[GNC] Buying with PayPal - how do I split the transaction?

[David T.]

Dr. Kirkby,

I don't know what you did here, but this is what I see (i.e., nothing) 
in two different mail clients. I can see the info on the list website, 
though.

To respond, it's a bad idea to add references to books that few will 
read (your own story underscores the point), no one will monitor, and no 
one will approve. And my experience with GnuCash and its documentation 
is that information that gets in is very difficult to get back out, and 
sits in circulation for years after its relevance or accuracy.

Further, Section 2.1.4 specifically explains the fundamental aspect of 
double entry accounting thus:

"The accounting equation is the very heart of a/double entry accounting 
system/. For every change in value of one account in the Accounting 
Equation, there must be a balancing change in another. This concept is 
known as the/Principle of Balance/, and is of fundamental importance for 
understanding*|GnuCash|*and other double entry accounting systems. When 
you work with*|GnuCash|*, you will always be concerned with at least 2 
accounts, to keep the accounting equation balanced."

While this may not be as prominently-placed as some may wish, it *does* 
cover the concept concisely and accurately. Other sections explain the 
process of actually entering transactions. It's not clear to me that 
adding yet another layer of information that nobody reads is a solution 
to the problem.

David T.

On 12/15/2022 10:36 AM, Dr. David Kirkby wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Dec 2022 at 05:35, David T. via gnucash-user 
> <gnucash-user at gnucash.org> wrote:
>
>     David,
>
>     I'm not sure what you mean when you say "documentation," but I
>     don't think the Guide or the Help would be appropriate places to
>     make such references. Section 2.1 of the Guide gives a few basic
>     explanations on underlying accounting concepts. This section, in
>     fact, states that "you do not need to have a complete
>     understanding of accounting principles to find it useful." This
>     contradicts what you and Michael want to say. Perhaps a balance in
>     the advice in the Guide could be found, one that reassures the new
>     user that they can effectively use GnuCash, and suggests
>     consulting additional resources on double entry accounting. 
>
>
> It does seem to me that the section starts from the very basics
>
> Equity = Assets - Liabilities
>
> but then doesn’t provide enough information about double entry 
> accounting to make use of the software. If one asks on this mailing 
> list people are generally very helpful, but at least some people feel 
> that they should not need to explain how to do double entry accounting 
> principles. Yet the manual does start like that.
>
> However, if the manual started with “It is assumed that the reader 
> understands double entry accounting “, then 90% of people would just 
> uninstall the software.
>
>
>
>     As for including actual references, I have misgivings. Two huge
>     issues:
>
>     1. Who would decide on the titles that would be sanctioned for
>     inclusion? 
>
>
> Ask people for suggestions. Might I suggest
>
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accounts-Demystified-Astonishingly-Simple-Accounting/dp/1292084847/
>
> It’s in its 7th edition, so it is obviously selling well.  It is not 
> written by an accountant. As someone wrote earlier, the ability to do 
> a job doesn’t imply the ability to teach the job. However, I must 
> admit I do have some reservations about the fact that the author is 
> not a qualified accountant. But the fact it has gone though multiple 
> editions, and sold millions of copies, suggests any significant errors 
> would have been bought to the attention of the author.
>
>
>     2. Who would monitor the literature to ensure that the list was
>     kept up to date?
>
>
> Don’t know
>
>     Once you get into these issues, the idea becomes much more
>     challenging, and I'm not sure it would change anything in the long
>     run. People would just not read those books.
>
>
> Some will, but I have a confession to make about the above book. I 
> bought a copy, read it a little, found it boring, so put it down. I 
> really don’t find the subject that interesting.
>
> Then forget that I had it, so ordered a copy. One day I discovered 
> that I have two copies of the book, although one is an edition 
> previous to the other. 😂😂😂😂 I must make an effort to read it.
>
>     Adding a brief summary about PayPal/Venmo to the Using GnuCash
>     wiki page would at least give people who use these a source they
>     could consult to help set them up. It does seem to come up on the
>     lists somewhat frequently. 
>
>
> There’s no doubt that small businesses, which the software is aimed 
> at, often use PayPal. Large businesses, which is not what the software 
> is suitable for, will rarely accept PayPal.
>
> I think some statements about how to handle fees when selling , as 
> charged by credit card companies, PayPal, Amazon, Alibaba etc would be 
> useful.
>
>
>     ⁣David T. ​
>
>
> Dave.
>
>
> -- 
> Dr. David Kirkby,
> Kirkby Microwave Ltd,
> drkirkby at kirkbymicrowave.co.uk
> https://www.kirkbymicrowave.co.uk/
> Telephone 01621-680100./ +44 1621 680100
>
> Registered in England & Wales, company number 08914892.
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