The Datafile PD-CD 3/PDCD_3.iso/pocketbk/utilsr/s3abank5/BANKS3A5.TXT

Text File | 1995-07-29 | 49KB | 881 lines

HOME ACCOUNTS V1.5a  (S3A Version)
---------------------------------

(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.

Versions 1.0-1.4  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 a limited number of items, such as
3 Accounts, 5 Standing Orders, 5 Budget Categories, 5 Shares and 5 Rooms
for the Home Inventory.  Registration will give you more realistic values,
such as 20 Accounts  and 50 Standing Orders in  each Group, and  20 Budget
Items, 50 Shares and 18 Rooms.

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

     Compuserve               :  100023,543
     E-mail (Internet)        :   [e-mail]
     Fax (USA)                : (703)-696-5499

If you wish to register the program, please send a cheque for 20 UK pounds
or 30US$ (or the equivalent in your currency) to :

     F A RICHEY                         F A RICHEY
     c/o Sonas                     6001 Natick Court
     Calgary                       Burke, VA 22015
     Isle of Mull             or        USA
     Argle
     PA75 6QT
     SCOTLAND

and mark the envelope:  "S3ABANK Registration"

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, AOL, CIX, Internet and various BBS.

The archive should contain the following files:

BANKS3A.APP         Main program
BANKS3A1.OVL        Essential Overlay
BANKS3A2.OVL        Essential Overlay

BANKS3A.PIC         Optional Opening Picture
BANKS3AH.OVL        Optional Help Overlay

BANKSBUD.OVL        Optional Budget Category Module
BANKSEXP.OVL        Optional Expense Account Module
BANKSHOU.OVL        Optional Home Inventory Module
BANKSPET.OVL        Optional Fuel Consumption Module
BANKSPLN.OVL        Optional Financial Planner Module
BANKSSHA.OVL        Optional Investment Tracking Module
BANKSUTI.OVL        Optional utilities Tracking Module

README.NEW           Get you started' instructions for new users
README.V14          Upgrade instructions for present users

HISTORY.TXT         Details of the various upgrades the program
has gone through.
BANKLITE.TXT        Details of how you can obtain a  slimmed
down' version.
REGISTER.TXT        Details on how to register the program.

EXAMPLE.ZIP         A set of example data files

BANKS3A5.WRI        Full instructions in Windows Write format
BANKS3A5.TXT        Full instructions in ASCII Text format
BANKS3A5.FAQ        Frequently asked questions

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 and BANKS3A2.OVL to the \APP\BANK\
Subdirectory.  These modules are ESSENTIAL to run the program.

4.   You can then copy BANKSBUD.OVL, BANKSSHA.OVL,
BANKSPET.OVL, BANKSHOU.OVL, BANKSPLN.OVL,
BANKSEXP.OVL and BANKS3AH.OVL to the sub-directory  \APP\BANK\
if you wish to use the Budget, Shares, Petrol, House Contents, Annual
Planner, Expense Account and On-Line Help modules, which are optional.
Also copy BANKS3A.PIC to \APP\BANK\ if you want the opening picture,
although this is also optional.

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.  However, PLEASE read Part 1 of this set of instructions first.
If you need it, I have provided a set of example data files in the file
EXAMPLE.ZIP.  These should be loaded into a sub-directory called \BANK\
on either the internal drive or a RAM SSD.  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.

I have designed this documentation in 4 parts, based on the premise that most
people are like me and never read the manual.  Part 1 is the Important Notes,
please read this at least.  Part 2 is a quick tutorial to get you started, Part 3
moves onto to other aspects of the program and covers the optional modules
and Part 4 goes through the more advanced functions.

PART 1:   Important Points to Note:

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.)  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.  On the other hand, the program file and the
overlays themselves can reside on a different disc, such as a Flash SSD.  In
fact, this is the ideal solution, as you would not wish to use up valuable
internal memory.

The configuration file and registration details are saved on your default disc
in the \OPD\ directory, so don't be surprised if you seem to lose that
information (and registration) if you change default discs or delete these files.


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.

I have provided a BACKUP and RESTORE option (<PSION-B> and
<PSION-R> in the Accounts screen) to enable you to keep a COMPLETE
copy of all your data files somewhere else on the system.  Although there have
only been 2 recorded cases of complete data loss, both with V1.2 and caused
by low System Memory, and subsequent versions of the program protect
against that problem,  I am not so arrogant as to say that there isn't a 'bug' in
there waiting to trap the unwary.   Personally I use this option every couple
of days, as well as Backing up regularly on a PC.  I think the program is safe,
but I still wouldn't trust it.  Basically, if you lose some data and you haven't
kept a backup of some description, don't expect any sympathy from me !!

To register the program, press <PSION-T> and CAREFULLY enter the code
obtainable from me (or my agent) for the registration fee.

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 th