StockApp Blog

April 30, 2025

If it's not one thing, it's another.

So in this very long multi-year journey, I have come up against yet another obstacle.

This time it's the security of the applications.

To publish these on the app stores and to prevent warnings from popping up on user screens, it is required to have a security cert/key from a trusted authority to 'sign' the app. According to Microsoft for example that leaves a few vendors. Apple uses a different process that make the apps unusable, which I will have to address at a later date.

I have attempted to start to purchase a key but have already run into unforseen requirements. One of those requirements is to have an LLC, Corp or as in my current case a 'sole proprietorship' whose registration is at least three years old. I only recently and finally got around to registering as a DBA through Legal Zoom.

It would also appear to me on the surface that the trusted key service would like to see an LLC or Corp. as the applicant. This will require significant additional research on my part.

It's complicated. But I'm now reaching out to a Law firm for advice on how to proceed.

The landscape of the internet has and continues to change and evolve so quickly that it is very difficult to keep up.

When I started the original concept for this website, there were no requirements. None. All a person needed was a wire a computer and an IP.

Now there are many requirements. I personally believe that the many requirements are due to the global hackers that have taken advantage of so many people and continue to do so. I get it, it's a dangerous web out there.

When I was first putting up my server, I immediately , and I mean immediately, saw a slew of unauthorized attempts to gain access using various user names and passwords. Most likely these attempts are from bots loaded on unsuspecting victims computers.

Many of the attempts are traceable to places like Russia, Poland, Hungary, the *stan countries, even Japan, Canada etc. as well as the parts of the US.

and as a side note... this blog was originally jusst a reference to StockApp. I see now that I will need a full site blog to keep others updated. I will look for one that is easier to maintain. If I can't find one, I will write one myself.

Ben

April 22, 2025

It's been over a year now and a lot of hours reconstructing Stockapp.

I think I've worked out most of the bugs. I've updated a lot of the feedback screens, and removed some things that were not necessary anymore. StockApp now accepts four different data services and if you include manual entries five.

This variety of data sources should keep it running for a much longer time. I will consider adding additional data services depending on the user base.

You will need to get a free key from your selected data service. Each data service offers some free data point downloads on a recurring basis.

I still need to work on the users manual, bundling images and the EULA acknowledgement while installing.

Mar 31, 2025

StockApp has been re-written and I'm testing until I can't find any major cosmetic errors.

There are currently four data services to get stock data from. A manual entry form has also been provided in the event non of the providers work.

Each of these providers will provide some data at no charge on an ongoing basis. Check with each provider to determine prices and data provided.

One user key works for both Mac and Windows versions of StockApp. I have priced this very inexpensively to remove essentially all barriers to begin tracking your investments.

We need to get the average working person back into investing and I think this program will help.

To get started there is a good set of rules to follow when investing for the first time.

Google Warrent Buffett's ten rules for investing and follow those.

If you're just starting out here is my personal summary and how I started

1. Pay off the credit cards - this is THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP OF ALL!!!!! The credit cards take several percentage points from you each month and this is the OPPOSITE of how we invest. When we invest we look for those same percentage points to come back to us!!!

2. Stay with me ... once you get those paid off (or simultanouly keeping up with paying those off) then ....
Divide your spare money into at least ten buckets of stocks. If you have only 100.00 to start, then divide by 3 and find three stocks to invest in, i.e. one share each.

4. To find good stocks you need a good analyst for recommendations. LOOK ONLY FOR DIVIDEND PAYING STOCKS - NOT THE HIGH FLYERS.

5. Buying a stock that does not pay a dividend is a speculation. Don't speculate.

4. If the stock is too cheap don't buy it. Find out why it's so cheap. It's a bad deal!

5. Don't spend your profits but find more stocks to invest in.

6. Opposite of Step 2 - don't spread to thin. Set a max set of stocks to invest in at one time.

If you are having trouble keeping up with what you own, then you have too many stocks.

Slim down your positions but when you are active in the market, don't go lower than five to ten and preferably ten. When you are not active in the market, it is ok to go to zero investment. But fwiw, when your out of the market, it's usually harder to convince yourself to get back in.

The theory is simple if you have ten stocks and one of them goes bankrupt you only loose ten percent.

If you have five stocks and one goes bankrupt then you loose 20 percent and that really stings.

Everyone's tolerance is different and you have to find yours.

April 20, 2024

So what happened to StockApp?

Well for those of you that downloaded earlier versions, it has been crippled and is no longer fuctional.

Why!

The service I used to update data has increased it's price by 400%.   I received no warning, notices, texts or other about the price increase. I'm not willing to pay that amount and furthermore do not wish to do business like that.

I write this software for the masses and attempt to keep the cost low for everyone.

In order to do that, I need to, for the umpteenth time, re-write the software.

Writing software takes a long time. I had anticipated some minor cost increases but not one that increased by over 400 percent in one year.

Hence, in the new version I'll see if I can eventually include end user options to supply data. That way, even in a crippling event like this, the software will continue to operate reguardless of the data supplier.

I work on this software on weekends and at night after all other house projects are complete. Since I use the software, I will try to update it to a pseudo usable state in a short time. If it gets there, there will be some features missing and additional bugs which I will address over time.

The first goal is to get last price or a reasonable recent price and of course dividends.   I am looking at a vendor that supplies this but the dividends only go back about a year instead of five years. This could pose a problem while transitioning.   The dividend information is what is used to calculate the long term results and if they are missing or incomplete then the calculations will be incorrect.

I always look for ways to keep the prices reasonable and will continue to do so. Sometimes that means taking longer to produce the product. In the end the product is typically better, and has a much longer lifespan.

I'll keep you updated via this page and thank you for your support!

Ben