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Good day Ed,
A very interesting background, and comments, especially since you
don't post all that often.
I spent 25 years in mining and referenced semi-trailer loads of tech
manuals in that time, including manuals for gas analyzers. They were
full of legal disclaimers and pre-amble and the only sections that
were ever read, more than once, if at all, were the drawings and the
procedures - tech guys/engineers went straight to the drawings and
specs (mud maps) and operators went straight to the 'how to get it
going' procedures.
In fact more often than not the mudmups and the 20 pages of
procedures in the 1000 page manual were reprinted, bound and
circulated and the book itself sat in the cupboard untouched.
(Maybe I even read one of yours).
99% of operators never ever even picked up the manual.
They relied on the 1% to write the 20 page version.
People who do (the minority) are always vociferously criticized by
those who don't (usually in inverse proportions).
I think the motivation of AB owners is a lot higher than people in
the workplace though (on average).
I do empathise with Tomasz though - he must get sick of us constantly
dissecting his every move (sometimes people get a bit personal too
which I think is very harmful). Also manuals are a thankless task
because as soon as you finish them they are 'out of date'.
Having written a couple of posts for the UKB I know how hard it is to
write - people have no idea of the work I put into them and how I
agonize over the prose and the grammar (where will I put that comma?)
So in case I didn't make it clear before the only suggestion I am
making to Tomasz is re the manual - people do expect AB to be
accountable for the manual - I cringe when I go to it and see
obsolete content that has been there for more than one update (Yes -
TOC/Indexes/Searchability are crucial).
However, while I talk about other 'training issues' I don't expect
anything outside of the manual and I don't expect Tomasz to anyting
else in that area (nice if he can but not realistic).
The community support is excellent but it will never be perfect or
perfectly organized and presented (unless we all do what Howard does
and sit down and write a formal presentation).
I have tried to do walk through/plenty of pictures/examples etc at
the UKB (that is what the UKB is for) don't know if I succeeded but
there just isn't enough hours.
So will I be seeing some posts from you at the UKB then?
While I am here I would like to redress one misconception.
I thought people were unfair, and lacked an understanding of Tomasz,
when they said they thought he couldn't write a good manual.
IMO Tomasz would make a very good author, and not only for technical
manuals. His grammar is better than mine and when he wants to he can
turn out a nice piece of prose (we have to remember English isn't his
first language - how would we go writing in Polish?). He is also a
creative person (an artist) and if he wanted to let loose on a book I
am sure he could do a good job.
The only reason IMO that the manual is lagging the program is because
Tomasz doesn't have the time and also it is not as much fun as
programming and he would rather be doing that (can't blame him for
that).
Re books:
I always think that it is a great privilige, and I can't believe how
lucky I am, to be able to prop 20 years of Howards/Kaufmans/Aronsons
life, in condensed form, beside my bed and read them over and over
until their experience blends with mine.
Thanks for your comments - really enjoyed them.
brian_z
--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Ed Hoopes" <reefbreak_sd@xxx>
wrote:
>
> I have been the author of about a dozen technical manuals for
> industrial gas analyzers that used embedded computers/software to
run
> the instruments. Several were about 200 pages long.
>
> As such, I have heard all of the criticisms about inadequate
manuals.
> Too long, too short, too detailed, over simplified, too theoretical
etc.
>
> Here is my perspective:
> 1. A "Quick Start" guide is good - patterned after many modern
> electronic devices we buy today - tabloid size or larger -
everything
> on one page - lots of diagrams - fewer words - in the book as a
> tear-out section.
> 2. As a former 2nd year algebra teacher (before I got into
instrument
> design) - I think large numbers of errors are due to not knowing the
> rules of algebra as implemented in software. The users will take
> their algebra errors and blame it on the software.
> 3. Maybe something on 'structured walk thru' techniques (or what
ever
> is popular now) - to get users to fully think through everything
> they are trying to code for.
> 2. Example code of some relatively simple analysis - Years ago IBM
> taught SQL(I think) using 'query by example', so maybe a chapter on
> 'Coding *.afl by example'
> 4. Finally, EACH USER of your book will have different
expectations -
> you will not be able to make everyone happy, so in publishing your
> guide, expect a steady stream of 'Don't buy Howard's book - It
> didn't help me' kinds of comments.
>
> BTW - I bought QTS (2 copies - I gave one away) - I liked it.
>
> Ed Hoopes
>
> PS
> Spending lots of time on the ToC and Index reduces the complaints,
> especially if you can direct them to that area to locate their
answer.
> After a few complaints, they will start to look there rather than
post.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "chorlton_c_hardy"
> <chorlton-c-hardy@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hello Howard,
> >
> > As a reader of your last book, I for one, look forward to reading
it.
> >
> > I have read your last book a number of times now and still keep
> > learning new elements!!! Maybe I'm just a slow learner though :-/
> >
> > Also, as a newbie to Amibroker & its langauge I'm very surprised
no
> > one has considered writing one before, given the popularity of
this
> > excellent piece of software, so its good to hear that one is now
in
> > the pipeline.....
> >
> > All the best,
> >
> > Chorlton
> >
> > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Howard B" <howardbandy@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Christopher --
> > >
> > > Since the book is so closely associated with AmiBroker, I'll
use the
> > > AmiBroker forum groups to announce the book.
> > >
> > > SO far, there are plans for only a printed version. But that
might
> > change.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Howard
> > >
> > > On Feb 11, 2008 4:07 AM, Christopher <chrisjeal@> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi Howard,
> > > > I would be interested in a book on how to use Amibroker
> > correctly, how
> > > > will you let people know when you have published the book?
> > > >
> > > > Have you thought of selling it as a pdf something like on
> > clickbank?
> > > > As you will have no costs up front and will sell as many as
> > wanted no
> > > > more and no less - also you could offer updated pages as
needed.
> > > > Just an Idea.
> > > > Yours
> > > > Chris
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <amibroker%
> > 40yahoogroups.com>, "Howard B"
> > > > <howardbandy@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Greetings all --
> > > > >
> > > > > What a nice surprise, it looks like there is a new price
point.
> > I
> > > > did not
> > > > > think the market would bear so much. (Grin)
> > > > >
> > > > > " I WILL GET IT but I would pay $120.00 for the very basics
in
> > afl in a
> > > > > minute. "
> > > > >
> > > > > "Introduction to AmiBroker" is alive and well. I have other
> > > > projects that
> > > > > are getting done along with writing it. Some days
Introduction
> > is
> > > > on the
> > > > > top of the list, other days it is not. But it will be
published.
> > > > >
> > > > > It will be pretty much what its title says -- a book about
> > > > AmiBroker. Since
> > > > > AmiBroker is a trading system development platform, there
will
> > be
> > > > discussion
> > > > > of trading and trading systems. But, readers looking for a
book
> > > > about the
> > > > > design, testing, and validation of trading systems should
look
> > at
> > > > > "Quantitative Trading Systems," which is already available.
The
> > > > > Introduction book is a separate book, more about AmiBroker,
> > less about
> > > > > trading systems, and at a more basic level. It is not a new
> > edition
> > > > of QTS.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for the suggestions about joint authorship. I have
> > already
> > > > explored
> > > > > that.
> > > > >
> > > > > The author of a book gets very little compensation -- no
matter
> > how
> > > > it is
> > > > > published. Top end compensation for the author(s) -- if
there
> > are
> > > > multiple
> > > > > authors, they split this -- is usually about 10% of the
retail
> > price
> > > > of the
> > > > > book. A $40 book gives two authors $2.00 each per copy.
> > > > Introduction to
> > > > > AmiBroker might sell 2000 copies over two or three years.
At
> > the rate
> > > > > Tomasz is expanding the capabilities of AmiBroker, it would
be
> > unwise to
> > > > > make too large a press run, and wise to plan on revised
editions
> > > > regularly.
> > > > > There are several sections I have re-written already as
> > AmiBroker
> > > > changed,
> > > > > and the first edition has not yet gone to press.
> > > > >
> > > > > There is little reward and a lot of difficulty coordinating
> > efforts.
> > > > The
> > > > > logistics of two people working from different locations on
a
> > manuscript
> > > > > several hundred pages long are very difficult.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is a one-person job.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > Howard
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Feb 8, 2008 12:25 PM, Ronald Davis <xokie7@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Lloyd>>>I, also would like to see a presentation using
first
> > > > principles.
> > > > > > My
> > > > > >
> > > > > > understanding is that Howard will be completing an entry
> > level book
> > > > > > this spring as soon as he completes some obligations this
> > month.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > It might be a better book if Howard and Graham were to
agree
> > to
> > > > JOINTLY
> > > > > > write the book. The best and most understandable
explanations
> > that
> > > > have
> > > > > > been given to me have been those from Graham. Graham
seems to
> > have an
> > > > > > outstanding ability to describe things in a very
> > understandable
> > > > way. Here
> > > > > > is his description of SUM from the user manual. Ron D
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
======================================================================
> > =====
> > > > > > Sum adds up the last "n" number of bars. It sums whatever
you
> > put
> > > > into the
> > > > > > first part of the sum formula.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Cum(1) adds 1 to the previous value of Cum, so the first
bar
> > is 1
> > > > and it
> > > > > > just keeps adding one to the last bar value of cum(1).
> > > > > > You can use Cum to add anything, like how many times you
get
> > > > rising days
> > > > > > in
> > > > > > the entire chart:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Rise = C>O; //this gives results of 0 or 1
> > > > > > TotalRise = Cum(Rise);
> > > > > >
> > > > > > You could limit this as well to time periods, or any
other
> > condition
> > > > > > Example
> > > > > > would be one for total rise days since 1995:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > RecentRise = C>O and Year()>=1995; //this gives results
of 0
> > or 1
> > > > > > TotalRise = Cum(RecentRise);
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If you wanted to know how many rising days in the last 12
> > bars you
> > > > would
> > > > > > use:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > LastRises = Sum(Rise,12);
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> >
===================================================================
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > From: "Thomas Ludwig" <Thomas.Ludwig@ <Thomas.Ludwig%
> > 40gmx.de>>
> > > > > > To: <amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <amibroker%
> > 40yahoogroups.com><amibroker%40yahoogroups.com>>
> > > > > > Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 1:14 PM
> > > > > > Subject: Re: [amibroker] Re: no amibroker book?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > brian_z111 wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >> However, I also agree with the others that we need a
good
> > AFL book
> > > > > > >> and IMO Tomasz is the man to write it - yes, even if
he
> > has to stop
> > > > > > >> development to do it - take a sabbatical and get out
the
> > feathered
> > > > > > >> pen Tomasz
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Brian, I agree with Paul and vlanschot that TJ cannot
> > afford to
> > > > do this.
> > > > > > > And quite frankly - no offense meant, TJ!!! - I'm not
sure
> > if
> > > > he's the
> > > > > > > right guy to do this. I'm afraid he's frequently
thinking
> > in quite
> > > > > > > different categories than most of us who are non-
> > programmers and
> > > > > > > apparantly much more simple-minded ;-) He's often made
the
> > statement
> > > > > > > that every AB user should read the manual from the
first to
> > the last
> > > > > > > page over and over again. Yes, true - but that doesn't
> > really
> > > > help in
> > > > > > > many situations.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Examples? The description of Exrem and Exremspan -
without
> > hints
> > > > from
> > > > > > > other guys here in the mailing list (who are obviously
more
> > > > intelligent
> > > > > > > than I am) I would never have understood the whole
purpose
> > of these
> > > > > > > functions and when to use them.
> > > > > > > Another one: The description of Equity() - my goodness,
> > after
> > > > all these
> > > > > > > years I still have troubles at times to decide which
flag I
> > > > should use
> > > > > > > and with which consequences.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > There are many other examples of functions available in
AB
> > that
> > > > may be
> > > > > > > useful for me in specific situations - but I simply
don't
> > understand
> > > > > > > and use them (like Varset). In the past I had very
often the
> > > > > > > impression - with a "normal" occupation, a wife and two
> > children who
> > > > > > > sometimes felt neglected - that I'm the wrong target
> > customer for AB
> > > > > > > and TJ. But, well, over the years the moments of
> > desperation have
> > > > > > > become fewer thanks to a lot of pasting of infos from
the
> > list here
> > > > > > > (like Graham has mentioned).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Having said this, I think an AFL book is needed written
> > strictly
> > > > from
> > > > > > > the user's perspective. I think most of us non-
programmers
> > and
> > > > > > > non-engineers are in need of "cooking recipes" that
> > organize,
> > > > structure
> > > > > > > or arrange the vast multitude of possibilities
available in
> > AB in
> > > > > > > order to facilitate everyday usage of this excellent
> > application. A
> > > > > > > nice example from the AB library as a starter would be
> > > > > > > http://www.amibroker.com/library/detail.php?id=547
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Brian, Herman and you are doing a really marvelous job
for
> > the
> > > > UKB. But
> > > > > > > perhaps some more of such "cooking recipes" should be
> > included. It
> > > > > > > would be great if more AB users could contribute them.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Just my 2 cents ...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Greetings,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thomas
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Please note that this group is for discussion between
users
> > only.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail
> > directly to
> > > > > > > SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always
check
> > DEVLOG:
> > > > > > > http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > For other support material please check also:
> > > > > > > http://www.amibroker.com/support.html
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
Please note that this group is for discussion between users only.
To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail directly to
SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com
For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always check DEVLOG:
http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/
For other support material please check also:
http://www.amibroker.com/support.html
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