by I am pleased to announce the second alpha release of ``cbb'', a check
book balancing program written specifically for Unix. It is
implemented in two parts. The data base ``engine'' is written in Perl
and the graphical front end is written in Tcl/Tk.
The primary changes from the last release are:
- much better entry field key board bindings
- memorized transactions (i.e. type the first few characters of
the description, and the rest is automatically filled in for you.)
- better category handling.
- Added an automatic install script.
I consider this software still in the ``alpha'' stage. There is still
quite a bit of work left to be done, but since the package is advanced
far enough to be usable, I am releasing it to the net. Hopefully
others will be able to find it as useful as I do.
I embarked on this project primarily because I was incredibly sick of
having to reboot my Linux machine just to run windows and Quicken.
(Now don't get me wrong, Quicken is a fine program and is sold for a
fine price, but I hated having to stoop down to ``window's'' level in
order to keep track of my money.)
Since I am in the process of developing this software, I welcome all
questions, comments, suggestions, complaints, assistance, etc., etc.
I am including the ``README'' for those who are interested in further
details.
=======================8<====README=====8<============================
The latest version is always available at:
ftp.me.umn.edu:/pub/cbb-[version].tar.gz
Note, this program requires specifically: perl 4.036 and wishx. (wishx
is the tclX interpreter -- i.e. extended tcl/tk) If you run
Linux/Slackware installing the perl (d-series), and tclX (tcl-series)
packages should satisfy this requirement.
So far I have been very encouraged by the results. Here's a quick
run down of the current features:
- Ability to import quicken export files.
- Ability to enter transactions. Automatically calculates the running
balance.
- Some input accelerators. i.e. +/- in the date and check # fields work
as in quicken. Category completion: type the first few characters of
the category, and the rest will be filled in from the category list.
* Entry field keyboard bindings!
* Better category handling.
* Memorized transactions to speed entry.
- Simple, but functional undo.
- Ability to handle ``quicken style'' splits.
- Balancing: Ability to enter a statement starting/ending balance, select
uncleared transactions, verify start balance + transactions = end balance,
then clear all selected transactions.
* Now, a little documentation!
* An install script.
Planned features (future work)
- Transfers between accounts.
- Export in quicken format.
- Include many more error/sanity checks.
- Interactive category editor ... right now you must use a text editor :)
- Generate various reports.
- Work on increasing performance.
- Clean up a lot of things ... certain traditional interface things act
funny or aren't included yet.
- A more sophisticated multilevel undo?
Things that would be nice but are far in the future (probably)
- Ability to manage budgets.
- Ability to handle recurring transactions
- A text based front end?
- ??? ... The possibilities are endless :)
PREREQUISITES
=============
Tcl & Tk is available via anonymous ftp from:
ftp.cs.berkeley.edu:/ucb/tcl/[tcl7.3.tar.Z tk3.6.tar.Z]
ftp.neosoft.com:/pub/tcl/distrib/[tcl7.3.tar.gz tk3.6.tar.gz]
ftp.uu.net:languages/tcl/[tcl7.3.tar.Z tk3.6.tar.Z]
Extended Tcl 7.3b can be down loaded by anonymous FTP from:
ftp.neosoft.com:/pub/tcl/distrib/tclX7.3b.tar.gz
harbor.ecn.purdue.edu:tcl/extensions/tclX7.3b.tar.gz
Perl is available via anonymous ftp from:
prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu/perl-4.036.tar.gz
ftp.cs.umn.edu:/pub/gnu/perl-4.036.tar.gz
AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION
======================
Type "make install"
Answer the questions.
MANUAL INSTALLATION
===================
Here is the manual install procedure ... for those that are
interested.
0. Make sure you have installed Tcl/Tk, Extended Tcl, and Perl.
1. Uncompress/untar the distribution file.
2. Copy ``cbb'' and ``engine.pl'' to some place in your path.
(i.e. /usr/local/bin)
3. Make sure they are both executable. (i.e. mode 755)
4. Make sure the first line of the file ``cbb'' specifies the location
of your wishx interpreter.
Likewise, make sure the first line of the file ``engine.pl'' specifies
the location of your perl interpreter.
5. Copy ``default.cat'' to someplace where ``cbb'' can find it (not
necessarily in your path ... i.e. /usr/local/lib/cbb/default.cat)
6. Find the line towards the beginning of the file ``cbb'' that reads
``set def_cat_path .'' Replace the ``.'' with the ``directory''
you used for the previous step.
``demo.cbb'' provides a *lame* example data file to help get you
going. Make sure you are in the directory where you unpacked the
distribution and type ``cbb demo'' (without the .cbb extension) to
start cbb and load the sample data file. Or, just type ``cbb'' and
open up the data file from within the application.
Let me know what you think!!! Thanks,
Curt.
--
.
Try Linux ... \__[0]__/
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