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CheckStar III documentation
---------------------------
written by
Salim Sindhi
&
Bob Simpson
CheckStar III documentation page 1
----------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
Installing CheckStar III. . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3
Special Features:
----------------
Income/Expense Budget Reservation . . . . . . .Page 4
Memorization Features . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5
Bank Reconciliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6
Split transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6
Reminder Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7
Data Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8
Moving Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8
Erasing Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8
Checking the Account Balance. . . . . . . . . .Page 9
Printing report options . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9
Cash Debit and Credit options . . . . . . . . .Page 9
Special Keys and Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10
Sorting Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10
Configuring Checks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11
CheckStar III data file organization. . . . . . .Page 14
Warnings! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 15
CheckStar III documentation page 2
----------------------------------------------------------
Installing CheckStar III
========================
Step-1: For all users :
-------------
Make a backup copy of CheckStar III. Refer to your
DOS manual for instructions. Put the original
diskette in a safe place. Never run CheckStar III
or ANY program from the original disk.
Step-2: For floppy users only :
---------------------
If your DOS (bootable) disk does not already have
the file "CONFIG.SYS", copy this file from the
CheckStar III disk. If this file exists on your
DOS disk, be sure it has the commands "FILES=20"
and "BUFFERS=20". This minimum configuration is
adequate for most users. You may increase
"FILES= " up to 99 as needed to accommodate other
software in use on the system (ie: "FILES=30").
If you have changed or added to the "CONFIG.SYS"
file, reboot the system. Prepare a blank formatted
disk for data files. After DOS is loaded, insert
the backup copy of CheckStar III in drive A or B
and type "CS<RETURN>" to start. When the program
starts, remove the CheckStar III disk and insert
the data disk you prepared. The program disk is
not needed until you run the program again.
Step-2: For hard disk users only :
------------------------
If the root directory of your hard disk does not have
the file "CONFIG.SYS", copy this file from the
CheckStar III disk. If this file exists on your
DOS disk, be sure it has the commands "FILES=20"
and "BUFFERS=20". This minimum configuration is
adequate for most users. You may increase
"FILES= " up to 99 as needed to accommodate other
software in use on the system (ie: "FILES=30").
If you have changed or added to the "CONFIG.SYS"
file, reboot the system. Create a separate
sub-directory for CheckStar III. (Refer to your
DOS manual for instructions on how to make a
sub-directory.) Copy all files from the
CheckStar III disk into this new sub-directory.
Go to the new sub-directory and type "CS<RETURN>"
to start.
CheckStar III documentation page 3
----------------------------------------------------------
Getting Started
===============
1 : Accounts:
The first time you run CheckStar III, it will prompt
you to create your first account. After this, you
can create up to 98 accounts from the Main Menu
using option 'M'.
2 : Setup:
CheckStar III provides a complete setup routine. For
printing checks, setting printer modes, beep
controls, etc. use the Main Menu option 'U'.
3 : Categories:
When you make a new account, CheckStar III creates a
few categories. We strongly suggest that you build
your own list of up to 99 categories. Add or erase
them to suit your own needs. This will allow you to
use some of CheckStar III's best features. Select
option 'C' from the Main Menu, to build the category
list.
4 : Transactions:
CheckStar III offers 7 different types of
transactions for ease of use. Select option 'E'
from the Main Menu to enter the transaction of your
choice.
5 : List transactions:
You can review all transactions, search, correct,
clear, and move transactions using the Main Menu
option 'L'.
6 : Reports:
CheckStar III produces many reports. These include
category totals, budgets, all transactions in a
category, month to month variations, and more.
Select the Main Menu option 'R' to review these
features.
CheckStar III documentation page 4
----------------------------------------------------------
Income/Expense Budget Reservation
=================================
CheckStar III has the unique ability to maintain a record
of fixed or estimated expenses. These could include house
payments, utilities, bi-annual insurance payments, etc.
Each category you create, has an associated record.
CheckStar III updates each record monthly by the amount
reserved for that category. When you pay the bill, the
reserved balance is reduced by the same amount. The sum
total of all the reserved amounts is displayed in the
'Enter transaction' menu. CheckStar subtracts that total
from the bank balance to provide the user with the "Actual
balance available for you". This determines the
expendable income for the current month. To enter the
fixed expenses, select option 'C' from the Main Menu.
Then select option 'R' to reserve expenses for any
category you wish to budget. Enter the amount you want
subtracted every month. Here are a couple of examples:
Example-1: Let's say your house payment is $500 a month.
From the Main Menu, select option 'A'. Now select
option 'R' to reserve monthly expense. Enter the
category number you use for the house payment. Now
enter -500. From now on CheckStar III will add $500 to
the "Total Reserved" column every month STARTING NEXT
MONTH.
Example-2: Let's say you are paying $600 for insurance
every six month. As before, select option 'A' from the
Main Menu, then option 'R'. This time however, reserve
-100. CheckStar III will add $100 every month to the
"Total Reserved" column, giving you $600 in six months.
You may change the 'Total Reserved' amount for any
category. Simply select option 'C' from the Main Menu,
and select option 'C' from the sub-category to change the
selected amount.
From the Main Menu, select option 'E' to see these
balances.
Important :
---------
Enter a negative amount for a category which represents
expense and a positive amount an income. A positive
amount will not effect the 'Total Reserved', but
CheckStar III will use it to produce the budget report.
Restrictions for this feature:
-----------------------------
1 - You must run CheckStar III at least once a month. If
you do not have any transactions to enter, simply run
the program, and select each account before exiting
the program.
2 - You must have the correct date initialized in DOS
before running CheckStar III.
CheckStar III documentation page 5
----------------------------------------------------------
Memorizing entire transaction
=============================
CheckStar III let's you memorize the transactions that you
enter repeatedly. There are two ways to do this. First,
select option 'E' from the Main Menu. Then enter the
entire transaction as you normally would. After the last
entry, a window option will present 'M' to memorize as one
of the choices. Select 'M', and another window option
will ask you to select a number between 1 and 88. With that
window will appear the list of memorized transactions
already numbered. You may replace a currently memorized
transaction, or save the choice to an unused spot on the
list. The second way to memorize a transaction is to
select option 'L' from the Main Menu. Highlight the
transaction you wish to memorize and press 'Z' key. Again
you choose the position in the list from 1 to 88 to save
this transaction.
To use these memorized transactions, select option 'E'
from the Main Menu. Now press 'M' key and select the
number of the memorized transaction you wish to enter.
Memorizing Payee (with addresses), Payor or Memo
================================================
From the Main Menu, select option 'E'. Now select any
type of transaction to enter. After you have typed the
Payee or Payor you wish to enter, BEFORE YOU PRESS
<RETURN>, type Ctrl-A. Now select the number between 1
and 88 which will enter your choice into the list at that
position. Enter the memo in the same way. To use these
lists, enter the number of your choice and <RETURN> when
prompted for Payee, Payor, or Memo. Make sure the entire
entry line of Payee, Payor, or Memo is blank before
selecting the list number.
CheckStar III documentation page 6
----------------------------------------------------------
Balancing the account with the bank statement
=============================================
To balance an account with the bank statement, enter all
the current interest earned and service charges using the
Main Menu option 'E'. Then, to mark the transactions
which have cleared the bank, select option 'L' from the
Main Menu. Select option 'U' to find the first uncleared
transaction (visible by the 'N' to the left of the
transaction next to the balance). If this transaction has
cleared the bank, (it is listed on the bank statement)
type 'K' to clear it, or select option 'U' to go to next
uncleared transaction. When you clear a transaction,
CheckStar III puts a 'Y' in the "_/" column. Note : If
you clear the wrong transaction, type 'K' to unclear the
same transaction. After marking all the cleared
transactions, go to the Main Menu and select option 'B'.
Enter the ending bank balance and press the return key.
If the balances agree, CheckStar III will congratulate
you. If there is an error, you will have two options,
'R' and 'C'. Selection 'R' will allow you to review the
transactions for any entry errors that may exist. You can
review the transactions by selecting option 'L' or 'S'
from the Main Menu. If you can not find an error, repeat
option 'B' from the Main Menu. This time selecting option
'C' will balance the account by making a correction entry.
Split transactions
==================
This feature lets you break up a single transaction into
15 separate entries. Each entry can have its own memo
category and amount. To enter a split transaction, enter
the category as 'SP' instead of the standard category
number. After you entered the memo, a window option will
allow you to enter up to 15 separate categories, memos and
amounts. At the bottom of the window, CheckStar III
displays the total transaction amount. Every entry you
make will be subtracted from that amount. Be sure the
total amount is 0 before you press Ctrl-J to exit the
split function. This insures accurate reports in the
future.
CheckStar III documentation page 7
----------------------------------------------------------
Reminders
=========
CheckStar III offers five different types of reminders.
All reminders will automatically pop up if the due date is
within six days.
Here are examples of the five below :
-----------------------------------
Month Day Year Description
----- --- ---- ---------------------------
Example: 1 0 1 0 House payment.
Example: 2 -1 5 -1 Clean contact lenses.
Example: 3 11 25 0 My wife's birth date.
Example: 4 2 10 -1 Do Major tune-up.
Example: 5 4 10 88 Make appointment with Don.
Explanation of each reminder listed above ...
---------------------------------------------
Example-1 This reminder always triggers on the first of
every month.
Example-2 This reminder will trigger every month also,
but it will change the "day", the 5th, to
reflect the "done" day. If you cleaned the
lenses on the 10th (late), then the next
reminder will change to trigger in a month from
the 10th.
Example-3 This reminder will always trigger on the 25th
of November.
Example-4 This reminder will trigger once a year. If the
'done' date is not the current date, the day
and month will be updated to the 'done' day and
month and will trigger within a year of the new
date.
Example-5 This reminder will trigger only once. When
complete, CheckStar III will remove it from the
reminder file.
Scrolling Reminders :
-------------------
The reminders will automatically start scrolling at the
bottom of the screen when they are within six days of
being due. Their color reflects their status:
green = not yet due;
yellow = due today;
red = overdue.
When a reminder scrolls onto the screen, if you type the
key 'Y', CheckStar will know this reminder can be
cancelled.
CheckStar III documentation page 8
----------------------------------------------------------
Back up account
===============
There are two options to back up accounts. Option 'B'
backs up only the modified files used with the account.
Option 'F' forces a backup of all the files used in the
account. To perform a backup, select option 'M' from Main
Menu. Highlight the account you want to back up, and
select desired option 'B' or 'F'. Enter the drive letter
to which the backup is being made. Insert a formatted
floppy disk in selected drive and press the return key to
start. Remember, you are backing up one account at a
time.
Moving transactions
===================
Transactions which are out of order can be moved easily by
CheckStar III. From the Main Menu, select option 'L'.
Highlight the transaction you want to move and select
option 'V'. CheckStar III erases that transaction from
the file but keeps it in memory. Now highlight the
transaction below which you wish to place the moved
transaction, and select option 'V' again. CheckStar III
will place the transaction below the highlight bar.
Creating categories :
===================
Categories are a major portion of the value of this
program. It is recommended that you use them fully. To
create a category, select option 'C' from the Main Menu.
Then select option 'A' to create the desired category.
Note that the commands are visible by using the F5 key.
Erasing categories :
==================
You can erase categories as needed. First, create the
category to which transactions in the unwanted category
can be transferred. Then go to the Main Menu and select
option 'L'. Select option Ctrl-G, which will allow you to
transfer the transactions in question. Go back to the
Main Menu and select option 'C', then option 'E' which
will delete the unwanted category. If you delete a
category which still has transactions, the orphaned
transactions are assigned a category of '0'. You can
restore them to a different category using the Ctrl-G
option as described above.
CheckStar III documentation page 9
----------------------------------------------------------
Recalculating ending balance :
============================
CheckStar III calculates the balances shown 'on the fly'.
It is occasionally possible for a power glitch, or even
(Heaven forbid) a bug in the program to cause a
calculation error. If this happens, or you wish to
double-check the balance, use the recalculation feature.
Select option 'L' then 'R'. CheckStar III will go to the
first transaction of the account and recalculate the
balance to the end.
Printing more than one category from Report Menu option 'G' :
===========================================================
You can separate the category numbers by commas.
Example
-------
1,2,7,9,25,3,66
Printing an entire transaction on an 80 column printer :
=====================================================
From the Main Menu, select option 'U'. Now select option
'2' and enter the compressed code. This compressed mode
will print about 130 characters on an 80 column wide printer.
Now you can go to the cMain Menu and print reports.
Printing Budget Reports
=======================
CheckStar III uses Reserved Expenses and Reserved Income
to produce budget reports. CheckStar III will calculate
the number of days between starting and ending date. So,
the report can be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or
yearly depending upon the difference between the starting
and ending date.
Cash Credit and Cash Debit transactions :
=======================================
Cash transactions have no effect on account balances but
are useful for bookkeeping or tax purpose. Let's take a
simple example. If you bought groceries and paid cash, you
could document this expenditure using a Cash Debit
transaction. If you returned an item purchased for a cash
refund, you could enter this transaction as a Cash Credit.
CheckStar III will utilize this data when generating
reports.
CheckStar III documentation page 10
----------------------------------------------------------
Hot Keys
========
Press Alt-H key any time to see Hot Keys.
Editing Keys
============
Press Alt-E key any time to see Editing Commands.
'*' indication
==============
If the check numbers are not in order or checks are
missing, CheckStar III puts '*' in front of it when you
list transactions.
If you are using the Reserved Expense feature, CheckStar III
puts '*' in a category list for unpaid categories.
Swapping / sorting accounts
===========================
You need at least two accounts to use this feature. From
the Main Menu, select option 'M'. Highlight the first
account you want swapped and press the 'S' key. Then
highlight the second account you want swapped and press
the 'S' key again. This feature may be useful to sort
accounts in any order.
CheckStar III documentation page 11
----------------------------------------------------------
Configuring Checks
==================
Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~
CheckStar uses a simple but effective technique to format
its data to fit your check. It uses a standard ASCII file
to define the layout. Special commands are used to define
the data's location within the check form, and to transmit
printer codes. Fixed messages can also be included.
How it works
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The information CheckStar prints on a check, comes from two
sources. The first is the transaction selected by the user
to be printed. The second is fixed information entered by
the user into the check form.
The transaction offers the following data which can be
printed on the check: the Payee, the Payee's address, the
amount, the transaction date, the check number, and the memo.
The split memos and amounts may also be printed. The
information is inserted in the check form by use of the
following special commands:
@CN Check Number
@CD Current Date
@TD Transaction Date
@TP Transaction Payee
@TA Transaction Amount
@TM Transaction Memo
@WA Written Amount
@AD Payee Address
@SM Split Memo
@SA Split Amount
@P$ Printer Control
@LF Line Feed
The check form can include fixed messages of any type, such as
your name and address, driver's license number etc by simply
entering that information in the form.
A simple example of a check form is as follows:
Your Name Drivers lic. no. @CN----
Your Address
City, State Zip @TD---------
@TP-------------------------------- @TA--------
@WA------------------------------------------------
@TM-------------------------------
CheckStar III documentation page 12
---------------------------------------------------------------
CheckStar uses this form to properly position the data that is
to be printed. For example 'Your Name' would be printed two
lines down from the top of the form and indented thirteen spaces.
'Drivers lic. no.' would be printed on the same line starting at
space 29.
The special commands begin with the '@' character. CheckStar
will substitute these commands with actual data from the
selected transaction. (For example the '@TA------' command would
be replaced with amount 134.78). The characters following the
special commands (in this example they are '-------') are used to
indicate the maximum space allowed for that data. If the data
exceeds the maximum allowed, then CheckStar will not print the
characters exceeding the limit.
There are two commands which require specific information
following the initial three characters. These are '@P$' and
'@LF'. These commands will not be printed on the checks and will
not affect the position of other commands or fixed messages.
(For example the following line:
'@LF25 This is a test'
would be printed as
'This is a test'.
The spaces used by the '@LF25 ' command will disappear when the
form is printed.
The first command, '@P$', allows printer control codes to be
sent within the form. The format requires the use of the decimal
equivalent of the character to be sent, separated by commas.
For example, if you have an Epson FX compatible dot matrix
printer, and wish to print in the NLQ printer mode, then you
would enter the command '@P$27,40'. The command length should
not exceed 30 characters total. Refer to your printer manual
for the printer codes options you can use.
The second command, '@LF', allows extra lines to be inserted in
the printed form without actually having them in the check form.
The format is '@LF1' up to '@LF99' which will insert the number
of lines requested. This command is particularly useful when
using fractional line stepping to match an uneven check form.
A second example of a check form with control codes:
@P$27,40
Your Name Drivers lic. no. @CN----
Your Address
City, State Zip @TD---------
@TP-------------------------------- @TA--------
@LF2 @WA------------------------------------------------
@LF2 @P$27,15 @TM-------------------------------
CheckStar III documentation page 13
---------------------------------------------------------------
Note that in the second check form example we have entered
control codes. Positionally everything will be in the same
place as the original example form, because as the form is
printed the control commands will disappear which will
reposition the data as before. Also note that the memo will
now be printed in compressed print.
Getting Started
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before you begin customizing your form, you should have already
run CheckStar and created an account. We have included a check
form editor and tester for your use. It is FormEditor by
786 Systems, and can be used by typing 'FE' followed by a space
and then the name of the check form to be edited. The check form
will be in the same subdirectory as CheckStar and will have the
same name as the account you created, with an extension of 'SET'.
For example, if you have created an account named 'PERSONAL',
then the check form file will have a file name of 'PERSONAL.SET'.
You can edit that file using FormEditor by typing "FE PERSONAL.SET".
Using FormEditor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you have used an ASCII text editor before, you will find the
commands to be standard. The cursor movement is controlled by
the arrow keys with the page keys, home & end, delete & insert,
and backspace all having normal functions. If you are not
familiar with these keys, the function key 'F1' will remind you
of their use. You should experiment with them before trying to
create your check form.
Laying out Check Form
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To layout a check form that suits your needs, use FormEditor to
edit the check form you wish to configure. Move the special
commands to a position which approximates the check layout you
wish to print. You may add commands or delete them as needed.
You may also type your own fixed messages into the form. Be sure
to add enough line feeds at the end of the form to feed the check
out of the printer or to advance to the next check form. When the
form appears correct, load a piece of paper into the printer in
the same way you will be loading your checks, and send a test.
Then take a check and position it over the test form. Carefully
line up the top and left edges. Hold the test form and check up
to a light and see if the printed lines fall within the desired
positions. Repeat the procedure until your check form test
accurately aligns with the format of your check. When you are
through, press F10 to save the form for use by CheckStar.
CheckStar III files page 14
----------------------------------------------------------
ACCOUNTS.DAT -> Main data file that saves all account's
information. If this file is missing,
CheckStar III assumes you are running
CheckStar III for the first time.
REMINDER.DAT -> CheckStar III stores all reminders in
this file.
The two files mentioned above, are common to all accounts.
CheckStar III creates six other files for each accounts.
If you create an account with the name 'PERSONAL',
CheckStar III will create the following six files.
PERSONAL.DAT -> transactions file
PERSONAL.CAT -> category list
PERSONAL.AUT -> memorized transactions
PERSONAL.MEM -> memorized memos
PERSONAL.PAY -> memorized payees/payors
PERSONAL.SET -> CheckStar III configuration
HELP.DOC -> Documentation (this file)
CheckStar III documentation page 15
----------------------------------------------------------
W A R N I N G S
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
o - When you back up accounts, make sure you have enough
room on the floppy disk. If you run out of room,
CheckStar III creates the files with zero bytes. If
the data files are to big to fit the backup disk, use
the DOS backup command or any standard backup program
to back up your data files. These programs will
split the files to fit more than one disk.
o - For floppy users :
----------------
Never exchange data diskette BEFORE you select option
'X' from Main Menu. You may damage data files or
write data files of one disk to another.
Notes :
-----
Notes :
-----
Notes :
-----
