Bill System Questions

[Derek Atkins]

Hi,

The fact that there are circular paths in the GUI is a direct
result of the pre-meditated choice to allow different mechanisms
to get to various business features.  Instead of forcing you to
get to different pages/dialogs only from one path through the UI
I chose explicitly to provide multiple ways to get to various
dialogs.   The result of this is that there are circular paths.

I'm sorry if that confused you, but it was a deliberate choice
to make it EASIER to get to a specific page.  Each page is
independent, with no knowledge of how you got to the page,
so going from A -> B -> C -> D doesn't let D know that it shouldn't
let you get to A again.  However you can get to C either through
the main menu or through B, or perhaps even from A or D.

As for my comments about stupid users and idiots, there are lots
of stupid people out there, and lots of idiots, too.  I certainly
wasn't directing it at you specifically.  I just pointing out that
gnucash is a tool and all tools can be used to help you or, if
used incorrectly, to hurt yourself.  Even the simple gardening
trowel can slice open your finger if used incorrectly.

I recognize you've worked hard over the years supplying bug reports
and periodically a patch or two, and I thank you for your continued
support.

-derek

"David T." <sunfish62 at yahoo.com> writes:

> Des, Derek and Elizabeth--
>
> I appreciate all the assistance. I will strive to understand these features better. Posting the invoices will (obviously) help a great deal. It's too bad I didn't see the section on posting invoices in the Concept Guide, or the button on the toolbar; my eyes stayed within the Edit Bill window.
>
> Derek, I take exception to your comments with regard to "stupid users" and "idiots." Your comments are rude, and do a disservice to the Gnucash community. Many software developers consider the input of their user base (even the "stupid" ones) to be a valuable asset, and use these inputs to gain insight on how their software is received by that user base. This feedback can serve to improve the software. I have seen over the years, however, that you frequently consider users to be annoyances best dealt with by insulting them, as you have done here.
>
> I recognize that you have made great contributions to this software package, and I am sincerely grateful for both the software and your ongoing support for it. 
>
> In anticipation of your hackneyed response that "patches are always welcome," I will reiterate that I am not a programmer, and have done my best to help this software and this community in the ways I know how. 
>
> David
>
> --- On Mon, 3/23/09, Derek Atkins <warlord at MIT.EDU> wrote:
>
>> From: Derek Atkins <warlord at MIT.EDU>
>> Subject: Re: Bill System Questions
>> To: "Des Dougan" <des at douganconsulting.com>
>> Cc: sunfish62 at yahoo.com, "Users Gnucash" <gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
>> Date: Monday, March 23, 2009, 11:21 PM
>> HI,
>> 
> [snip]
>> >> 7) When searching for a bill to pay from the
>> Process Payment window,
>> >> the search results window re-uses the general
>> results window.
>> >> Unfortunately, this window includes a Process
>> Payment button, which
>> >> leads the unsuspecting stupid user (me) into a
>> foggy haze trying to
>> >> figure out where they are in the Process Payment
>> process.
>> >
>> > If you use the Payables Aging report (and Receivables
>> Aging for your
>> > invoices), you can select the sum owed, click on the
>> Bill link to see
>> > the bill you created, then select Business, Pay
>> Invoice. To me, it's a
>> > cleaner process.
>> 
>> Either way, stupid users can shoot themselves in the foot. 
>> There just
>> aren't that many safety measures in the world to
>> protect an idiot.  If
>> you don't understand the tools you're using you can
>> still drill a hole
>> in your head.  I'm sorry, but I'm of the opinion
>> that the drill maker
>> is NOT responsible for you putting the bit to your skull
>> and you pulling
>> the trigger.   You get what you deserve.
>> 
>> >> Please remember to CC this list on all your
>> replies.
>> >> You can do this by using Reply-To-List or
>> Reply-All.
>> 
>> -derek
>> 
>> -- 
>>        Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT
>> Media Laboratory
>>        Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board 
>> (SIPB)
>>        URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA    
>> N1NWH
>>        warlord at MIT.EDU                        PGP key
>> available
>
>
>
>       
>
>

-- 
       Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT Media Laboratory
       Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board  (SIPB)
       URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA     N1NWH
       warlord at MIT.EDU                        PGP key available