double entry question

[Michael P. Soulier]

    Hey people. I'm new to the idea of double entry, and I'm far from an
accountant, and I have a basic question. 
    I noticed in April's Linux Journal that the initial balance of one's bank
account would come from a corresponding equity account, but the article did
not define where the initial balance in the phone bill would come from. If I'm
just starting to use gnucash and I have an outstanding phone bill, credit card
balance, etc., where does that balance come from? 

    Also, would the amount on a bill be a positive or negative value? 

    Sorry for the basic questions. 

    Thanks,

    Mike

-- 
Michael P. Soulier <msoulier@storm.ca> 
"With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. However, this is not necessarily a
good idea. It is hard to be sure where they are going to land, and it could be
dangerous sitting under them as they fly overhead." -- RFC 1925