HOME ACCOUNTS V1.4c  (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.

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)        :  alanrich@crystal.dircon.co.uk
     Fax                      :  44-(0)71-218-7326  (until 31 May 95 only)

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

     F A RICHEY
     c/o Sonas
     Calgary
     Isle of Mull
     Argle
     PA75 6QT

and mark the envelope:  "S3ABANK Registration"

(Please note this is only an accommodation address, as I will be moving around
the world after 1 Jun 95.  So, although registrations codes will be issued
immediately by my agent, technical queries will have to be redirected to
wherever I happen to be and may take some time to answer.  Please bear with
me on this until I have settled again.)

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, but for now leave
the Status Window in view.
  
13.  Note also that the Cursor keys (& PgUp/PgDn/Home/End) allow you to
select an account, or you can press the first letter of the Account to jump to it
straight away.  Select the 'Current' account for the next stage.

14.  Now move into the 'Transaction' Module.  This can be done either by
pressing the Diamond key, using the Mode MENU option, pressing <Shift-
PSION-T> or, the easiest method of all, just press <ENTER>. 

15.  Now enter an example transaction, such as writing a cheque.  Use the
MENU, <PSION-E> or just press <ENTER> to start the process.  Select the
date, (to make it easy it defaults to today's date), a description and an amount
(leaving it as a Debit in this case, as we are spending money).  Move down to
the  'Transfer' item and use the <TAB> key or the arrow keys to see how you
can select another account if it is an inter-account transfer (ie a cheque from the
Current Account paying the VISA bill).  Use 'External' for now, to show a
cheque being paid to an external  agency. Skip the 'Budget Item' field for now,
I'll explain that later.  Finally, you can use the Reference field for anything you
like, it's this case it's just a free field.  Press <ENTER> when complete.

16.  Add a few more, and to demonstrate the Transfer function, do a VISA
payment by paying a cheque as before, but selecting VISA in the Transfer field. 
Press <ENTER> when complete.  Now press <ESC>  (or Shift-PSION-A or via
the MENU), to get back to the Accounts screen, select the VISA account, and
check the transfer went in OK.

17.  Go back to the transactions in the Current Account and practice
updating entries (<PSION-U> or <TAB>) and deleting entries (<PSION-D> or
<DEL>).  (Please note,  In the case of a transfer, unlike other programs, it will
update/delete only that entry, not the one in the other account.  I have this on
my list of enhancements for V1.5).  Note that the Update menu replaces the
Transfer field with an Attribute field, (leave this at the moment, it is explained
next)  Also, note that if you press <CTRL-MENU> key to remove the Status
menu, you will see the additional details in the Reference field displayed on the
screen. 

18.  We can now simulate receiving a bank statement.  At the  start, the
Initial Balance figure should match the starting  balance on the statement (In
real life, if it doesn't, you must have made a mistake reconciling the previous
statement!).  Now reconcile each entry on the statement, using <PSION-R>,
<R> or, more easily, the Space Bar.  Once you have a reconciled entry, the
Initial Balance window changes to Reconciled Balance.  After each entry is
checked, the new Reconciled Balance should match the balance on the
statement.  

19.  Having confirmed the statement, we should now archive the entries 
(You must do this regularly, as you can hold a maximum of only 100
transactions in each Account).   Press <PSION-V> to create an Archive file. 
This will default to the same disc/directory as the normal data, but can actually
be put anywhere.  (The way I use this facility is to call the archive 1995  and
use it till the end of the year.  Then change the filename to 1996, and use that. 
Once I feel I will not require regular access to the 1995 archive again, I store
it on a floppy and delete it from the SSD.  Another method many people use is
to have a separate Archive file for each account.)  Now archive the account
using <PSION-A>, and store the reconciled transactions in an Archive file.  (If
required, you also have the flexibility of Archiving ALL entries, just removing
the entries (but still updating the balance), and specifying an end-date.)  The
system defaults to Append mode, but at a later date you may wish to overwrite
an Archive.  At this point, it's worth pointing out the difference between
'Remove' and 'Delete'.  Use 'Delete' when you have made a mistake and want to
get rid of the transaction, and use 'Remove' when you have finished with a
transaction but still require it to be taken into account in future Balance
calculations.

20.  You can then view the archive at any time by pressing <Shift-PSION-
V> (or by using the Diamond key or the MENU).  When the file gets quite long,
there is a 'Find' and 'Find Next' option to enable you to find a transaction.  If, at
a later date you wish to use another archive file just use <PSION-S>.  As 
this is just a practice session, I suggest you now delete the Archive file 
using <PSION-D>.  Press <ESC> or <ENTER> to remove the message, then <ESC> 
to get back to the Accounts screen and use <PSION-V> to specify your 
preferred name for the future.

21.  Another option I have included is the 'Deferred Transaction' idea, where
you can put in a transaction which you know will happen in the future, but not
include it in the balances. To see this, go into the Current Account, select the
transaction, and use the menu or just press D or <PSION-W> (Illogical I know,
but I ran out of letters !!).  The entry will then be ignored in all future
calculations.  I have also included an 'Auto' option for this, accessible from the
main screen CONFIG menu.  If this is set to Auto, any transaction entered for
a future date will be automatically deferred, and when the date arrives, the
deferred flag will be automatically cleared.  Following some adverse comment
from users, I have also added the option of displaying the Balance after a
Deferred Transaction, either incorporating or ignoring the value of the deferred
entry (Use <PSION-B> to set)

22.  By popular request, I have also included an option to draw a line under
a transaction (<PSION-L> OR <L>).  You can use this to indicate a credit card
statement date for example.

23.  For advanced users, I have also incorporated a 'Default Transaction'
option.  Using the CONFIG Menu (or <PSION-G>), you can define up to 20
default transactions.  These can then be quickly obtained by pressing <SHIFT-
ENTER> instead of <ENTER> when in the transaction screen (or <PSION-J>),
and then most of the fields will already be completed.  If you call one of the
defaults 'Cheque' or 'Check', it can also automatically increment cheque
numbers held in the Reference field.

This completes the initial tutorial, and if this is all you need you can stop here. 
However, the program has much more built in.

I suggest you follow this demonstration of the more advanced functions:

STANDING ORDERS

1.   Select the Standing Orders screen using the MENU key, successive
presses of the diamond key or <Shift-PSION-O>. 

2.   Now use <PSION-E>  or <ENTER> to enter a Standing Order.  The
date field is the first date when the order should be actioned.  Leave it on
today's date for the demonstration.  You should use 'External' in the FROM or
TO fields if you are paying or receiving to/from an external agency (use <TAB>
or cursor keys to select other accounts), fill in a description and an amount, then
press <ENTER>.  Note that I have given you the opportunity to have a different
value for the first time a Standing Order is used, as this happens fairly regularly
(If either of the Amount fields is left empty, it will assume it is the same as the
other).  You now enter the second input screen.  Specify how regularly you
want the order actioned.  Note that the program can accept, for example,  3-
weekly Standing Orders, and the 'last day of the month', unlike some others. 
Use today's date for the demo,' Current' in the FROM field, 'VISA' in the TO
field and 2 weeks as the period.  Leave the  Budget Item field, it will be covered
later,  and if required, specify the number of times you want the Standing Order
to be actioned (0 means indefinitely).

3.   These Standing Orders will be automatically credited/debited to/from
the appropriate accounts when the initial date arrives, the date reset to the next
occurrence and, if appropriate, the number of times will reduce by one.  If it
was the last time, the order is left with 'Completed' flag against it, and you can
then either delete it, or leave it as a reminder.  No further  action on your part
is required.

4.   As usual, you can Update (<PSION-U> or <TAB>) or delete (<PSION-
D> or <DEL>) entries as required, and note the period and number of times are
displayed if you turn the Status Window off.  There is no 'Move' command as
the Orders are automatically sorted into date order.

5.   To prove it works, press <Esc> to go back to the main screen.  You
should see the Standing Order being processed, and when complete, the
Accounts should have been updated.  Go into the Orders screen, and you should
see the Order date has moved on the appropriate period.

6.   There is also an option to use the Standing Order screen to allocate
an estimated interest figure automatically on the 1st of every month.  Simply
use <PSION-I> to specify the first date, and which account should be
actioned.  The Interest rate to be used must be specified for the account in
the Transaction screen using <PSION-C>.  The amount to be
credited/debited is calculated using this figure, and the final balance on the
account. (The exception to this is an account of the 'Credit Card' type, where
no interest will be credited, only debited if the account is in debt.)

7.   Finally, there is an option to have a 'Total' window displayed using
<PSION-T> if you feel it is useful.

CURRENCIES

The program provides full support for all currencies.  It caters for what I believe
is the most difficult case, of someone living in Country A, running some
accounts in Country B, and occasionally visiting Country C.  It does this by
using 3 currency settings:

  a. The Base Currency is the main currency for the program, and
  will normally be your country of origin. 
  
  b. The Group Currency is the country where the bank
  account/investments are held.
  
  c. The Secondary Currency is the country that you are temporarily
  visiting.
  
To reduce any possible rounding errors caused by currency switching, the
Shares, Budget and Petrol, House Contents and Planning files are held on disc
in the Base currency, and the Account files are held in the Group Currency. 
Although you would normally set these currencies at the start, and not change
them, the program will allow you to change them and recalculate the values.

To show the capability:

1.   Select the Currency  screen (<Shift-PSION-C>).  If you want, enter a
few more currencies (<PSION-E>) (France for example), specifying the
Country,  Symbol (ie FF) and the exchange Rate relative to the Base Currency. 
(Note the usual update and delete options are available, as well an 'Update All'
option if, like me, you do them all at once from the evening paper.

2.   You will see there is a 'G' against your  currency, which shows the Base
Currency in use.  There might also be a '*' against the  currency you selected as
the secondary currency.  The purpose of the secondary currency is to allow you
to enter transactions in a different currency to the Base Currency if you are
temporarily there on holiday or business.  The next few steps  should
demonstrate this.

3.   Select a secondary currency different to the Group Currency.  (Either via
the MENU, <PSION-F> or selecting it and pressing  <ENTER>.  Press <ESC>
again, then <ENTER> to go into the Transactions screen for the Current
Account.

4.   Now select the Foreign Currency option <PSION-F>.  This will now
remain in force for this Account, until reversed, even if you exit the program
(Note that it only affects this Account, not the whole Group, if you want the
whole Group to be affected, use the <PSION-C> option from the main screen.). 
Now enter a new transaction (<ENTER>).  The difference is that the Reference
field is now replaced by a Currency field.  This defaults to your secondary
currency, but can actually be set to any currency you like.  When you enter the
transaction, using the local currency value, you will find that the amount has
automatically converted to the Group Currency.  (If you press CTRL-MENU,
you will see that the original value (rounded down because of screen space !)
has been  stored in the Reference field.)  Once you are happy, deselect the
Foreign Currency option <PSION-F> before you quit.

5.   Back in the Currency screen, there are options to set the number of  decimal
places, inverse the rate display and, for those who have fixed overseas
allowances, an optional allowances column to enter daily allowances.  (This is
for info only and is not used in any calculations.  Use the Update 
option to set the figure)

6.   Finally, there is a conversion option (<PSION-C>), which is quite
straightforward, and can actually be accessed from any screen by pressing <C>.

BUDGET/EXPENSES

This module allows you to keep track of how much you are spending for
various categories (Oil, Gas, Holiday, Car etc)
 
1.   Select the Budget screen using the MENU, the diamond key or  <Shift-
PSION-B>.  

2.   Now use <PSION-E> (or <Enter>) to enter a category.  Use Electricity
as an example, and any numbers you fancy for the Annual Estimate and start
date, as these are purely for information. Press <ENTER> to put it in, and add
a couple more, such as 'Car' and ''Phone' for interest.  Then note that, as usual,
you can Update (<PSION-U>) or Delete (<PSION-D>) or Move (<PSION-M>)
the entries later.  When you try updating, <PSION-U> (or <TAB>), you will see
I have programmed it to allow a change to the spend, rather than an absolute
value.  I decided on that because I thought the normal use would be if you paid
a bill by cash and wanted to add it to the total.  If enough people want to edit
the absolute value I can always incorporate that option.

3.   Now press <ESC>, select 'Current Account' and press <ENTER>.  Enter
a transaction, pretending you are paying an Electricity bill (<PSION-E>).  Fill
in the usual details , then move to the 'Budget Item' field.  Use the <TAB> key
or the cursor keys (or press 'E') to select 'Electricity' then <ENTER> the
transaction. 

4.   Now go back into the Budget screen (<Shift-PSION-B>), and you
should see that the Electricity entry now shows an appropriate increase in
current spend.  (Negative to show that it is a spend).  If you have the Status
Window removed, you will also see the spend expressed as a percentage, to
enable you to see how you are doing.

5.   Finally, note that if you prefer, you can reverse the logic of the display
(using <PSION-T>) and have amount remaining, rather than amount spent,
displayed.

This module is common across all Groups, unlike the Standing Orders, which
are specific to a Group.  Any subsequent updates to account transactions, or
deleting entries, should amend the Budget reading accordingly.  Also, it can be
used retrospectively to include existing entries, if the Budget Field is amended
during an update from 'NONE' to the Budget item.  Please note that the date is
only for information.  The program does not keep a record of where the 'Spend'
came from, so don't expect a change in date to affect the total figure.

There is also an option of setting a 'filter' in the Transaction screen so 
that only transactions from those categories are shown.  Use <PSION-B> in 
the appropriate screen to activate the filter.

BUDGET PLANNER

This is an extension to the existing Budget module, and allows for accurate
future budgeting.  It basically works on 3 different levels:

Level 1.  To start up the module, use the Menu, diamond key or <PSION-
SHIFT-N>.  Now use <PSION-E> to enter a couple of agencies who send you
bills, such as Electricity and Phone (The usual Update, Delete and Move
options are available as always).   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 each month. 
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 or decrease the
transfer accordingly, depending on how much in debt you are willing to go. 
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 that I operate.  Use <PSION-A>
to enter the mode once you have completed all the entries.  From now on, the
present month will always 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.

SHARES    

If you have a shares portfolio, you can use this program to keep track of their
value, and their history.

1.   Select the Shares screen (<Shift-PSION-S> or the MENU or  the
Diamond key).

2.   Enter a couple of example shares. (<PSION-E>) (For reasons that will
become obvious, you can't use <Enter> in this case).  Note that the currency in
use is shown on the top line, if you wish to change it, then go into the screen
from a Group which has the correct Base currency.

3.   The usual update, delete and move options are available, plus a new
'Update All' option (<PSION-L>).  I use this once a week to update every share
at once.  Try this, and then say 'Yes' to  the 'Update History' question.  Now
select a share and press  <ENTER> (or <PSION-V>) and you will see the
history display.  Once you start updating regularly, the values will be tabulated
on the left, and a graph of performance will be drawn on the right.   (While you
are in this screen, you can set the X-Scale Factor (<PSION-S>) to  the number
of pixels/entry; use this depending on how many  entries you have, and the Y-
Scale factor (<PSION-Y>) to the max/min values of price or, probably the best
way, an automatic scaling).  In this mode, you can also change the start date, if
the history file starts to get a bit long. 

4.   This option to update the history file is also available if you update
individual shares and, if you make a mistake, you can delete the last entry.  If
you use this module to track Unit Trusts, you can specify non-integer share
numbers via the Config menu, and also, as shares are often quoted to 3 dec
places, I have allowed you to overwrite the Global decimal places setting for
the share price, again through the Config Menu.

5.   <ESC> gets you back to the Shares screen, and I suggest  you now
delete the history file <PSION-K>, as this was only a  demo.

6.   Finally, I personally have the Shares included as a separate Account
inside my Savings Group, and it is programmed to automatically update the
total if I change the Shares screen.  This option is offered to you if you generate
a new Account in any Group with a short title called 'Shares' (or 'Stocks').

7.   Press <ESC> to go back to the Accounts screen.

PETROL

I have included this option to keep track of my petrol consumption.  Initially it
was just for one car, but some of my friends asked if it could cope with more
than one.  It will now accept 10, which should be enough for anyone.

1.   Go into the Petrol screen (<Shift-PSION-P> or Menu or diamond) and
press <ENTER> to remove the warning message.  Note that it defaults to Litres
and Miles, if you want to use UK or US Gallons, or kilometres, press <PSION-
G> and <PSION-K> to change the defaults, and press <ENTER> again to
remove the messages (Sorry about those, but I have spent a great deal of time
on this programme and I am keen that you should register !!).

2.   Type <PSION-+> to add the first car, calling it anything you like,
although the type is probably a logical choice.

3.   You can now enter the details manually, or automatically.  First try a
manual entry:  type <PSION-E> and fill in the details.  The cost in the first
screen is how much you spent.  Note that in the second screen it will actually
allow you to enter the total in litres or gallons,   or the price per litre/gallon (but
not both).  It will always default to your last selection, (NOT the screen
selection, as I personally like to enter the total in litres and have the screen
show Miles/Gallon)  If you called the screen from an account where the foreign
currency option was selected, or the global foreign currency option is selected,
you will also be offered a foreign currency.  Put in a representative mileage for
the first entry  (Please Note:  this is the total mileage read directly off the
mileometer, NOT the mileage since you last filled up the tank).  After entry, the
screen will indicate the baseline entry.

4.   Now type in another value, again using a logical TOTAL mileage.  You
should see that the spot MPG (or KPL etc) has now been evaluated, and that the
average MPG is the same as the spot.  (Logical, of course, because it only has
1 entry to work on. Once there are a number of entries a genuine average MPG
will be calculated.)

5.   This method of entering is really only for the case where you pay cash
for petrol.  If you pay by cheque or plastic, you can enter it automatically.  To
demonstrate this, press <ESC> and then go into the Current Account.  Enter a
new transaction, making sure the description or the Remark is 'Petrol' (or
'petrol').  (If you are a USA customer, you can configure it to accept the word
'Gas', using the Terminology option in the Config menu in the main screen) 
After pressing <ENTER> you should be asked if you wish to update the History
file.  Press Yes, and fill in the details as before.  On completion, go to the Petrol
screen and you should see that it has been entered, and the MPGs/MPLs have
altered accordingly.

6.   Now try entering a second car (<PSION-A>) (don't worry if you don't
have one, you can delete it later).  The screen will now display the new car, and
you can repeat a similar exercise as for the first car.  If you now enter a petrol
transaction into the Current Account you will see that an extra field has
appeared, allowing you to specify which car the purchase relates to.   For this
demo use the second car.  Pressing <PSION-S> in the Petrol screen will give
you the opportunity to return to the original car. 

7.   Finally, go back to the petrol screen, select the second car using
<PSION-S> and delete it using <PSION--> (and the first one as well, if you
don't want to use this option). 

8.   Because this is a history file, I have not included an option to delete any
entry except the last line, as this would wreck the 'Average MPG' calculation. 
Also, if you subsequently alter a Petrol transaction in the normal Account, it
will NOT automatically update the Petrol history.  Therefore, I have just
incorporated an 'Update' option to correct any mistakes you might make.  In
particular, note that an entry put in out of order will NOT automatically be put
in the right place.

HOME CONTENTS

This module is used to allow you to keep track of the value of your
possessions for the purposes of insurance policies.  The module is very easy
to use, and simply contains details of every one of your possessions, based
on a description, a value, a serial number for your electrical goodies such as
the Series 3A, a room location and a category.  The rooms and categories
can be added, updated and deleted from their individual screens.  The items
can be entered either from the main room screen or from the item
description screen.
          
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.


This completes the Tutorial, there simply remains a list of the more advanced
features you may wish to use:

GENERAL.


1.   By popular request, I have included a 'Quicken' Import and Export
option.  As it was very simple, I have also included an option to export an
ASCII file, and a 'Comma Separated Variable' (CSV) option which could be
loaded into any spreadsheet.  Because of different ways of exporting the date
field between UK and US versions of Quicken, you have to specify, during the
Import/Export process, which version you are using.  (USA Versions, regardless
of display format, export & import dates as MM/DD/YY, UK versions use
DD/MM/YY).  To export, use <PSION-Q> from the Accounts screen or the
Transaction screen, and fill in the required details.  I believe they are all self-
explanatory. To import from Quicken, select <PSION-I> and specify whether
you wish to start a new account or import into a the selected account.

2.   Just to be REALLY safe, I have also provided a BACKUP and
RESTORE option (<PSION-B> and <PSION-R> in the Accounts screen).  I
think the program is safe, but then I would say that wouldn't I !!  Use this option
to keep a COMPLETE copy of all your data files somewhere on the system.  If
you lose some data and you haven't kept a backup of some description, don't
expect any sympathy from me !!

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

4.   I have provided information screens. Press <PSION-G> from Main
screen and <PSION-N> from the Transactions screen.

5.   After popular demand, I have incorporated a 'Look Ahead' mode
<PSION-L>.  For example, on the 27th of the month, you can have a prediction
of your status on the 2nd of next month when all Standing Orders and Deferred
Transactions are taken into account.  I have also left in the Transaction
Enter/Update/Delete options, so you can do some 'what if' budgeting.  In V1.4,
I improved this option, so that you can either do it for all accounts in a Group
(the default), or for a single account.

6.   In a similar vein, I have implemented a 'Pay Bills' option - <PSION-P>
in the main screen, similar to that provided 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.

7.   When I first wrote the programme, it was obviously designed for my
use.  Following comments received from V1.0, many of the details have
become configurable.  So far, these are as follows:

  a. The Symbols for Cleared, Reconciled and Deferred entries can
  be defined.
  
  b. You can use the term 'Future Transactions' rather than 'Standing
  Orders'.  
  
  c. The Escape key can be configured to offer a quick way of
  changing accounts, rather than returning to the main screen.  This
  option is also available by using <PSION-S> from the Transaction
  screen.
  
     d.   I like to have 'Initial Balance' displayed in the transaction screen,
but other
     people prefer 'Current Balance'.  You can toggle between them using
<PSION-T>.

     e.   The Terminology menu also incorporates selections for 'Check'
     & 'Cheque', 'Petrol' & 'Gas', and 'Shares' and 'Stocks'.

8.   If anyone else has some different preferences, let me know, and I can
incorporate them in V1.4

9.   Note the individual Groups can be Password protected.  Use <PSION-
@> from the Accounts screen.  from V1.4 onwards, this password is not case-
sensitive.

10.  Many of the screens have a Print option.  The Printer Setup menu allows
you to specify page length.  (Because it only outputs text, there is no necessity
to specify the printer type.)  It also gives you the option of outputting to an
ASCII file for another word processor. 

11.  I have put in a separate option to allow foreign currencies to be used in
the Budget screen even if they are not being used anywhere else.  (This program
is nothing if not flexible).

12.  I've implemented a 'memo pad' feature along the same lines as that used
for the 'To-Do' lists in Agenda.  Simply access a Notepad using <PSION-+>.

13.  Don't forget the Help menu (<HELP> or <PSION-H> for context
sensitive help and <PSION-/> for an Index)


If I've forgotten something , please let me know.
