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Text File | 1991-08-21 | 24KB | 416 lines

Welcome to QDCHECK! This is the Quick & Dirty Checkbook Balancing Program, Version 2.0. Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990 by Ben Bednarz. Introduction: The purpose of this program is to help you balance your checking account. As you might guess from the name (QD stands for "Quick & Dirty"), this program is designed to be used with a minimum of time and effort. Although it is a very capable program, QDCHECK was intentionally designed not to be a complete home finance program. Instead, this program is intended for people who are too busy (or too lazy) to spend a lot of time on bookkeeping. It will do the arithmetic, and will make it easy to "balance the account" (that is, to compare your records with the bank statements). Generally speaking, this is the first checkbook balancing program that is more convenient than doing the work by hand. Try it, and see if you don't agree! General Features: QDCHECK is a checkbook balancing program. The user need only enter the transaction amounts (i.e., the dollar amounts of checks, cash withdrawals, deposits), and the program does the rest. It will store the account as a file, and print reports. It will keep a running total, and also keep track of the total based on comparison with bank statements. The user can move around in the account file, and do such things editing previously entered amounts, editing check numbers (which are otherwise handled automatically), and deleting and inserting entries. The program also includes on-screen help (just press "?"). Versions: This is Version 2.0 of QDCHECK. It has several enhancements over Version 1.0, such as improved convenience, the addition of comments, better file handling, and other goodies. These improvements are based on my own experiences and suggestions from registered users. If you are upgrading from Version 1.0 (you really should be upgrading to Version 3.0 by registering), there is a section at the end of this file to discuss that. By the way, if you want to learn more about Version 3.0, check out the file "PREVIEW3.TXT". A Word From the Sponsor: This version of this program (2.0) is SHAREWARE. That means the program is being "loaned" to you for a trial period (e.g., a few months). If you like the program and decide to use it on a regular basis, you should become a registered user. To become a registered user, please send your name and address, along (this is important!) with $15 to: Ben Bednarz c/o 567 High St. SE Salem, Ore. 97301 If you are having doubts about parting with that hard-earned $15 (or if you are just too busy), here are two good reasons for becoming a registered user: 1) Version 2.0 is only good for about 1000 records, which means that one day, when you are really comfortable this program, it will refuse to save any more records. 2) Version 3.0 is available now! Version 3.0 has no limit on the number of records, and has various enhancements (including faster screen display and better help). Alas, Version 3.0 is only available to registered users; it is *not* shareware. Register now and I will immediately send you Version 3.0. 3) More generally, special attention will be given to the complaints, requests, and suggestions of registered users. If you ever wanted a direct pipeline to the creators of the programs you use, here is your chance! So try out the program, and then please register. *************************************************************************** ***** QDCHECK is designed to be very intuitive and easy to use. You ***** ***** should be able to use the program with little instruction. The ***** ***** following is a complete description of QDCHECK and its use. It ***** ***** is recommended recommended that you skim through this file once ***** ***** but otherwise you shouldn't need to worry about it. ***** *************************************************************************** The Goals of QDCHECK: => To make sure that you haven't forgotten any checks, deposits, etc. => To verify the account total; e.g., that there are no arithmetic errors. => To match your records with those of the bank ("balance the account"). The General Plan: Although this program might be used in a variety of ways, the following describes the two-stage plan for which it was originally designed. Stage 1: Transactions are entered into the program. Usually, these transactions (checks written, deposits made, cash withdrawals such as from a bank machine) are written in the checkbook on the day they occur. Then every few days (or every month, if so desired), the amounts are entered directly into the program, using only the numeric keypad. Note that this is just like checking your arithmetic on a calculator. Stage 2: When the bank statement arrives, the transactions are matched between those in the QDCHECK file, and those on the statement. This involves only moving through the program and hitting the space bar on transactions that match. Errors are easily corrected, including inserting forgotten checks, adding service charges, deleting or changing other transactions, etc. The final balance amount will then match the bank statement. (If it doesn't, then either you still have an error, or the bank has an error.) Note that this two-stage plan is just the automation of the old-fashioned method of using a pencil and a calculator. Specifics of Operation: ** Because QDCHECK is such an easy program to use, just ** ** skim the following sections, and then try it yourself. ** ** Remember that hitting "?" during the program will give ** ** you a help screen. ** 1) Starting QDCHECK For The First Time- If the program cannot find any checking account files (we will discuss files below), it assumes you are starting the program for the first time. a) It starts by showing the date and time, as specified by your computer. If those items are wrong, you should exit (press Escape), and set the date and time from the DOS command line. b) After asking about the date and time, the program will ask for a starting check number (see discussion of check numbers below). c) Finally, the program will ask for an initial balance for the account. Since this initial balance is not a transaction, it will not have a check number (the check numbers will start after it). It can, however, be positive, negative, or zero. This initial balance is entered in the same way as entering a transaction (see below). You only have to go through this procedure when starting a new account/file. Otherwise, you will procede immediately to step 3) below. 2) Understanding The Main Display- The main display consists of three parts: boxed information on the top of the screen, a single line on the bottom of the screen that is used to ask questions or present menu choices, and the check listings in between. We will describe these parts in a little more detail: a) In the top, middle of the screen is the name of the program, QDCHECK. The reason for mentioning this is that there is also a reminder there to hit "?" for help. Version 2.0 of QDCHECK provides a limited amount of help, but this feature will be expanded in future versions. b) In the top, left box is a date and time marked "Last". This is the last time the file was saved. c) In the top, right box is a statement about F9 and F10. The meaning of this will be explained more fully below, but for now it enough for you to understand that the F9 and F10 function keys each act as toggles (F9 causes the alternation between COM and BAL, while F10 causes the alternation between ON and OFF). d) In the second row of boxes are a set of three dollar amounts. These are actually a repeat of the last transaction entered into the file. Thus, if you are changing the amounts of some early checks, you will see in these boxes the changes for the present state of the account. These three boxes are also positioned to correspond to the three columns that show dollar amounts going down the screen. The three columns are for transactions entered (e.g., checks), the running total of the account (up to that point), and the balance total (which will be explained in about 5 lines). e) There are five columns in the central part of the display. The first column is the check number (or blank where there is none). The second column is either a "O", an "X" or a blank. The "X" and "O" are there to mark which transactions match those in your bank statements. The difference between "O" and "X" is that "O" is for transactions you've matched in the past, while "X" is for transactions your matching right now (in simple terms, each "X" is changed into an "O" when your file is saved). The last column (listed as "balance") is a running total of *only* the marked ("X" or "O") transactions. It therefore represents the balance of the account as seen by the bank. The third column is the transaction amount (check, deposit, etc.), and the fourth is a running total of *all* transactions, and is therefore the account balance as seen by you (i.e., the sum of everything in your checkbook). Of these five column, you enter only two things: the transaction amount (column 3) and the mark ("X" or "O") that indicates matches with your bank statement. f) The last column ("balance") has an alternative use: starting with Version 2.0, you can add comments on each transaction. This column can be made (using the F9 function key) to show those comments. g) Finally, at the bottom of the screen there is a line that is usually blank. You may be asked questions there (such as, "Are you sure?"), or given menu choices. This is a good place to look for information. The following shows part of a typical screen: ═════════════════════╦═══════════════════════════╦══════════════════════════ Last: 12/25/88 11:52 ║ QDCHECK: Press ? for help ║ F9 show BAL F10 edit OFF ═══════════╦═════╦═══╩═══════════════╦═══════════╩═══════╦══════════════════ Check Num. ║ Bal ║ Amt: $ 200000.00- ║ Tot: $1100000.00- ║ Bal: $ 700000.00+ ═══════════╩═════╩═══════════════════╩═══════════════════╩══════════════════ │ O │ 1000000.00+ │ 1000000.00+ │ 1000000.00+ 101 │ O │ 100000.00- │ 900000.00+ │ 900000.00+ 102 │ │ 500000.00- │ 400000.00+ │ 900000.00+ │ │ 200000.00+ │ 600000.00+ │ 900000.00+ │ │ 900000.00- │ 300000.00- │ 900000.00+ 103 │ X │ 200000.00- │ 1100000.00- │ 700000.00+ Note that the final amount in the total ("Tot") column ($1,100,000.00-) is the what your checkbook would show (the sum of all your transactions), while the final amount ($700,000.00+) in the balance column ("Bal") is what the bank says you have. This is because the bank (according to the "X's" and "O's" you marked, based on your bank statement) has only received three of the transactions (an initial deposit and checks #101 and #103). 3) Basic Operation: Entering Transactions- Entering dollar amounts is very easy... just turn on your numlock, and start using the numeric keypad like on a calculator. The following special keys are also used: a) Use the decimal or period to alternate between entering dollars and entering cents. One of the changes between Version 1.0 and 2.0 is that dollar amounts are entered starting with the right column, while cents are entered with first with the left column. Thus, typing first a "1" and then a "2" will put "12" if you are entering a dollar amount, but will put "21" if you are entering a cents amount. The reason that cents are treated differently from dollars is that you can now type ".", then "5", to get ".50", whereas in version 1.0 this would have given you ".05". b) Use backspace to delete the last digit. Note that to delete a digit to the right of the decimal place (the cents), you have to editing on that side of the decimal (that is, press the decimal key and then backspace). Use Control-Backspace to delete the entire entry. c) Finish entering the amount by hitting one of the following: "+" (plus) : To enter as a positive transaction (deposit). "-" (minus) : To enter as a negative cash transaction (service charge or cash withdrawal). There is NO check number assigned. <Return> : To enter as a check (negative, and with check number assigned). The are some alternates for these keys: "=" (equal) is the same as "+" (plus) "*" (star) is the same as "-" (minus) This is slightly different from version 1.0 (if you are upgrading), but is intended as an added convenience for users of 101-key keyboards. In essence, this is all like using a calculator to check your arithmetic. 4) Basic Operation: Moving Around- When the program starts, you are placed at the end of the file, so that you can start entering new transactions. But it is also possible to move back to previous transactions for review & editing. a) Start by turning the NumLock key OFF. b) Now use the numeric keypad as a cursor keypad. Hence hit: The "Up" Arrow - to move up one line. The "Down" Arrow - to move down one line. "PgUp" (Page Up) - to move up 18 lines (one screen full). "PgDn" (Pg Down) - to move down 18 lines. "Home" - to move to the beginning of the file. "End" - to move to the end of the file (last transaction). The "End" key is especially important when you are done reviewing and want to get to the end of the file to enter new transactions. *************************************************************************** Note: The numeric keypad is used both for entering numbers and for moving in the file. To enter numbers, put the "NumLock" ON, to move around, turn the "NumLock" OFF. The "NumLock" key is usually just above the numeric (cursor) keypad. *************************************************************************** 5) Basic Operation: Editing Previous Transactions- It is very easy to change an earlier entry: a) Turn "NumLock" OFF, and move to the transaction in question. b) Turn "NumLock" ON, and enter the new amount, ending by hitting "+", "-", or <carriage return> (or one of the alternative keystrokes). c) The program may ask you "Are you sure?". Type "y" to keep the change, or "n" to go back to the original amount. d) Turn "NumLock" OFF again to move to another location. 6) Basic Operation: Inserting and Deleting Transactions- a) To insert a transaction between previously entered transactions, press <Insert> (with the "NumLock" OFF). You will be asked if you are sure, and if you type "y", it will insert a blank line. b) To delete a transaction, press <Delete> (with the "NumLock" OFF). You will be asked if you are sure, and if you type "y", it will remove that transaction. 7) Basic Operation: Matching with a Bank Statement- To balance your account, you have to mark transactions that match those listed in the bank statement. To do this is simple: a) With "NumLock" OFF, move to each matching transaction. b) Hit <space bar>. An "X" will appear in the second column. If you keep hitting the <space bar>, the "X" will come and go. c) QDCHECK automatically calculates the changes in the "Balance" column. Special Note: I usually use a pen to put a checkmark on the bank statement, next to each transaction, as I match transactions. This helps to make sure I don't match the same transaction twice, and to verify that the bank doesn't have any extra transactions. 8) Basic Operation: Change check numbers- Checks are normally numbered from the first check on. You can change the checks numbers using the left cursor key. Once you tap the left cursor (be sure that Num Lock is OFF), then the cursor will go to the left end of line, so that you can input a new check number. All numbers from will increase from this new value. As an example: You have just opened a new account and were given a set of temporary checks numbered 100-200. So you start QDCHECK with the starting number 100. The checks thereafter will be numbered 101, 102, 103, etc. A month later, you get your "real" checks, which start with number 1001. You can use the left cursor (or option (1) from the menu, as described below) to change to the *new* check numbers to 1001, 1002, 1003, etc. The previously entered checks will still list as 100, 101, 102, etc. 9) Basic Operation: Enter/edit comment- One of the new features with Version 2.0 is "Comments." Because QDCHECK emphasizes ease and speed of use, it does not ask for detailed information about your transactions. Those fancy money management programs record a lot of information - such as who the checks are written for, why you wrote them, the date they were written, and so on - which means a lot of extra work for you. On the other hand, it is nice to be able to make a quick note about some transaction. One simple example is if you can't read your own hand writing, and you're not sure whether that check you wrote is for $10 or $70. For whatever reason, you will occasionally need to attach short notes to your transaction. >>The procedure for making a comment: a) Move the light bar until you are at the appropriate check. b) Tap the right cursor. The "balance amount" (the right hand column) will show any current comment for that transaction. The cursor will be at the start of the comment. c) Enter your comment, or edit what's there. You can use the left or right cursors to move, the backspace or delete to get rid of characters, or just type. Hitting <Alt>-D will put in the current date. d) When you are done, hit enter to go back to normal mode. NOTE: If you fill the entire comment, you will automatically be sent back to normal mode. Comments are only allowed to be 19 characters long. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > This completes the list of "Basic" Features. However, there are a < > number of advanced conveniences that QDCHECK also makes available. < > The following features help you to make better use of QDCHECK without < > interfering with your basic process of balancing your checkbook. < >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 10) Special Feature: F10 (confirm ON/OFF)- When you want to change (edit) a previously entered transaction, you are usually asked by the program "Are you sure?", to make sure that you really want to make that change. However, suppose you had a lot of changes to make; then being asked that question on every change would be a real nuisance. So if you press F10, it will turn the confirmation OFF (which shows as "OFF" in the top right corner of the screen). Repeatedly pressing F10 will toggle confirmation as OFF or ON. 11) Special Feature: F9 (show comment/balance)- To be able to make use of comments, you have to be able to view them. You can, of course, hit the right cursor key to view any given comment. Then hitting the <enter> key will put you back into normal mode. However, there is a better way: Use the F9 function key to view all comments. The F9 key toggles between showing all of the comments, or showing the running "balance total." Using F9, you can view your comments while you continue to enter checks and such. Note: Hitting F9 once will show all comments. Hitting F9 a second time will put back the running balance. 12) Special Feature: <Escape> for a menu- Pressing the Escape key (<Esc>) will cause QDCHECK to display a menu of choices along the bottom line of the screen. The possibilities are: a) To change a check number. This works just like the left cursor described above. This is here only as a left-over from Version 1.0, and is not part of the menu for Version 3.0. b) To print a report. This has two sub-options: you can print the entire file, or you can print from the current position forward. c) There is also a "file" choice, which gives the file sub-menu. This gives you three choices: >> Save file. You can save the file, and then continue working on it. >> Next file. >> Previous file. Your transactions are stored in a series of files. This allows you to go forwards or backwards between files, making it easy to review or edit old transactions. For further discussion on this, see below. d) To quit. You will be asked whether you really want to quit, and also whether you wish to save the file before quitting. e) There is also a choice "Cancel" which means you don't want any of the other choices, and only wish to continue working on the account. This completes the description of all of the operational features of QDCHECK. Regarding Files: In Version 1.0, all of your transactions were saved in one file, called "checking.act." The problem is that Version 1.0 could only handle a maximum of 1200 files, and then would stop working. Starting with Version 2.0, this has changed. Now your transactions are saved in a series of files "checking.001," "checking.002," and so on. Only the very latest (last) file is named "checking.act." Each file is 500 transactions long, and they form a chain containing all of your transactions. Since there can be up to 998 of these files, that's roughly 500,000 transactions. Anyone expecting to exceed that many transactions can afford an accountant and doesn't need this program. Here are a few other pointers: 1) The file "checking.act" is your current file, with your latest transactions; this will be automatically loaded when you start QDCHECK. You can then move to previous files using the "file" sub-menu, as described above. 2) There is also (usually) a file "checking.old." This is created when you save a file. It exist mainly in case of some disaster striking your hard drive. If something ever happens to your various files, you can recover much of your transactions using "checking.old." Regarding Upgrading: If you are upgrading from an earlier version (i.e., Version 1.0 to Version 2.0), then QDCHECK will automatically upgrade your files. If you are concerned about this upgrading process, you might make copies of "checking.act" and any other files before running QDCHECK. A Final Special Reminder: Please become a registered owner. You even get the next version free! (Look at the file "PREVIEW3.TXT" for more information on Version 3.0.)