COMMODITY SYSTEMS, INC.

200 West Palmetto Park Road  Suite 200  Boca Raton, Florida 33432

Voice: (561) 392-8663  (800) 274-4727 Fax: (561) 392-7761 E-mail: 

Dear New or Upgrading User to CSI’s Unfair Advantage:

Thank you for your order of the Unfair Advantage software and data warehousing system. You will find that the enclosed QuickStart Manual gives instructions on loading the software and database onto your computer, but this memo has a few tips to get you started as smoothly as possible with this specific UA release. During the installation process, you will have the choice of installing one of two Unfair Advantage versions included on the CD-ROM. Please review the "Pros and Cons" below before deciding which to use.

Version 1.75.8 Pros and Cons:

We recommend installing version 1.75.8, because it has proven itself through substantial field-testing and customer use to be a stable, reliable product. After installation, the on-line electronic reference manual should be consulted (through the Help menu) for instructions and advice in understanding the UA product. Unfortunately, version 1.75.8 users will not have access to CSI’s trading system certification software known as the Trading System Performance Evaluator (TSPE) because that software had not been completed when 1.75.8 was released. A known condition with 1.75.8 is the incidence of slower portfolio builds for isolated markets.

Version 2.1.0 Beta Pros and Cons:

This is the up-and-coming UA version. It is so new, in fact, that we have not yet completed our Beta testing phase of development. This selection has the advantage of matching up with our new QuickStart Manual (enclosed) and on-line context-sensitive help, which our customers have found easier to use. Portions of the 234+ page on-line reference manual can be selectively printed if desired, and a full printed version is available for purchase. Veteran UA users will find this release's interface somewhat unfamiliar. Some buttons and menus are likely to look different, but functionality is improved in many ways. A fully functional TSPE is delivered with this software version.

The drawback to version 2.1.0 is limited alpha and beta testing, but all known software problems have been corrected as of the official beta shipment date. For older computers, UA will lock-up and control will be lost if the S3 chip set is installed in your graphics card. UA is compiled under Borland C++ Builder, which cannot use the S3 chip set. When this is the case, we recommend you replace your graphics card with a Trident Graphics card (Jaton Video-57P) ($30 at your computer dealer) to cure the problem. If you install version 1.75.8 now, you can upgrade to version 2.1.0 through our website when Beta testing is complete.

Instructions for Upgrading (or Downgrading) UA Versions

Whether you are a seasoned UA subscriber or a new user who has changed your mind about the UA version to install, you can install or reinstall from the enclosed CD-ROM within four weeks of receipt. The longer you wait, the lengthier the required download will be to bring the database current from the date of mailing. If you have already introduced a portfolio in your UA software that you would like to keep, you should save that portfolio by placing a copy of the file UA\ARCHIVES\PORTFILE.ADM into your \TEMP directory.

Whenever you reinstall UA from a CD, you should first uninstall your current version (after saving a copy of your portfolio), load the CD-ROM again and select your preferred version choice. After installation, restore the UA\ARCHIVES\PORTFILE.ADM file previously saved and proceed with the alternate software.

Your CD-ROM database is dated. Please do not delay installing this product and, for best results, update your database regularly. If you have any problems, please call CSI Customer service with your user ID and information on the version you installed. See the reverse for important information about the UA database.

All the best,

The CSI Staff

Unfair Advantage Database Selection and Pricing Options

Below is a list of databases you may install within the Unfair Advantage system, along with pricing for each. Your original payment to CSI was based on your choice of databases to update. If you change your database preferences from what you originally ordered, you must inform CSI before your initial download because, although all markets are on your CD-ROM, only your selected markets are accessible as daily updates. You can easily upgrade at any time from North American futures coverage to world futures coverage without ordering a new CD-ROM, but adding stocks and/or options to futures (or vice-versa) a month or more after initiating service requires a new CD-ROM to get you current with both series. Extra charges may apply.

Each database category includes the full historical reserves from the CSI database except Options. Options history through UA is limited to the final two years on file. Additional options history may be purchased on a CD-ROM for $125 per year per market.

Unfair Advantage offers several databases for daily updates, which must be arranged in advance through CSI. Your CSI subscription category must match the database installed from your UA CD-ROM. Please contact CSI if you wish to make changes.

Subscription Category / UA one-time personal use licensing fee* / Cost per month+
(payable annually) / Cost for one year
of service
North American futures / $150 / $29/mo. / $348/yr.
North American futures plus corresponding options / $150 / $48/mo. / $576/yr.
US stocks, funds and indices / $75 / $12/mo. / $144/yr
US stocks, funds and indices plus corresponding options / $150 / $31/mo. / $372/yr
World futures / $300 / $59/mo. / $708/yr.
World futures plus corresponding options / $300 / $88/mo. / $1,056/yr.
World stocks, funds and indices / $75 / $29/mo. / $348/yr.
World stocks, funds and indices plus corresponding options / $300 / $58/mo. / $696/yr.
*When multiple categories are selected, you pay only the ONE highest license fee from those shown.
+ When multiple categories are updated, pricing will be cumulative for all chosen categories.

The above monthly rates are payable annually. Users subject to monthly fees of greater than $30 may elect monthly billing, however such users are subject to a 10% increase in the monthly fee plus a $3 monthly invoicing charge. The $3 invoicing charge may be waived (but not the 10% charge) if monthly electronic (e-mail only) billing is elected.

Licensing fees are non-refundable because, through their payment, portions of the UA database and/or software are opened for unlimited access. The payment of a licensing fee of $150 or more enables three premium software products for use concurrent with the CSI data service. The three products include 1) UA’s Multi-Market Analyzer, an econometric modeling system that permits trading-off related stock or futures markets in different risk scenarios, 2) The Trading System Performance Evaluator, an analytical tool that quantifies both your trading systems level of risk, and the capitalization necessary to fund it, and 3) an accounting system available soon for a $25 upgrade fee that will permit tracking your trading account assets in a mixture of different currencies.

We have plans to soon display a full-featured UA manual on our website at A printed manual may be ordered for $20 plus $15 shipping to non-US addresses. Inquires on the above should be directed to CSI Customer Service or Bookkeeping at (561) 392-8663.

Sincerely,

CSI Bookkeeping DepartmentUATransPricing.doc