BCI NET 2/BCI NET 2.iso/archives/applications/misc/amicheck1_60.lha/amiCheckDEMO/amiCheck/Manual.Addendum

Text File | 1995-02-28 | 23.3 KB | 670 lines

Manual Addendum for version 1.60
This manual covers changes since version 1.07

**************************************************************
Contents
     0. Whats new?
     1. Ordering business and printer check supplies.
     2. Check printing with amiCheck.
     3. Modifying a check form.
     4. Import/Export.
     5. "Quick" items (memo,amount,name,date).
     6. Transaction Duplication menu item.
     7. Tooltypes not in manual, and CLI parameters
     8. Range menu options.
     9. Unfilter feature.
    10. Preferences Menus.
    11. Check renumbering.
    12. Budget Grouping.
    13. More filter tools.
    14. Net Worth Analysis.
    15. Graphical Analysis.
    16. Bug Fixes
    17. Known Bugs
    18. The FUTURE


***************************************************************
Section 0: Whats new?

**    Changes from v1.55 to v1.60:

*     Budget groups

*    All up/down/top/botton list buttons now move the list to
    follow the moving item


**    Changes from v1.51 to 1.55:

*    Filter cycle gadget for the template window helps
    to reduce clutter for those with large template lists.

*    Date preferences

*    Tooltypes for ASL pattern requesters

*    Improved functionality of quick-dates

*    Import now no longer tries to update register in real-time
    (much faster).

*    New "save and exit" menu item


***************************************************************
Section 1: Ordering business and printer check supplies.

    I have set up an account with Deluxe.  They are an
excellent company to deal with and provide a 1-800 number
to the US, Canada, and Europe:

    1-800-336-4168, acct# Q000305.

You can ask for a free sample-check kit to experiment with
(even if you aren't a registered user).  Both sheet-feed
and line-feed type check forms are supported.  In fact, you
can get custom checks made with your logo or artwork.

    Have fun!

***************************************************************
Section 2: Check printing with amiCheck.

    What do I need to do?
    ---------------------

    Let me first describe how I envisioned the process:
You pick a high check number (say, 5000) and order checks
for your printer starting there.  That way, you have two
sources of checks, your printer checks and your personal
checks.  All you need to do is tell amiCheck where you
chose to start the printer checks, and it will find
the unprinted ones from there.

    Your bank doesn't even have to know.  You will
provide the necessary information to Deluxe and they will
replicate the bank codes onto your checks. Their sales
tech support is great.  Ask them questions if you are
unsure of anything.


    Which checks do I get?
    ----------------------

    I support the following sheet-feed forms:
            080935,    081004,    081013, 081064,
        081065,    081098,    081123,

    And the following line-feed forms:
        091098,    091064,    090935,

    You will likely need to tweak the form settings or play
with your printer preference settings to get the desired effect.
You can also order a form not supported directly and use the
check-forms preference panel to describe it.

    Printing the checks
    -------------------

    Selecting "print checks" brings up the printing panel.
Here you can select basic settings described below.  Once
you click on "OK", check printing will begin (there will be no
prompt):

    Starting check: The check number you started the printer
            checks at.  There is no need to change
            this value once set.

    Mode:        Select either "mark as printed only"
            which does not print any checks, but sets
            the printed flag, or to actually print checks.

    Sheet feed options

    Autovoid:    For those sheet-feed forms with more than
            one check per page, you may have checks left
            over on the last page when printing is finished.
            Selecting this will write VOID on those checks
            and enter them into your checkbook.

    Checks first sheet: If your check forms have more than one check
            per page, and the first page has some checks
            used and torn off, tell amiCheck here how many
            are left on the page.


    Wrapping up printing
    --------------------

    When done, amiCheck always reports the check it printed first and the
check it printed last.  If there were problems encountered, it will stop
printing and this will allow you to determine where printing stopped.


***************************************************************************
Section 3: Modifying a check form

    amiCheck allows you to select from a variety of check forms or
to construct your own.  In the Check Form preferences panel, you can
select up to 10 pre-existing forms (7 sheet-feed ones and 3 line-feed ones).
Below describe some of the issues involved in working with this panel. Keep
in mind that your Printer Preferences may play a role, as will your printer
default settings.  There are many variables here to play with to get that
"just right" output.  It may help to change the print device to a file or CON:
to practice a bit.

    Note that you need a mono-spaced font on your printer for check
printing to work.

    Testing
    -------

    It is very important that you use this option when modifying
or building your form.  It will print out a page of checks with a grid
of numbers to help you pin-point exact locations.  The discussions below
contain "Width", "Line", and "Margin", in reference to these grid locations.


    Vouchers
    --------

    Vouchers are the check stubs to serve as receipts for your records.
You may have none, one above each check, one below each check, one to the
right or left of each check, two above, two below, or one above and below (whew).
I prefer either none or the kind that has the voucher to the left, but this
is your call :)

    If you choose a form with the voucher to the left or right, you need to
tell amiCheck the WIDTH of the voucher and the MARGIN (where the left side of
the voucher starts).


    "Top Lines"
    -----------

    Stuck in the field description area is a variable called "top lines".
Some printers cannot print at the very top of a page, you can insert the number
of lines that it cannot print so amiCheck will assume that the first line it prints
is that line number. This will make the rest of the page fall "into sync" nicely.

    Sheet-feed forms vs. line-feed forms
    ------------------------------------

    First off, if you have a sheet-feed printer, check the SHEET flag (uncheck
it otherwise).  This will cause a form-feed to be issued at the end of each page.
For the COLUMNS setting, it is important with line-feed printers that you set this.
Ive noticed with my panasonic printer that lines wrap around as opposed to the
clipping that my HP laser does.  This will allow you to control this activity.
Also remember how your preferences printer settings are affecting your printer.


    Field settings
    --------------

    Below describe each field briefly:

date:    The date! Currently it is the same format as the date in the register window.
$:    The amount in the form of "10.00"
Pay:    The amount in the form of "Ten + zero/100"
Order:    The payee field
Memo:    The memo field


*****************************************************************
Section 4: Import/Export.

    You can now import and export transactions into an ascii
file format that is easy to understand. EXPORT will open
a file requester and save all transactions in the current filter.
IMPORT will retrieve transactions from an exported file (or
you can create your own following the guideline below) and either
append the new items to the bottom of the register or insert them
below a seletect transaction.

The following describes this format (comments in "<>"):

    < the first line should have: >
    source   [comment (suggest account file name)]

    < then for each transaction: >
    type     ["withdrawal" | "deposit" | check number]
    amount     [xxx.xx]
    date     [mm/dd/yyyy]
    name     [payee field or name]
    addr1     <these fields are required but currently empty>
    addr2
    addr3
    memo     [memo field]
    state    [Y|N][Y|N][Y|N] <ie:YNN = cleared y/n,tax-deduct y/n,voided y/n>
    category 0.00 [category]
    category 0.00 [category]

    <as  many categories as needed, currently 0.00 is required>

    Note that category may appear once, not at all, or as many times as
    necessary. Non-unique categories are ignored for import. Currently,
    amicheck only supports one category, and if no category is assigned,
    the "none" category is assumed.

    On import, the state flag "voided" is ignored for withdrawals and deposits
    (checks only).


****************************************************************
Section 5: "Quick" windows

    When you edit or enter data you do so in the "transaction window".
This window has a tiny down-arrow button next to certain fields.  These
down-arrow buttons, when clicked on, bring up "quick" windows which are
designed to reduce data entry. Below describe each of these windows.


Quick Dates
-----------
    This window has a set of sliders to construct a date with your
    mouse.  To the left of the sliders are all dates accepted in your
    current session.  The current date is always in that list. By
    clicking on any date-item in that list, the sliders will adjust to match
    the date.

    To accept your date, click on OK, otherwise close the window with the
    close-box.
    Quick dates: a list of all dates entered this session, including

Quick Names
-----------
    You can build a list of common names in the edit/quick/names editor.
Those that are common, but do not warrant a template are good candidates
(such as your family members).

    Clicking on the quick-button in the transaction window will bring up a
window with a list of common names that you have entered in the edit/quick/names editor.
Clicking on an item in the list will immediately enter that item in the name field
for you.

Quick Memos
-----------
    You can build a list of common memos in the edit/quick/memos editor.
Those that are common, but do not warrant a template are good candidate. For
example, "Birthday Gift".

    Clicking on the quick-button in the transaction window will bring up a window
with a list of common memos that you have entered in the edit/quick/memo editor.
Clicking on an item in the list will immediately enter that item in the memo field
for you.

Quick Amounts
-------------
    You can build a list of common amounts in the edit/quick/amounts editor.
Those that are common, but do not warrant a template are good candidate. For
example, ATM transactions: 10.00, 15.00, and 20.00 for me are good.

    Clicking on the quick-button in the transaction window will bring up a window
with a list of common amounts that you have entered in the edit/quick/amount editor.
Clicking on an item in the list will immediately enter that item in the amount field
for you.


*********************************************************************
Section 6: Transaction Duplication

     As a provide shortcut for data entry, click on a transaction
that is common to the one you need to enter, and the select edit/duplicate.
A new-data window will open with the fields matching those of the selected
transaction (except for the check number if applicable).

    If you are in "batch mode", the window will continue to open
until you click on Cancel.


**********************************************************************
Section 7: Tooltypes not in manual, and CLI parameters.

    amiCheck does not distinguish between CLI parameters or
tooltypes, therefore each of these may be listed on the command-line.
For example,
    "amiCheck USEMEMO myaccount.ac"
is perfectly legal.  To install these as tooltypes for workbench
users, select the main amicheck icon, then select the workbench
menu item "icon/information".


NUMCOLS=xx    minimum number of columns for the main register

TEMPLATEROWS=xx    minimum number of rows in the template window menu
        rearrangement

DCLICK=[CLEAR|EDIT|UNFILT]
        Default the double-click actions at startup
        found in the preferences menus.

USEMEMO        If present, defaults the two-line style register
        at startup as found in the preferences menus.

DATE=[FORMAT1|FORMAT2|FORMAT3]
        Default date format for the date preferences (the order
        matches the list in the prefs/date menu: format 1 = "12/31/99").

LOADPATTERN=#?.AC
        Customize the ASL load requester pattern field for account files

SCRIPPTATTERN=#?.ACscript
        Customize the ASL load requester pattern field for script files

NETPATTERN=#?.ACnet
        Customize the ASL load requester pattern field for networth files

IMPORTPATTERN=#?.txt
        Customize the ASL load requester pattern field for import files


**********************************************************************
Section 8: Range menu options

    amiCheck now has "Range menus" which are action items
that affect all entriss in the filter. For example, you can
clear all transactions, or void all transactions.  The program
will prompt you before taking action since these can be dangerous!

Options: clear,unclear,void,unvoid,delete, etc.


***********************************************************************
Section 9: Unfilter feature.

    There are lots of ways to bring in the transactions you
wish into the filter, however you will now and then find special
cases where you wish to exclude certain transactions.  There is
now an "unfilter" menu item (and a double-click option under
preferences) to remove a transaction from the filter (note:
its not deleted, just removed from view).


***********************************************************************
Section 10: Preferences Menus.

    The preferences menus contain the following options:

Window:
    select the type of window you wish to work in, either
    show transactions with their memo ("two-line" style) or
    the single-line style.  You may toggle back and forth on the fly.

Double-Click:
    Configure what a double-click means.  Either clear the checks
    with it, unfilter, or edit (the default).

Dates:
    There are three types of dates amiCheck will support:
        12/31/99
        Dec-31-99
        31-Dec-99
    You decide here at any time, and amiCheck will swap on-the-fly for you.
    See the discussion on the tooltypes to customize it.

Check forms:
    Select the check form and printing device for check printing.


************************************************************************
Section 11. Check renumbering.

    To quickly renumber checks without the normal hastle, select the
transaction by clicking on it once.  Then hold down the left or right arrow keys
and press a number from 1-9.  If you held down the RIGHT arrow, your number is
ADDED to the check.  The LEFT arrow key SUBTRACTS the amount.

    The check is not re-filtered or re-sorted for safety.  To re-sort or
re-filter, click on the filter button and then click on the OK button in the filter
panel.


************************************************************************
Section 12: Budget Groups.


    Now you may cluster groups of categories under a group
to obtain a higher level breakdown of your spending.  For example,
if you have the following categories:

    child1:medical,
    child2:medical,
    child1:school,
    child2:school

You could create the following groups, and assign the categories
as follows:

    child 1 expenses
        child1:medical
        child1:school

    child 2 expenses
        child2:medical
        child2:school

    school expenses
        child1:school
        child2:school

    medical expenses
        child1:medical
        child2:medical

Note that there is no limitation to the number of categories you can assign
to a group.  This freedom allows for good flexibility as demonstrated
above.  And also, name your kids something more creative :)


    Creating a budget group
    -----------------------

    Click on the BUDGET button and you will see the usual list of categories,
and a new list labeled "budget groups".  Here you will enter them in as
you do with categories however there is an extra button, "EDIT" for this list.

    Clicking on EDIT will bring up a new window with all categories listed on the
left, and all categories assigned to the group we are editing on the right.
Clicking on a category in the group list will remove it from the group. Likewise,
clicking on a category in the category list that is not in the group will add
it to the group list.  If the category is already a member, amiCheck prompts you.


    The interface is easier to use than describe (its a simple point and click
construction system).


    Gathering statistics on groups
    ------------------------------

    Well, after you create all those neat groups, go back to the main window
and click on STATISTICS.  There is a new cycle gadget at the top with two
states, "Categories" and "Groups".  If you select GROUPS, the list will
show you the groups you have entered.  Clicking on the list has the same
effect as the category list.



************************************************************************
Section 13: More Filter tools.


    There are two new filter tools in the filter panel,
"NAME", and "MEMO".  You may use these ranges to filter in or out
AmigaDOS pattern matches on the payee or memo fields.  For example,
if you see name to be "joe", all transactions with exactly "joe"
(or "JOE".. its case insensitive) will be filtered in.  If you instead
specify "joe#?" then all transactions starting with joe (and including
"joe") will be included.


************************************************************************
Section 14: Net Worth Analysis.

    The Utils/net worth menu option now brings up a panel
for you to describe multiple accounts and provide a general picture of
how well you are doing financially.  You may save the list of accounts
as an ACnet file (similar to the script editor saving ACscript files).
Double-clicking on these ACnet icons bring up your list in a text editor.

    The panel lists the current account info, and the summary info:

    Current Account info
    --------------------

    If you clicked on an account or used the keyboard arrow keys, the local
account data updates to show the current and statement balances, and the tax
deductible amount (reconciled entries checked with the "tax deduct" flag) of that
account. You may change whether the account is a CREDIT or DEBIT account (the default
is CREDIT).  A credit account means that a negative balance is debt (your checking
account is a credit account by my terminology).  A DEBIT account is one such that
a positive balance is debt (such as a credit card).  You do not have to use this
feature    at all, but if you wanted to maintain positive balances for debt accounts
such as    credit cards, this feature provides you the means to explain it to amiCheck.

    Summary info
    ------------

    The summary info totals the credit accounts and debit accounts, displaying the
results and amounts of each.  The tax deductions field displays the summed total of all
tax deductions.

    The balance type may be CURRENT or STATEMENT, meaning that the summary info either
uses the current balance and current tax deductible amount (ie: all transactions,
not just reconciled ones) or the statement balance and the reconciled tax deductible
amount.

    Notes
    -----

    The tax deductions are always summed up positive (whether the account is a debit or
credit and whether the transaction that was tax deductible is either a deposit or
withdrawal.

    Also if you are using an old version of amiCheck, before you can use this panel you must
make a backup of your old accounts,load them into the new amiCheck and save them again.  This is
because the file format has been tweeked a bit to support this panel quickly.  If you don't do this,
amiCheck will warn you that it cannot summarize the account of interest.


**********************************************************************************
Section 15: Graphical Analysis

    Interactive graphical analysis now in amiCheck.  The "Analysis" button brings up
a bar-chart with three graph styles to select,

    Graph styles
    ------------
    Running Balance: Depicts the balance in your account at the time the transaction
        was posted.  Notice that if you have filtered out some transactions
        or sorted the register, the running balance may not make sense.

    Filter Balance: Depicts the balance of the transactions in the register (ignores
        the running balances).

    Amounts: Shows the amounts rather than a balance.


    Getting around the panel
    ------------------------
    All deposits are white bars, while other transactions are black for visual reference.

    Balances may become negative, shown when a bar moves below the centerline (blue dashed line
        represents "0" balance).

    Clicking on a bar highlights it and displays the bar amount, double-clicking on the bar
        leaves the panel and selects that transaction.

    The "Scroll" gadget may be used to scroll through the transactions

    The "Scale" gadget is used to "zoom" in or out of the graph to make out finer details.
        amiCheck tries to pick a good initial value (one that shows the running balance
        without needing to scale) for you.


    Keyboard shortcuts
    ------------------
    UP/DOWN (and (CTRL/SHIFT) + UP/DOWN) arrows will scale the graph
    LEFT/RIGHT (and (CTRL/SHIFT) + LEFT/RIGHT) arrows will scroll the graph
    ENTER is equivalent to a double-click on the current transaction.


******************************************************************************
Section 16: Bug Fixes

* The filter balance in the main window goofed when you deleted a transaction

* the version strings were not style guide compliant ;)

* OS2.04 and up are now supported (for a while, it only worked on 3.x)

* The net worth panel could only see accounts in the current directory

* Some problems with the filter and clearing transactions was fixed.

* Modifying the account default deposit did not update the current
    balance in the window properly.

* date ranges now work (don't ask... :)

* the refresh bug is gone.  You may use simple refresh windows if desired,
    and zipped windows now unzip right (zoom, zip, whatever).

* GUI got faster and smoother

* reconciliation with no cleared transactions did not update the statement balance field

* the script and net editors did not update the window title after doing a saveas

* A bug in the keyboard movement through the register was fixed.

* while editing templates it was possible to have printed/voided ghosted for check types.

* the scroll bar in the register was not updated at times (or not updated right)

* The main window title did not include the account name if amiCheck was started by double-clicking
  on an account icon.

* Miscelaneous cosmetic improvements


******************************************************************************
Section 17: Known Bugs

 Below list bugs that are either AC's fault, a quirk in the user's setup
 or the fault of another program.  I don't know which in some cases.

* one user has problems with powerdata now and then corrupting the database.
  who is at fault and what is going on need to be addressed.  According
  to the author of powerdata, amicheck has no problems with the program.

* one user has alerts generated when amiCheck re-activates a string gadget.
  Another mystery currently.

* Cosmetic issue with listviews on os2.x.

* MagicCX will crash amicheck if all MagicCX features are turned on, and the
  user sorts or filters twice.  Not entirely clear on this one either but I have
  replicated it.

* I am now declaring the manual a bug :) Will rewrite it soon.


**********************************************************************
Section 18: The Future

I will soon adopt a "free upgrades forever" via a keyfile mechanism which
will be part of the v2.0 release mailed out to registered users.
The keyfile will allow you to download the latest versions
wherever you find them and use them as a registered user.

The documentation (manual and amigaguide) will also be enhanced from 1.07 to 2.0.
Currently, this file is the only source of changes from 1.07.



Thanks for your patronage.
Don't forget to send me your comments/suggestions!

Douglas M. Dyer