Advice for converting from MS Money

[Charles Denentt]

Hi,

Just set up my first Linux system at home (I'm an old Solaris sysadmin.)
System is dual boot only because I still use MS Money plus one other windows
only app.  

Last night I installed gnucash 1.8.1 from my RedHat 9 CD and then upgraded it
to 1.8.4 from an rpm I found by reading some of the list archives.  Now I'm
ready to start converting from MS Money to Gnucash and have one less reason
to use windows.

I had started out with Money 98 under Windows 98 and eventually upgraded to 
Money 2001 under Windows 2000.  I use money for the family finances.  Checking
account, savings accounts, mortgage, car loans, 401K, mutual funds/stocks,
credit cards, etc.  I do not use any online features other than to obtain
stock/mutual fund prices.  I still write paper checks and tranfer my paper
check register to Money and update various other accounts manually.

I figure I'll start by exporting the various accounts from Money and import them
to gnucash.  I'll play around with it for a while to get comfortable with it.
I'll probably use both Money and gnucash at the same time just to get use to it.  (or until I get sick and tired of doing everything twice!)

Anyhow, to get to my point.  I've printed off Dave Gilbert's Users's Guide (yeah, I'm old fashioned and like the printed docs) and have been going through the list archives (BTW, April 2003 is messed up.)  Are there any pointers or advice or things to watch out for from anyone who may have done this in the
past?  Any "gotchas" I need to be aware of?

Oh, one other thing I thought of.  When using Money, I had archived records after the end of each year.  This left several accounts with negative starting balances.  Don't know if this will mess up the export/import process.

Thanks for any advice.  I hope to be able to return the favor someday.

Charlie Dennett