[GNC] Upgrading or starting fresh?

[Jeff]

Just adding to what Adrien has said.
> 1.      Would it be easier to just download the current stable version and
> start fresh (with opening balances) for 2024, keeping the previous
> version/files backed-up and available for informational purposes, and in
> case of a future audit? Can I have two versions running on the same PC
> (Windows 10)?
I recently upgraded my main books from 2.6 to 5.3 (the current stable 
packaged version on Kubuntu Linux).  I had been upgrading along the way 
for testing, but hadn't seen the need to update my actual books as the 
functionality I needed was in 2.6 and working fine.  The main reason I 
upgraded was worried about loosing OS support for such an old program.

I took the upgrade through each major version path, all went very smoothly.

Just do note, that there has been an underlying change somewhere between 
2.6 and 4 with the way GnuCash calculates the total on Invoices and 
Bills, if you use those features.  This has caused some headaches, but i 
now just add a rounding correction line, doesn't look very professional, 
but hopefully somewhere down the track they may go back to the old 
method, just be aware of the change before you jump versions.

Example: (Note I have not tried the specific values here, but this is 
what happens)
1. Add in Line item Costing $100 including GST
2. System Calculates item costs $90.91 excluding GST with a GST of $9.09
3. Shows a TOTAL on the Invoice of $100.01, or $99.99

Note that same can happen if you enter it the other way around, eg 
without GST and get the system to add it.

It is obviously to do with how it rounds the figures.  Just annoying 
when you enter in a single figure, and it shows the figures correct for 
the line item, but then calculates the wrong figure.  Have had it happen 
even with  a single item in the Invoice or Bill, but is more likely to 
happen when there are multiple line items in the Invoice/Bill.

Otherwise the system (at least on Linux, Windows may be different) is as 
rock solid as ever.

Regards,
Jeff.