----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 11:53
AM
Subject: [sharechat] The current status
of Teletext.
Reference: " Teletext and the 40 index." of 1
April 2001.
1. Introduction.
Teletext is useful because one can look quickly
at a vast array of share prices, while watching TV.
Updates appear every 10 minutes or so
and the investor does not have to contact his/ her broker, trying to
find out the latest price of a stock, before placing an order.
Frequently, the quoted price may not be
satisfactory and he may have to contact the broker again for a further
update.
Or, he feels that he should not worry the
broker too often and he places an order at the wrong time.
He does not want to switch on his computer - if
he has one - for extracting a share price. To do so will contribute to
higher power usage and
depreciation and should be avoided.
2. Past delivery by Teletext.
I have been in touch with Teletext over the
years. First, when there was a financial editor who was stationed in
Christchurch.
I had to implore him to include a new
company at listing time as this was the time when fortunes could be made or
lost.
( Frequently, the reader did not see the
stock on the Teletext Board till some six hours after
listing by the Stock exchange or the next day or later, and then
only after I mentioned it ).
Later, the responsibilities were shifted to
Auckland. For a time, the delivery was satisfactory although Teletext was
still not proactive in the
preparation of space
for a new
listing.
Some time ago, breakdowns became more
frequent and I contacted them again. Teletext explained that there was new
equipment on the way and that would solve the problems.
Summary: The teletext system,
when working, will save a lot of money. I have spent time and money
contacting them from time to time. I don't think that Teletext was
sufficiently aware of any financial costs incurred due to
malfunction or inattention.
3. Latest developments.
I contacted Teletext this morning and asked
the Business Manager about the ongoing problems.
After some discussion, she said that she would
send an email . She is aware that it will be published on this
Forum.
Gerry