command line QIF import

Wed Oct 18 12:14:26 EDT 2017

I keep a copy of Gnucash on my computer, in the remote chance that some 
of the obvious anti-user issues would be resolved.  I ran it a moment 
ago.  I keep a copy of my chart of accounts on line, and the copy I use 
is to test various types of transactions.  The easiest for me is paying 
the rent.

1. The program opens in the Cash-Checking Account journal register.  I 
entered the check number.  For "Description", instead of a description, 
I put the name of the payee, in this case "Landlord", I entered the 
account name "Rent" I put the cursor into the credit column because I am 
reducing the cash account.  I hit enter to end the transaction.  The 
transaction I entered disappeared.  Let me clarify that: THE TRANSACTION 
DISAPPEARED.  I scrolled up, in case it scrolled off the screen, even 
though only one transaction was on the screen.  Where did the 
transaction go?  I don't know.  I am sure if I do a trial balance, I 
might find it.  If I made an error, a window should have popped up 
telling me of my error.

2.  Actually this item is not an "assertion", it is an offered solution, 
as I have written a few accounting programs in my 36 years of using 
micro-computers.  By a "preference" switch, I am referring to an option 
in the "preferences" section allowing the user to select, via a check 
box, similar to choosing "Debit" or Credit" vs. the non-accounting 
titles, another transaction data entry option, one that is more user 
friendly to a bookkeeping/accounting person, even on who is not Intuit 
aware.

3. I appreciate your interest in it.  Actually, because I bought my copy 
from an Egghead store years ago, I have had no need to find another.  As 
I wrote, years ago Intuit bought IHA from Craig Carlson and Stephen 
Pollack, and hired the two of them.  I received the notice in February 
of 1992.  I kept it as a compliment to IHA for their product being 
purchased by a worthy competitor.

Note:
There is more to item one.  If you create an unbalanced transaction, the 
difference is silently placed into an account that is not in your chart 
of accounts.  This was discussed by several 'veterans' of this list, 
when I addressed it, and it was determined by the programmers that it 
was best to not create a pop-up "error message" window.  I disagree.  
The solution, of course is a simple if/then structure that looks at a 
'preferences' option, and, inside the if/then structure is the pop-up 
window. Those who choose to see a warning of their error, will see it, 
so they can correct it while all is fresh in their mind, while those 
who, like the ostrich with its head in the sand, wish to not be bothered 
with such trivialities, would merrily go on to the next transaction.

John

On 10/17/2017 10:05 AM, David Carlson wrote:
> John R. Sowden,
>
> Could you please elaborate on your assertions that
>
> 1. "errors, often based on changing amounts (2 debits, etc.,) are 
> hidden from the user."
>
> 2. "A 'preference' switch to allow users who are familiar and 
> comfortable with the 'Intuit Way' to continue, vs. those with 
> accounting knowledge who want a transaction to look like a 
> transaction, could have it that way, is a possibility."
>
> 3. is "In House Accountant" available on the internet?
>
> David C
>
> On Tue, Oct 17, 2017 at 10:36 AM, John R. Sowden 
> <jsowden at americansentry.net <mailto:jsowden at americansentry.net>> wrote:
>
>     To: Liz, the moderator, and the list:
>
>     Actually Gnucash seems to strike a strong resemblance to Quicken. 
>     The data entry in the journal mode with no payee in the check or
>     source account entry (from cash, checking, or credit cards), and
>     where the amounts of the entry change in during the data entry
>     process, and where errors, often based on changing amounts (2
>     debits, etc.,) are hidden from the user.
>
>     It makes sense that users of the Intuit family of products want to
>     leave, due to some of their business practices; and some desire to
>     use an operating system that is not founded on enhancing the
>     profits of the publishers at the user's expense.
>
>     I watch Gnucash for fixes to these problems, but all I see are
>     justifications of why they exist.  A 'preference' switch to allow
>     users who are familiar and comfortable with the 'Intuit Way' to
>     continue, vs. those with accounting knowledge who want a
>     transaction to look like a transaction, could have it that way, is
>     a possibility.  The end result would be a transaction posted to
>     the appropriate accounts.
>
>     I use a DOS program run under Dosemu in Ubuntu, written by 2
>     programmers who sold their program to Intuit.  Intuit buried their
>     program, "In House Accountant", and use some of its code in
>     Quickbooks.  I declined their offer to 'switch'.
>
>     John Sowden
>     American Sentry Systems, Inc.
>
>
>
>     On 10/16/2017 07:06 PM, Liz wrote:
>
>         On Mon, 16 Oct 2017 06:52:17 -0700 (MST)
>         Nelson <fkjasdhf878 at mailinator.com
>         <mailto:fkjasdhf878 at mailinator.com>> wrote:
>
>             You're getting very defensive here David and your posts
>             are not
>             contributing to this discussion at all.
>
>
>         Gnucash is Gnucash.
>         It isn't a Quicken-to-Gnucash project.
>
>         Yes, we do get many queries about this, but the process once
>         completed
>         is soon forgotten, and while there is much knowledge about
>         this in the
>         mailing lists, Quicken-to-Gnucash is not the main focus of
>         this project.
>
>
>         Nelson, you are free to try and do what you like, except start
>         personal
>         attacks on other contributors.
>
>         Liz, the moderator.
>         (Profanity is also something I heavily discourage)
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