the Save button.  This will make symbols in the corresponding database inaccessible to FastTrack preventing flat lines on the chart (0% gains) when ranking issues which are no longer being updated.

Timed Update

1. Open the FTComm program and click on the User Settings tab.  Enter the time (10:00am) in the blank and click the "Do Timed Update" button.  The program will automatically update the database at that time.  Your computer must be on and FTComm must be running (although it may be minimized) for this option to work.
2. Use the Windows Task Scheduler by clicking on Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks.  Double-click the add scheduled task button to start the Scheduled Task Wizard.  Select FTComm2 in the list of programs you want Windows Task Scheduler to run.  Next, set this this task to be performed daily and set the start time.  ***IMPORTANT***  The Scheduled Task Wizard will now ask for the Name and Password of the user.  If the password is blank on the user account then the task will not run (Many people do not enter a password when their computer starts up.)  The Scheduled Task Wizard will announce that you have successfully scheduled FTComm2 as a task.  Click the check box to open advanced properties and click the Finish button.  Change the Run line from C:\FT\FT4WIN\ftwinapp.exe to C:\FT\FT4WIN\ftwinapp.exe /U as shown in the images below.

Run Program after Updating- Select any program to open automatically after FTComm has finished updating the closing prices.

Proxy Settings

To enable Proxy Login, check "Use Proxy Server" on the DownLoad Tab.

Proxy Type-Your network administrator should have the information needed to choose which Proxy Type fits your network.

Proxy Host-This is the IP address of the Proxy Server.  To lessen the error factor, enter the numerical address of the Proxy Server (as shown on the right).  If unsure, ask your network administrator.

Proxy Port- For most networks this number is 21.  If unsure, ask your network administrator.

User Name and Proxy Password- This is the User Name and Password needed to log in to the Proxy Server.  If you do not need a User Name and Password to log in to the server, leave it blank!  This is not the area to put your FastTrack Account # and Password.  That is the User Settings Tab.

Save and Cancel Buttons- Clicking the save button will save all changes made to this tab.  The cancel button aborts changes made. 

Upgrading 

Upgrade Process: Restart from Point of Interrupt

The Upgrade process may be interrupted at any point and restarted. The upgrade will not resend files which were received prior to the interrupt. The upgrade will progress on each reconnection and eventually complete. At the conclusion of the upgrade download, FTComm shuts down and runs a batch file, FTUNZIP.BAT, to complete the process. You  MUST NOT allow virus scanners or installation monitors (like Clean Sweep) which you have installed on your computer to prevent this step from replacing your existing files.

The upgrade must fully complete before any new files take effect. Do not hand-decompress any files unless instructed to do so by tech support. If you do, you may develop mixed revision problems which will be difficult to diagnose and correct.

Downloaded files will have names that end in ZIP, for example, "FT4WIN.EXE.ZIP". Names with multiple periods in them are perfectly legal under Windows 95, 98, and NT.  FTUNZIP.BAT decompresses these files, deletes the ZIP versions, and registers all *.OCX and *.DLL files received. After the upgrade is completed and you find you still have ZIP files lingering in your any part of your FT file structure, delete them. There are NO permanent, required FT files ending in ZIP.