`Balance' dialog box.. what is it for.

[Harry Putnam]

Josh Sled <jsled at asynchronous.org> writes:

> On Tue, 2004-08-03 at 23:09, Harry Putnam wrote:
>
>> First time user:
>> After creating a couple of test accounts, I go to the register to
>> enter some transactions.  Just simple deposit withdrawal stuff.
>
> Please describe the type of transaction you're attempting to create.

As above `simple deposit withdrawal stuff'  read=> I put in 30, I take
back out 20.  I get the aggravating dialog box.  Of course this is
unbalanced .. what else would it be?  If money remains in the account
the balance will not be zero.

Its pretty apparent this trick stuff is well over my head.  I'd hoped
to be able to fumble around for half an hour and figure out how to do
simple check book like activity without reading financial tombs to do
it.

I managed to learn to use a check book to suit my needs without reviewing
lots of documentation.  

> Specifically:
> * what splits?

This term `split' seems rather silly to me.  What is being split here?

> * into what accounts?

As stated `simple checking type account'  

> * of what amounts?

Opening balance (678.06)... to enter it I must be handed the dialog.
To take something from it (atm withdrawal of $240) again the dialog.
To add something back (deposit 200 from a saving account) again the dialog.

> and * what are the account-types.
A simple checking account.

Where is this information located?  Looking at the register screen I
see no mention of `account-type'.  Again in the main default opening
screen there is no column for `account-type'.  I'm not sure what you
are asking here.

> It sounds like you're creating unbalanced transactions, and GnuCash is
> trying to help you balance them.

Of course I'm creating unbalanced transactions.  Otherwise I wouldn't
need to keep track of them.  Wouldn't need a bank.  All transaction
would equal zero.  I'd always have 0 dollars in the bank.

> All transactions in GnuCash _must_ balance to 0.00.  That is: the sum of
> the credits and debits in all of the splits of any transaction must sum
> to 0.

I'm clearly lost here.  Sorry to be a pain in the butt.  Just too dumb
I guess.  If above were really true how would one ever have a checking
account balance that was in the black?

Further, if the balance always must be zero, why is there column on
the far right titled `balance'.  What might one expect reasonably to
see in that column.  I don't think one would often see:
balance
  0
  0
  0
[...]

>> I'm trying to use this register as one would a check register, is that
>> not how it is supposed to work?  
>
> You might be happier with the "Basic Ledger" style register, which hides
> the "implicit" split.

Sounds like it, is that something I can set so it is always in that style?
I see it is and further that it is the default already.  So apparently
the register I'm using is the `Basic Ledger' style.

>> This little dialog box is making the process at least 3 times slower
>> than it needs to be.  I don't understand the point.
>
> The point is Real Accounting Consistency. :)
> Formality does sometimes get in the way of ease-of-use.
> We try to balance both.

I think I'm ready for unreal Accounting then.  The kind a person using
a homeboy household type checking account can use to keep up with what
is in his bank and what will soon be going in or comming out.
And do it with a minimum of fuss.

Not to just be a wise guy but:
I'm not real concerned with zero balances.  Far more interested in
the + kind.  But must keep up with the - kind or go to jail.

I see I'll have to really dig into the documentation etc which does
seem a bit ridiculous for something as simple as keeping track of a
basic bank checking account.  I could understand needing to do some
reading and study to process complicated financial stuff in gnucash
but it shouldn't take all that to keep up with a check book.