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README.V13
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1995-05-07
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S3ABANK V1.4e
-------------
READ ME file
------------
This file is for users of V1.3 only. New Users should read README.NEW
To upgrade, simply replace the S3ABANK.APP and all the .OVL files that
you use.
Quick Instructions
-------------------
To save you reading the full instructions again, here are the
changes from V1.3 to V1.4a :
a. To select a Petrol entry for updating, use the same method as for
other screens, ie highlight the entry and press <TAB> or <PSION-U>.
b. The Archive screen now mirrors the Transaction screen. Because the
Archive now needs to store the balance, the files need to be
converted. This will happen automatically when you try and view
or use the archive, although you will be prompted in case you want
to leave them alone. (I can't think why you should, as the V1.4
files can still be read by earlier versions of the program.)
c. You can now automatically add an estimated credit/debit interest
figure to an account on a fixed day of each month. These are added
in the same way as a Standing Order, in the Standing Order screen,
except you use <PSION-I>, specifying the first date it should be
used, and the account. The interest rate to be used is specified
in each account using <PSION-C>, and the amount credited/debited is
based on the last balance in the account. Accounts of the type
'Credit Card' are treated slightly differently, in that interest
will be allocated only if the account is in debit, not in credit.
d. The 'Pay Bills' option - <PSION-P> in the main screen (I've changed
the Password hot-key to <PSION-@>) is as implemented in Microsoft
Money. It is very similar to the 'Look Ahead' mode, except it now
gives you the option of actually actioning the Standing Order to pay
it in advance. Once complete, unlike the 'Look Ahead' mode, it does
NOT restore the original values, but stays with the new values.
e. I've added a Budget filter to the Transaction screen. Simply select
the category you want, using <PSION-B>, and the display will only
show those transactions that have that category set.
f. The original Auto Cheque number option only tracked one number.
I have now changed it so each Account has it's own cheque number.
g. Although having the initial highlight in the Transaction screen set
on today's date seemed like a good idea, it did make it awakward for
some people who had more than 9 future entries in an account.
Therefore, the position is now configurable through the Preferences
menu in the front screen.
h. If you are exporting an account to a brand new account in Quicken,
you can now export the Initial Balance figure as well, rather than
having to incorporate it later.
i. In the 'Look Ahead' dialog you can now select just one account,
although it defaults to 'All', which is equivalent to V1.3.
j. In the Standing Order screen, <PSION-T> toggles a 'Total' window.
k. In the Account Enter/Update dialog, I have added a 'Credit Limit'
value. If this is set and the balance drops below it, a warning
will be displayed.
l. I have done some work on the Currency screen. You can now override
the global setting for decimal places for the exchange rate, you can
invert the rate, ie Pounds/Currency rather than Currency/Pound, and
the converter is now available in all screens by pressing <C>.
Also, I have added the apostrophe to the list of currency separators.
The best piece of news is that I have rewritten the Standing Order code,
optimising it for speed. It now runs 3 times faster than before. Sorry
it's taken so long to revisit the problem, I should have done it weeks ago.
The other enhancement is that the Budget Planning and Utility modules are
formally incorporated, although I understand a 'beta' version of the
Planning module actually escaped with some copies of V1.3 !!
BUDGET MODULE
This is an extension to the existing module, and allows for
future budgeting. it basically works on 3 different levels:
Level 1. To start up the module, use the Menu, the diamond key or
<PSION-SHIFT-N>. Now use <PSION-E> to enter a couple of agencies
who send bills, such as Electricity and Phone. (The usual Update,
Delete and Move options are available. You can now move the
vertical highlight to the required agency, and the horizontal
agency to the required month, and use <PSION-C> to enter the
estimated bill. The bottom line will show the total for each
month. Note that, although it starts up with January as the
first month, you can use the horizontal cursor to make any month
the first to be displayed. All the setting you have will be
remembered between sessions. Once a payment has been made, you
can use <PSION-R> (or the Space-Bar) to show a cost in Bold as a
reminder. The default is for a 12-month display, which is usable
for costs up to 999. If you need more than 3 figures, there is
an option to reduce the number of months on display to prevent
overlap.
Level 2. If, like me, you run a separate account to pay the bills, you
can use the planner to decide how much to transfer into the
account. Press <PSION-W> to switch the bottom line to 'Transfer'
and use <PSION-T> to put an initial estimate in for the amount.
Note that you can put the amount in for individual months, to the
end of the screen (if you have less than 12 months in the display
it will fill up the remaining months as though they are displayed,
or for all months. Now press <PSION-W> again, and the line will
show the Balance for each month. You can now increase/decrease
the transfer accordingly. There is also an option to adjust the
initial balance in case you are not starting from zero.
Level 3. This is the fully automatic mode. Use <PSION-A> to enter the
mode. The present month will appear in the second column,
leaving the previous month in case there is an outstanding
payment. All future payments will be de-reconciled, and the
bottom window will show the predicted balance based on the
previous months total. This total is shown in bold, and can be
changed if required. Once the next month arrives, everything
will move one column to the left, so you continually have a
prediction for 11-months ahead.
UTILITY MODULE
(Warning - This module has not been externally tested, but it seemed a
shame to leave it out. Treat it with care !!)
This module is designed to allow you to keep track of those Utilities you
have that are metered, ie Electricity, Water, Gas etc.. In my case I pay
the bills quarterly and I like to keep track of the figures weekly, so that
is how the module is designed. I have allowed for 3 different utilities
to be tracked, each of which can have 2 different meteres (to allow for
cheaper overnight use),
I believe the use of the module is fairly obvious. Use <PSION-A>, <PSION-B>
and <PSION-C> to set up the 3 utilities, with titles, Standing Charges, costs
for each meter and a tax\rate is applicable. I have also allowed for an
initial balance setting in case you are starting mid-bill. Then, each week,
you can enter the meter readings, and the display will show the weekly usage
as well as a running total. Once a bill is received, this can be entered
and will be deducted from the running total. (Enter the full amount of the
bill, including tax and the standing charge)
All the usual keys are available, plus the extra one that the right and left
arrows move between the 3 utilities. Also, I have given you the option of
displaying more than 1 utility at a time by setting the number of windows.
In this case, although you can still enter a meter reading for any of the
utilities, if you wish to amend or delete a line, the associated utility
must be in the top 'Edit' screen. Finally, there is a 'Swap' facility in
case you want to change the order of the utilities.
Alan Richey