From 096a3efbf007a2eef26a1a55aa16f17734891ba8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Robert Graham Merkel Date: Thu, 24 May 2001 07:20:05 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] documentation updates, bugfixes. git-svn-id: svn+ssh://svn.gnucash.org/repo/gnucash/trunk@4273 57a11ea4-9604-0410-9ed3-97b8803252fd --- ChangeLog | 16 +++ doc/sgml/C/Makefile.am | 2 + doc/sgml/C/gnucash.sgml | 4 + doc/sgml/C/xacc-about.sgml | 165 ++-------------------------- doc/sgml/C/xacc-features.sgml | 169 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ doc/sgml/C/xacc-quickstart.sgml | 189 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ src/scm/tip-list.scm | 3 + 7 files changed, 393 insertions(+), 155 deletions(-) create mode 100644 doc/sgml/C/xacc-features.sgml create mode 100644 doc/sgml/C/xacc-quickstart.sgml diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog index 02d81d9b35..df27928b25 100644 --- a/ChangeLog +++ b/ChangeLog @@ -1,3 +1,19 @@ +2001-05-24 Robert Graham Merkel + + * doc/sgml/C/gnucash.sgml: add references to new files. + + * doc/sgml/C/xacc-quickstart.sgml: New file, new user + documentation. + + * doc/sgml/C/xacc-features.sgml: New file, describing + the features of GnuCash. + + * doc/sgml/C/Makefile.am: update for new files. + + * lib/srfi/srfi-19.scm: revert to older version. + + * src/scm/tip-list.scm: more tips. + 2001-05-23 Christian Stimming * po/pt_PT.po: Duarte Loreto's updated translation. diff --git a/doc/sgml/C/Makefile.am b/doc/sgml/C/Makefile.am index 98bdca0ce5..69ccdf01c1 100644 --- a/doc/sgml/C/Makefile.am +++ b/doc/sgml/C/Makefile.am @@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ GNUCASH_SGML_FILES = \ xacc-dochack.sgml \ xacc-doubleentry.sgml \ xacc-euro.sgml \ + xacc-features.sgml \ xacc-gnome-mdi.sgml \ xacc-gnucash-web-browser.sgml \ xacc-gpl.sgml \ @@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ GNUCASH_SGML_FILES = \ xacc-print.sgml \ xacc-qif-import.sgml \ xacc-quicken.sgml \ + xacc-quickstart.sgml \ xacc-recnwin.sgml \ xacc-regwin-kbd.sgml \ xacc-regwin.sgml \ diff --git a/doc/sgml/C/gnucash.sgml b/doc/sgml/C/gnucash.sgml index 51060b6f7e..8a2241bce4 100644 --- a/doc/sgml/C/gnucash.sgml +++ b/doc/sgml/C/gnucash.sgml @@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ + @@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ + @@ -73,6 +75,7 @@ &xaccdoubleentry; &xacceuro; &xaccdateinput; +&xaccfeatures; &xaccgnomemdi; &xaccgnucashwebbrowser; &xaccincomeexpense; @@ -91,6 +94,7 @@ &xaccprint; &xaccqifimport; &xaccquicken; +&xaccquickstart; &xaccrecnwin; &xaccregwin; &xaccregwinkbd; diff --git a/doc/sgml/C/xacc-about.sgml b/doc/sgml/C/xacc-about.sgml index fb0cfc637e..2225980fbc 100644 --- a/doc/sgml/C/xacc-about.sgml +++ b/doc/sgml/C/xacc-about.sgml @@ -7,161 +7,13 @@ Introduction -GnuCash is a program to keep track of your finances. Its features -include: +GnuCash is a program to keep track of your finances. +To get straight to work recording your finances, try the +Quick Start Guide. - - Multiple Accounts. -Create a GnuCash account for each of your bank -accounts. Each account maintains both a running balance and a -reconciled balance, so you can keep track of the checks that -have cleared your account. - - - - Simple User Interface. -If you can use the register in the back of your checkbook, you -can use GnuCash. -Type directly into the register, tab between fields, and use -quick-fill to automatically complete transactions. - - - - Automated Tools -for Reconciling Accounts. - -At the end of the month, open up the reconcile -window, enter the ending balance from your bank statement, and check -off the transactions that appear in the bank statement. This agrees -what you have recorded in GnuCash with what your bank has reported, -and makes it easier to track down any discrepancies. - - - QuickFill. - -If you begin typing in the description field, and the text matches -a previous transaction, hitting TAB will copy in that -previous transaction. This is a handy time saver if you regularly create -similar transactions. - - - - Stock/Mutual Fund Portfolios. - -Track stocks individually (one per account) or in - portfolio of accounts (a group of accounts that can be - displayed together). - There are tools to - automatically collect stock quotes. - - - - -Support for multiple - currencies and currency trading accounts. - - (partial, still broken). - Bank accounts may be established in different - currencies, and trades at varying exchange rates may be - made, in much the same way stocks trade at varying - prices. - - - - - - -Quicken File Import. - -Imports Quicken-style QIF files. The import wizard automatically -merges duplicate transactions. - - - - -Gnome MDI Interface -Have multiple views of your financial data, arranged how you want -them, in one or more windows that stay around through GnuCash sessions. - - - - -Reports. Display, -export as HTML, or print a variety of reports, including Balance Sheet, Account -Summary, Profit and Loss, Stock Portfolios, and Transaction Reports. Reports -are saved from session to session, and rolling reports are possible with -relative dates. GnuCash also supports a variety of customizable, printable, -bar and pie charts. - - - - -Gnome MDI Interface -Have multiple views of your financial data, arranged how you want -them, in one or more windows that stay around through GnuCash sessions. - - - - - - - - -Advanced Features - -GnuCash offers some features not found in simpler accounting - programs. - - - - Chart of Accounts - - -A master account can have a hierarchy of more detailed - accounts arranged underneath it. This allows related - account types (e.g. - Cash, Bank, Stock) to be - grouped under one master account ( e.g. - - Assets). - - - - -Double - Entry - - -Every transaction must debit one account and credit others - by an equal amount. This ensures that the 'books balance': - that the difference between income and outflow exactly equals - the sum of all assets, be they bank, cash, stock or other. - - - - -Income/Expense Account - Types (Categories) - -These serve not only to categorize your cash flow, but when used -properly with the double-entry feature and equity accounts, these can -provide an accurate Profit & Loss statement. - - - - -General Ledger - -Multiple accounts may be displayed in one register - window at the same time. This can make it easier to track - down data errors. It also provides a convenient way of - viewing a portfolio of many stocks, by showing all - transactions in that portfolio. - - - - - - - +For more information about the many features that GnuCash +offers, have a look at the Features + page. Versioning @@ -176,7 +28,10 @@ provide an accurate Profit & Loss statement. or an older stable version. These versions are fairly stable, with all currently known bugs fixed. The present "experimental" stream is gnucash-1.5.x, which is - somewhat unstable. + now almost at beta-test stage. This is the version you are + using right now, obviously! If you are using this version + with real data, PLEASE MAKE BACKUPS REGULARLY! + Once the 1.5.x series stabilizes, the next stable series will be 1.6.x. diff --git a/doc/sgml/C/xacc-features.sgml b/doc/sgml/C/xacc-features.sgml new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..70efe6d2f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/sgml/C/xacc-features.sgml @@ -0,0 +1,169 @@ +
+ + + Features + + + + + + Basic features + + + + GnuCash is powerful, versatile, and easy to use. If you want + to get an idea of everything GnuCash offers, read on! + + + + + Multiple Accounts. Create a GnuCash + account for each of your bank accounts. Each account + maintains both a running balance and a reconciled balance, + so you can keep track of the checks that have cleared your + account. + + + + + Simple User Interface. + If you can use the register in the back of your checkbook, you + can use GnuCash. Type directly into the + register, tab between fields, and use quick-fill to automatically + complete transactions. + + + + Automated Tools + for Reconciling Accounts. + + At the end of the month, open up the reconcile + window, enter the ending balance from your bank statement, and check + off the transactions that appear in the bank statement. This agrees + what you have recorded in GnuCash with what your bank has reported, + and makes it easier to track down any discrepancies. + + + QuickFill. + + If you begin typing in the description field, and the text matches + a previous transaction, hitting TAB will copy in that + previous transaction. This is a handy time saver if you regularly create + similar transactions. + + + + Stock/Mutual Fund Portfolios. + + Track stocks individually (one per account) or in + portfolio of accounts (a group of accounts that can be + displayed together). + There are tools to + automatically collect stock quotes. + + + + + Support for multiple + currencies and currency trading accounts. + + (partial, still broken). + Bank accounts may be established in different + currencies, and trades at varying exchange rates may be + made, in much the same way stocks trade at varying + prices. + + + + + + + Quicken File Import. + + Imports Quicken-style QIF files. The import wizard automatically + merges duplicate transactions. + + + + + Gnome MDI Interface + Have multiple views of your financial data, arranged how you want + them, in one or more windows that stay around through GnuCash sessions. + + + + + Reports. Display, + export as HTML, or print a variety of reports, including + Balance Sheet, Account Summary, Profit and Loss, Stock + Portfolios, and Transaction Reports. Reports are saved from + session to session, and rolling reports are possible with + relative dates. GnuCash also supports a variety of + customizable, printable, bar and pie charts. + + + + + + + + Advanced Features + GnuCash offers some features not found in simpler accounting + programs. + + + + Chart of Accounts + + +A master account can have a hierarchy of more detailed + accounts arranged underneath it. This allows related + account types (e.g. - Cash, Bank, Stock) to be + grouped under one master account ( e.g. - + Assets). + + + + +Double + Entry + + +Every transaction must debit one account and credit others + by an equal amount. This ensures that the 'books balance': + that the difference between income and outflow exactly equals + the sum of all assets, be they bank, cash, stock or other. + + + + +Income/Expense Account + Types (Categories) + +These serve not only to categorize your cash flow, but when used +properly with the double-entry feature and equity accounts, these can +provide an accurate Profit & Loss statement. + + + + +General Ledger + +Multiple accounts may be displayed in one register + window at the same time. This can make it easier to track + down data errors. It also provides a convenient way of + viewing a portfolio of many stocks, by showing all + transactions in that portfolio. + + + + + + + + +
+ + + diff --git a/doc/sgml/C/xacc-quickstart.sgml b/doc/sgml/C/xacc-quickstart.sgml new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..b0a6af6810 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/sgml/C/xacc-quickstart.sgml @@ -0,0 +1,189 @@ +
+ + + Getting Started + + + + + + Getting Started + + + + + Welcome + + + Hi there! Welcome to GnuCash 1.6, an easy-to-use, + powerful, and reliable personal finance program. This virtually + all-new version has an extensive list of features, and if you + want to know everything GnuCash can do, check the + features section + + + As much as is possible, GnuCash is designed to be intuitive to + use. Despite that, getting the most out of GnuCash requires + understanding a couple of simple ideas used throughout the + program, and used throughout the rest of this manual. + Therefore, we highly recommend that you spend a few minutes + reading this manual page. + + + + + + Remedial Accounting 101 + + + + At its core, GnuCash is a tool for tracking transactions. + A transaction is a record of money being removed from one "account" + and placed in another. To take a simple example, say you have + two bank accounts - a cheque account (that's checking, for the Americans + in the audience . . .), and an investment account, and you transfer + $500 from the cheque account to the investment account. GnuCash + records that transfer. + + + + "But what about when I buy things, or get paid?" I hear you ask. + Well, "accounts" in GnuCash aren't just bank accounts. You can + set up Income accounts, expense accounts, asset, liability, share + accounts, mutual fund accounts - in fact, there are a total of + 11 different account types GnuCash supports. You can (and should) + set up a number of different expense accounts for different + types of expenditure. So, your paycheck would be a transfer + from, say "salary", an income account, to your checking account. + Buying fuel with your credit card might be a transfer from + "ABC Visa", a credit card account, to "Fuel", an expense account. + If you've grasped all that, you're 90% of the way to making best + use of GnuCash! + + + + Now, if you're going to keep proper track of your finances, you'll + obviously want to create a variety of expense and income + accounts for keeping track of various transactions you'll make - + in fact, setting up the right set of accounts is the key to + making GnuCash work for you. + However, if you create many different accounts, it can be a pain + to keep track of them all. GnuCash has a way of dealing with + this, though. It lets you create a treeof accounts. + For instance, you can create a "Utilities" expense account, and + then create "Utilities:Power", "Utilities:Gas", and "Utilities:Phone". + We term "Utilities" to be the "parent" account, and the three others + to be "subaccounts". When you produce + reports of your financial data, you can choose whether + to display a summary of all "utilities" accounts, or data for + each individual account. + + + + Now let's go create some accounts! + + + + + + Setting up accounts from scratch + + + + This section is intended for people who are + using a personal finance program for the first time, + or can't import their data into GnuCash using the + QIF + importer. + + + + If you want, GnuCash can help set up a default set + of accounts for you, using the "New Account Setup" + druid. What's a druid? Well, it's kind of like a + wizard, but it's called a druid. Why? Because it's + not a wizard, it's a druid . . . + + + Anyway, the druid will take you through the process + of creating a set of accounts to get you going. + Simply follow the prompts to select a default currency, + then select the types of accounts you wish to create. + You will then be given the opportunity to enter opening + balances for these accounts. Now, here's where things + get a little tricky. The opening balances are just + a transaction, but where is it transferred from? + A special account of type "equity" is created, called + "Opening Balances", and all opening balances consist + of a transfer to (or from) this account. + + + + + + Importing data from other personal finance programs + + + + If you have used another personal finance program that + can export QIF files, such as Quicken or Microsoft Money, + you can import the data into GnuCash. See the instructions + for the QIF importer. + + + Once you've done that, you're ready to go - but first, + couple of quick hints about two things GnuCash + does a little differently from those programs: + + + Where some programs uses "categories" + to categorize expenses and income types, GnuCash + uses income and expense accounts. They work + in a similar way, but it's a considerably cleaner + and more flexible way of handling things once + you get used to the idea. + + Some programs use a list of accounts. + GnuCash uses a "tree" of accounts, allowing you + to group similar sorts of accounts - very useful + when reporting your financial data. You can + rearrange your accounts to use a more tree-like + structure by using the + Account Edit Dialog. + + + + + + + + Starting to use GnuCash + + + Once the druid has done it's thing, you'll end up + at the GnuCash main + window. To start entering transactions, select + the appropriate account and click on the "open" button + on the the toolbar. This brings up the account's + register, so you + can enter transactions. + You might also want to + add more accounts or + change something about + existing accounts. + + + Please take the time to read some more about GnuCash + in this online manual. You'll get much more out of + it! + + + +
+ + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/src/scm/tip-list.scm b/src/scm/tip-list.scm index ad4ae2119f..0b5de52b84 100644 --- a/src/scm/tip-list.scm +++ b/src/scm/tip-list.scm @@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ It probably has lots of bugs and unstable features! If you are looking for a stable personal finance application, you should use the latest release of GnuCash 1.4.") + (N_ "Users upgrading from GnuCash 1.4 should read the +\"What's new in GnuCash 1.6\" page in the online manual.") + (N_ "The GnuCash online manual has lots of helpful information. You can access the manual under the Help menu.")