17 Bit Software 4: Phase Four

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ 17 Bit Software 4: Phase Four / 17Bit_Phase_Four.iso / files / 3051.dms / 3051.adf / Account_Master.doc < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1993-02-07 | 18.3 KB | 500 lines

' 0;32;43m 0m 1;32;43m Account Master v2.12 0m 0;32;43m 0m 0;32;43m Written by Martin Platt in 1992/3 0m 0;32;43m 0m 0;32;43m using Amos and Devpac version 3 0m 0;32;43m 0m 2m Congratulations on an excellent choice of Home Finance program! 2m Account Master2 contains many improvements over version 1 and I 2m hope it does everything you expect. If there are any features or 2m additions you would like to see, let me know and I will incorporate 2m them into v2.2. Here's a brief explanation of how the program works. 2m What can it do? 2m Briefly, Account Master has the ability to use the Amigas real time 2m clock to automatically carry out regular direct debit transactions. 2m You could leave it a day, a week or a lifetime but as soon as you 2m load Account Master your account will be updated. 2m 2m You want multi-tasking? No problem ! 2m 2m Upto 1000 entries can be accepted per account. You can search any one 2m of those entries for any piece of data: description, code, debit amount, 2m credit amount, deferred entry... 2m 2m Full editing features. Alter any entry in any fashion in any order. 2m Dates can also be altered. By the way, dates do not need to be entered 2m chronologically, Account Master sorts this out for you. 2m 2m Full printing facilities are available. Print the whole account, print 2m from a specific date, print direct debit details, print deferred 2m entries, print code definitions... 2m All deferred items are printed in bold italics. 2m 2m A dedicated file requester supplied with all the usual options 2m including the ability to delete a specific account. 2m 2m Don't like the default colours? Alter them using the built in palette 2m control! 2m 2m 2m And much much more... (Ha Ha !) 2m 2m Regards, Martin. == Index. == 0.0 Environment Note. 1.0 Useage 2.0 Known Bugs/Still to implement 3.0 Main Display operation 4.0 View Window operation 5.0 Future improvements 6.0 You may need to know... 7.0 Beta Test Credits 8.0 History 9.0 Shareware Notice 10.0 Correspondance Note 10.1 Correspondance Address/Telephone number == == ---------------------- 0.0 Environent Note ---------------------- 2m When running Account Master for the first time, the program will 2m assume its' default configuration. To alter your environment, select 2m item two (Environment) of the first pull down menu. 2m At the editor screen you select : 2m a) Which drive you intend to use for storing account details 2m b) Which directory you intend using, this can be the root directory 2m or any subdirectory you choose. No check is made at this point to see 2m if the path you specified exists. 2m c) Whether you have a battery backed real time clock or need to input 2m the date each time AM runs. 2m d) Whether you wish AM to make automatic backups of your accounts 2m e) The century... 2m f) Bell on/off , an audible alarm to gain your ATTENTION! 2m g) Save, Use or Cancel. If you choose to return without 2m saving or using then Account Master will assume the default set-up 2m of : DF0:<no subdir>, Set Clock, No Backup, Bell on, 20th Century<!>. 2m h) Your preffered colours. ---------------- 1.0 Usage ---------------- ----------------------------------------------- 1.1 File Menu About ======================== 2m Opens window and displays programming details Environment ================== 2m Displays Environment screen. Select your preferred environment and exit. 2m Account Master reads its' environment when first run to determine where 2m to read/save accounts, which drive to use etc. It is advisable you 2m complete this section. (The default environment will be assumed if 2m you do not.) Open ========================= (LMB= Left Mouse Button) 2m Displays the Open account requester. Select an account in the display 2m window by moving pointer over required account. Press LMB twice for 2m immediate loading or once and then move to Load button and press LMB. 2m To Open a New account, move pointer to lowest input window and press 2m LMB. Enter Account name as required and press return. The account 2m requester will dissappear. The account is now open. 2m To quit without opening an account, move pointer to Quit button and 2m press LMB. 2m To enter a new subdirectory, move pointer to upper input window and 2m press LMB or select directory from display window by moving pointer 2m over required directory and pressing LMB. 2m LMB on Drives produces a list of the available drives. Select an 2m alternative drive by moving pointer over required drive and pressing LMB. 2m Delete a highlighted account by moving onto Delete button and pressing 2m Left AND Right mouse buttons together. Save ======================== 2m Displays the Save account requester. 2m Requester operates as above. Save As ===================== 2m Displays the Save As file requester. 2m Requester operates as Open. Clear Account =============== 2m This option clears the loaded account from memory but leaves any 2m Code definitions and/or Direct Debits intact. 2m ( Can be used when maximum entries have been reached- 1000 and you 2m need to start a new account but wish to maintain current Direct Debits 2m and or Code Definitions ). Quit ======================== 2m Quits Account Master. If an account has been amended/updated a window 2m appears requesting QUIT or CANCEL. 2m ----------------------------------------------- 1.2 Update Account F6 ================= 2m Displays Transaction Document. 2m All fields and all buttons are active. If you enter incorrect data 2m (invalid date or amount), Account Master will tell you. 2m Dates prior to 1992 will NOT be accepted. 2m When a code is entered, a check is made to see if a description exists. 2m If it does, the item field is updated. Amounts up to £999,999.99 are 2m accepted. 2m Select NEXT for multiple entries, when you're finished, select DONE. 2m CLEAR clears all data entry fields. 2m To quit without entering any data, LMB on DONE. 2m LMB on CANCEL to erase all current fields and quit Transaction Doc. 2m The document defaults to a checked debit amount. To change LMB on 2m required button: DEFER, CHECKED, CREDIT, DEBIT. Direct Debit F7 ============ 2m Displays Direct Debit Document. 2m Operation as above. Frequency defaults to MONTHLY. LMB on any of 2m of the other options to alter. 2m When Opening an account, Account Master checks for the existence of 2m a direct debit record. If found, it searches the loaded account, 2m finds out when it was last updated and enters any new items that 2m require updating. 2m Code Definitions ============= 2m Displays Code Definitions Window. To add a code definition, move 2m the mouse pointer over any one of the 22 descriptions and press LMB 2m Enter code and descrition as required. ----------------------------------------------- 1.3 View Account Item ================= 2m Opens the View window. Enter the item you wish to view in the item box. 2m You must either enter something or select OK or the Close gadget. 2m Quit to main display - position pointer over OK button and press LMB. 2m See View Window (section 4.0) for an explanation of it's features. Code ========================= 2m Opens View window. Enter desired code. (See above.) Debit Amount ================= 2m Opens View window. Enter debit amount. (See Account Item.) Credit Amount ================ 2m Opens View window. Enter credit amount. (See Account Item.) Direct Debit ================= 2m Opens View window. Displays details of all Direct Debits relating to 2m loaded account. Full editing facilities are available from here. 2m See View Window (section 4.0) for an explanation. Code Definitions ============= 2m Opens Code Definitions window. Enter code to view. To return to the 2m main screen, move pointer over OK button and press LMB. Deferred Entries ============= 2m Opens View window and displays the loaded accounts' current deferred 2m entries. Full editing is available. --------------------------------------------- 1.4 Report Full Account ================= 2m Print Full Account details. Part Account ================= 2m Print Part Account. Enter the required date as requested or CANCEL. Direct Debit ================= 2m Print Direct Debit details. Code Definitions ============== 2m Print code definitions. Note. Ensure you have a printer connected and on-line or you'll get locked out. --------------------------------------------- 1.5 User Contact ====================== 2m Displays my name and address. If you want the latest release, send 2m me a stamped addressed envelope and disk. -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- 2.0 Known Bugs/Still to implement --------------------------------- 2.1 Known bugs 2m Bugs ? What Bugs ?! 2m Sometimes when Account Master loads, the screen does not appear! 2m I assume this a compiler problem. To get around this problem, hold 2m down the left Amiga key and press A a couple of times. I must stress 2m this is a VERY occasional problem and hope it doesn't cause too much 2m inconvenience. 2.2 Still to implement 2m Version 2.2 which I'm currently working on allows you to catagorise 2m and budget your expenses using the code definitions and then displays 2m a graphic view of each budgeted item. ---------------------------------------------- -------------------------- 3.0 Main Display Operation -------------------------- 3.1 It's Intuitive isn't it ?! 2m I hope so anyway. Here's a brief description. 2m Once you've opened an account, you can edit any item by moving the 2m mouse pointer over the required line and pressing LMB. To deselect, 2m move pointer over Cancel button and press LMB. 2m To Delete, highlight line as above, LMB on Delete and again on 2m Confirm (or Cancel if you've changed your mind). 2m To Edit, highlight line and then LMB on Edit. This brings up the 2m View/Edit window. Edit as required. See View Window ( sec.4.0 ) for 2m a detailed explanation. 2m Scroll through your account using the slider bar to the right of the 2m screen or use the up/down arrows below slider. 2m The close gadget at the top left of the screen is a QUIT QUICK option, 2m you are not given a chance to cancel! 2m The screen to back gadget at the top right of the screen sends 2m Account Master to the back. (Yes, AMOS and Account Master MULTI-TASK). 2m ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------- 4.0 View Window Operation ------------------------- 4.1 What's on offer ? / What's on offer! 2m Select your item to edit by moving pointer over required line and 2m pressing LMB. If you've highlighted on the main screen ignore the above. 2m (You can "scroll" through the items within View Window by LMB on the 2m two arrows to the right of the display.) 2m Watch the *lights* above the buttons to see what's on offer. 2m Selecting EDIT activates all input fields, CREDIT, DEBIT and OK. 2m When you're done LMB on OK and your ready to edit another or return 2m to main display. (Depends how you reached the View Wind.) 2m If you've reached the View wind from the View pull down menu, you've 2m asked to see a range of related records eg. Show me all records with 2m the code H. If you want to view a new range (item, code, debit or 2m credit) move mouse pointer over one of the three grey input boxes and 2m press LMB. You can then enter your new details. 2m If you have the option to print, there will be a "light" above the 2m PRT Button; LMB on this to print. 2m The C and D buttons refer to Checked and Deferred respectively. 2m Change the C/D item you've selected by LMB on the required button. 2m To quit, LMB on OK button. ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- 5.0 Future Improvements/Developments ------------------------------------- 5.1 Regarding Account Master 5.2 The list could be endless... 2m Budgeted Codes, automatic interest calculations 2m Import/Export Account 2m Anything else you can suggest. 5.3 Regarding the Spread sheet 2m Interested? Write or 'phone. I'm approximately 3/4 the way through 2m writing. It's written completely in assembler using Devpac 3. Any 2m suggestions regarding additions gladly received. 2m ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- 6.0 You may need to know... --------------------------- 2m If you have a battery backed real time clock, this can be accessed by 2m Account Master if you place a call to setclock in your startup-sequence. 2m Otherwise you will have to input the date each time you run AM. 2m Account Master stores and read its environment information to/from 2m the logical device S: This device is ASSIGNED to your boot disk on 2m startup. Your original MCP_Products disk is bootable and contains a 2m default environment in the s directory. If you copy AM to another floppy 2m or HD and then boot from that, you'll get an Environment not found report 2m (report not error!) so you can either copy the Account_Master.config file 2m from MCP_Products:S or create a new file using the AM Environment editor. 2m The maximum number of entries per Account is set at 1000. 2m 2m Account Master will not accept dates prior to 1992. Leap years and 2m number of days per month are fully recognised. 2m Credit/Debit entries are limited to "999999.99". If no decimal point 2m is input, ".00" is assumed. 2m Use W/B Preferences to set printer page length, margin etc. 2m 2m -------------------------------------- 7.0 Beta Test Credits, version 0.98 -------------------------------------- 2m Thanks to the following for their invaluable advice/suggestions. 2m Mike Phillips 2m Jayne Sanders 2m Mike Rothman 2m Martin Wilks 2m Sharon Covell --------------------- 8.0 History --------------------- 2m v0.98 released to beta testers June 1992. 2m v1.00 released July 1992 incorporating modified Transaction document. 2m v1.03 released July 1992 with minor bug fix on Tran Doc. 2m v2.0 released 20th October 1992. New look Workbench2 style front end. 2m Checked/Deferred option added. Speed increased. Palette control added. 2m v2.01 error in Open Account documentation corrected. 2m v2.02 error with Direct Debit View/Edit/Delete item corrected. One 2m letter account names now accepted. File requester now recognises dirs 2m with names containing >20 letters. Disk removal and write protected 2m warnings now given. 2m 2m v2.1 Environment Editor completely re-written. The environment file 2m that Account Master looks for is now placed in the logical device S: 2m I originally used self modifying code (bad move) which caused 2m a number of problems. (Understatement!) 2m Values less than 1 pound are accepted. This was a compiler error (the 2m original code worked fine with <1.00 values) 2m Palette control moved to Environment editor, controls re-written 2m Colour values are now saved with other config information. 2m Printed reports now generate separate values for credit/debit total 2m amounts. This version (2.1) released 22nd January 1993. 2m 2m v2.12 A more complete version of the above. Disk Removal and Write 2m protect warnings are now handled completely by Account Master. No 2m more Amos requesters! If no drive/subdir specified in Environment, 2m AM assumes ???: and no longer bombs out. Search/Match functions 2m have been re-written and optimised in assembler using Devpac3. 2m Account Master goes shareware! This version released 8th Feb '93. --------------------- 9.0 Shareware Notice --------------------- 2m Well, it had to happen. I've received more comments, letters of 2m thanks and bug reports than I ever imagined. Account Master has 2m had four major computer magazine reviews, all very favourable. 2m The program has been optimised throughout, most (I doubt all) bugs 2m have been squirted and it's taken me almost a year to reach this 2m stage! 2m 2m If you like Account Master, want to see an update and don't want 2m to pay the extortionate prices of `professional' home finance 2m programs, then please make a donation to me at the address below. 2m Any reasonable bestowal accepted gladly! ------------------------- 10.0 Correspondance Note ------------------------- 2m In any correspondance regarding bugs/updates, please return your 2m disk! I promise not to keep it and I also promise to return it 2m complete with an updated/fixed/debugged version of Account Master. 2m 2m Thankyou. 2m --------------------- 10.1 Correspondance --------------------- 3;30;41m 0m 3;30;41m Any Suggestions/Reports for future releases are 0m 3;30;41m gladly received. (and replied to.) 0m 3;30;41m 0m 3;30;41m Please send Comments/Suggestions to: 0m 3;30;41m 0m 3;30;41m Martin Platt 0m 3;30;41m 6 Malpas Drive 0m 3;30;41m Northallerton 0m 3;30;41m North Yorkshire. DL7 8TU. 0m 3;30;41m 0m 3;30;41m Telephone : 0609 778613 0m 3;30;41m 0m 3;30;41m 8th February 1993 0m 3;30;41m 0m 3;30;41m 0m