The Datafile PD-CD 3/PDCD_3.iso/pocketbk/utilsr/s3abank4/S3ADOC.TXT

Text File | 1995-07-31 | 39KB | 701 lines

HOME ACCOUNTS V1.4e  (S3A Version)
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(c) F A Richey 1995

As an avid user of the original Series 3 Finance program, I was rather
disappointed when the Series 3A version didn't give me the same functionality.
I therefore decided to write a program for the 3A which took the best ideas of
both programmes, and added some extra modules which I would find useful.
This program is the result.

V1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3  were well received, so I have incorporated all the
comments and  suggestions  I received  into this latest version, along with a
number   of  other enhancements. As it stands, this Shareware version is still
only intended as a demo, and therefore will  allow only  3 Accounts, 5 Standing
Orders, 5 Budget Categories, 5 Shares and 5 Rooms for the Insurance.
Registration will give you a more realistic 20 Accounts  and 50 Standing Orders
in  each Group, and  20 Budget Items, 50 Shares and 18 Rooms (or more if you
request them specifically)

Please pass any problems/comments/suggestions to me by:

     Compuserve               :  100023,543
     E-mail (Internet)        :  [e-mail]

If you wish to register the program, see the file REGISTER.TXT
for my latest address.

Registration gets you a personalised registration code to remove the 'nag'
screens, and allow full use of the program (<PSION-T>).  Note that you will not
need a new copy of the program, all the functionality is in there, it just needs
the code to 'unlock' it.  I will also ensure that this code remains forward
compatible for future versions of the program so, unlike other programs, I will
not be asking for a further fee for an upgrade.  Upgrades will normally be put
onto Compuserve, CIX, Internet and various BBS.  Registered users who do not
have access to these areas will be sent upgrades on disc.

To Install the program, carry out the following actions:

1.   Copy BANKS3A.APP to your \APP\ directory.

2.   Generate a Subdirectory \BANK\ under the APP directory, ie \APP\BANK\

3.   Copy BANKS3A1.OVL, BANKS3A2.OVL and BANKS3A3.OVL to the
Subdirectory.  These modules are ESSENTIAL to run the program.

4.   You can then copy BANKSBUD.OVL, BANKSSHA.OVL,
BANKSPET.OVL, BANKSHOU.OVL, BANKSPLN.OVL , and
BANKS3AH.OVL if you wish to use the Budget, Shares, Petrol, House
Contents, Annual Planner and On-Line Help modules, which are optional.
(other modules are currently under development)

5.   Install BANKS3A.APP using <PSION-I> as described in the manual.

If you fancy a challenge, you can learn everything you need to about the
program by playing with it and checking the effect of each MENU selection, as
well as the effect of pressing <ENTER>, <DELETE>, <TAB> or <ESC> in
each screen.  Alternatively you can work through the tutorial on the following
pages, which will familiarise your with all the capabilities of the program.  If
you do 'fly blind' and get into trouble, please read the rest of this document
before me asking me to help.  I have yet to be asked a question which couldn't
have been answered by reading this document.

Important Points to Note:

1.   The program is designed to work with all the DATA files in one disc.
If you run Groups on different drives (A:, B: or M:) then you will run into
problems with some of the data files which are common to all Groups, ie
Currency, Budget, Shares and Petrol.  Therefore, please decide, before you
start, on which disc you wish to have your data files.  (There is, however,
nothing to stop you copying ALL the files to a different drive at a later date, as
long as they all remain on the same disc.)  This only applies to data files, the
program itself can reside on a different disc.

2.   The configuration file and registration details are saved on your default
disc, so don't be surprised if you seem to lose that information (and registration)
if you change default discs.

3.   The program regularly saves and overwrites the data files to avoid
problems with data loss. This means that you should NOT hold the data files
on a Flash SSD, but hold them on a RAM SSD or in Internal memory.

4.   Please  do NOT try changing the name of a Group from the system
screen.  The title you use for a Group is used for all the data files, not just the
one shown under the icon.  If you do wish to rename a Group, simply use the
'Save As' file command from within the Program, to save the Group under a
new name, change to that new Group, then use the 'Delete Group' command to
get rid of the original.

TUTORIAL

1.   Highlight 'Bank4' under the BANK Icon.

2.   Press <PSION-N> to generate a new file (or select via the FILE menu).

3.   Select the required drive (Internal or a RAM SSD).

4.   Type ACCOUNTS as a title (or anything else you fancy).

5.   Work through 'nag' screens by pressing <Enter>.  If you want to skip
these screens you will have to register your copy !!

6.   You are now in the 'top-level' menu, which will contains details of the
accounts you have in the Group.  (You actually need only one Group to run your
accounts, but personally I like to run different groups for my normal accounts,
my savings accounts and my expense account.  Basically you treat the Groups
and Accounts in the same way as you would treat directories (or folders) and
files on your PC, MAC or Psion !))

Important Note for Non-English Users:    Before starting to enter data, press
<PSION-C> and select your country as the Base Currency and the Group
Currency.  If your country is not shown, jump forward to the 'Currency' part of
the Tutorial to see how to add your country.

7.   Press the MENU key and then the left arrow key and you will see the
various optional modules that make up the whole program (assuming you
loaded the appropriate .OVL files). Press the left arrow again to see the 'core'
modules.  These can all be selected either by using this MENU selection, by
pressing a 'hot-key' ie <Shift-PSION-C> for the Currencies, or by using the
diamond key to cycle through the screens.  This tutorial will take you through
each module in turn.

8.   Press the MENU key again twice for the FILE commands.  I hope these
are obvious, and are the usual commands you expect to see in most programs.
Just note that you will not be allowed to Delete the Group you are working on,
you will have to Open into another Group first.  (There is no requirement for
a SAVE command, as this happens automatically).

9.   Press the MENU key again for the EDIT commands and select 'Enter
new account' (or press <PSION-E>).  As an example, type 'Current' for the short
title, 'Current Account' for the Description, and whatever you feel like for the
Opening Balance (Credit or Debit). (For real, this will be the final figure on
your last bank statement.)  Note the short title is limited to 10 characters, the
description  can be quite a bit longer.  Don't worry too much about the Type
field, it's mainly for Quicken users, although you may wish to play with it.
Finally, note that you have the option of removing an Account from the 'Total
Worth' calculation if you so wish, and of entering a Credit Limit.  Press
<ENTER> on completion.

10.  Now enter (using <PSION-E>) a 'VISA' account as well,  for use later
in the tutorial.

11.  Note that you can use the 'Update Account' (<PSION-U> or <TAB>)
option if you want to change the details, or the 'Delete Account' (<PSION-D>
or <DEL>) option if you make a mistake.  I have also incorporated a Move
Down command (<PSION-M>) if you wish to change the order later.  (It didn't
seem worth having a Move Up command as well, as you can have the same
effect by 'Moving  Down' the account above the one you want moving up !)

12.  The initial setting is for the Status Window to be hidden.  You can
switch it in using the normal method (<CTRL-MENU>), or <PSION-*> or via
the Menu.  You will see later that each module can display additional
information if you have the Status Window hidden.  Personally I like having it
in view.  I suggest you experiment later within each module, bu