Finance Software Comments & Questions

woozle · 02-08-06, 10:14 AM

Something strange happened to my last thread. Post disappeared and I cant reply to it.
Let me summarize the last post:
Tried 4 Finance Apps- Spb Finance, Cash Organizer, Mastersoft Money & M$ Money 2006.
Cash Organizer is overpowered (for my needs) and cleared/uncleared radio buttons on account view cannot be set to uncleared once they are set to cleared (without editing transactions). Pulldown menu instead of radio button for cleared/uncleared in edit transaction menu. Slow on initial load. Double clicking to open everything is insanity-inspiring.
Spb Finance is also probably overpowered, but completely lacks any sort of cleared/uncleared button in account view! Fast on initial load but slow to pull up from today screen once loaded.
Mastersoft Money was so slow on initial load that it didnt even get a chance.
M$ Money 2006 might be sufficient if it worked with WM5. Cannot delete/cancel transactions. Cannot delete accounts. Probably all WM5 related.

Used SplashMoney on my Palm and really missing it. Getting ready to try Handmark's PocketMoney, despite the fact that I passed it up in favor of SplashMoney on my Palm. Looks to be the closest match to what I'm used to using.

Any comments, suggestions, or warnings?

MetalManCPA · 02-08-06, 02:23 PM

Even though I've used none of the titles you mentioned, here's my thoughts:

I use Pocket Quicken. This is because I use Quicken at home for my main home financing software. The syncing with the X51v gives me what I need when I go mobile - the ability to enter transactions and view past ones. For me, any detailed financial reporting is done with my main Quicken program. If I need a report to go mobile, I print it using Repligo to the X51v.

If you plan on having the PDA be your main (and only) financial software package, Id on't think there is such a thing as overblown. I would want my main home finance software to have enough bells and whistles to be useful.

Just my thoughts.

Denis Khitrov · 02-09-06, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woozle

Spb Finance is also probably overpowered, but completely lacks any sort of cleared/uncleared button in account view! Fast on initial load but slow to pull up from today screen once loaded.

Hi Woozle!

Could you please contact me and explain you needs in more detailes. Then we make take it into account in the future updates. Please use private messages or e-mail to air [at] softspb [dot] com

Thank you!

*Forge42* · 02-09-06, 09:58 AM

I've had several issues with financial software as well. Could you let us know how PocketMoney works? I've tried all the 'regular' finance software as well. CashOrganizer wouldn't sync my budget. SPB Finance claimed that it would sync my budget (one time it did).. but the syncing in general with SPB finance was so terrible that the software was close to unusable (ie - continuous 'looking for changes' and such). I still haven't found a solution that fits my needs: basic account management and budget syncing.

Denis Khitrov · 02-09-06, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge42

SPB Finance claimed that it would sync my budget (one time it did).. but the syncing in general with SPB finance was so terrible that the software was close to unusable (ie - continuous 'looking for changes' and such). I still haven't found a solution that fits my needs: basic account management and budget syncing.

Hi Forge42,

What version of the Spb Finance you were trying? How huge is your database?
Synchronization of the budgets is a very difficult task and we done our best to make it as good as possible. If you having problems with it please contact our support or send message with your questions direclty to me (find contact info in the previous message). We will try to find a reason of the problem and fix bugs if possible.
Thank you!

woozle · 02-09-06, 11:39 PM

PocketMoney is pretty barebones, feature-wise. If it were $12 I would probably buy it, but it costs every bit as much as Cash Organizer!!! No thank you.

So, now it's down to cash organizer and Spb I believe. Spb is lacking the one feature that I want more than anything else... a simple cleared/uncleared checkbox in the registry and edit transaction views!!! Cash Organizer has one, but once you set it to reconciled you cannot click it again to loop in back to unreconciled without editing the transaction or tapping and holding for the menu. This may seem nitpicky, but after years of using SplashMoney and going long intervals without reconciling accounts against statements, I know from experience that that little radio button can save oodles of time.

As far as syncing goes, I don't plan to sync at all. I'm sure that either one of the afforementioned apps will be more than enough for my needs without a desktop app to go with them.

Denis: I my account registries are new and largely empty. I said it before but I don't know that I said it clearly, so I'll say it again. Spb is faster to load than cash organizer, but if both are left to run in the background cash organizer pops up almost instantly if it is clicked on from the today screen plugin. Spb takes a few seconds to come up from the today plugin. The more I mess with it the more I figure it probably won't be that big of a deal, but I prefer to put an account entry in while the clerk is running my card, thus my reason for being nitpicky about a few seconds.

Ultimately, I believe I am going to end up using Spb. The layout is cleaner and IMO more intuitive than Cash Organizers. Someone from tech support told me that the cleared/uncleared checkbox was going to be implemented in a future update. I will just have to bank on it being SOON!

Denis Khitrov · 02-10-06, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woozle

So, now it's down to cash organizer and Spb I believe. Spb is lacking the one feature that I want more than anything else... a simple cleared/uncleared checkbox in the registry and edit transaction views!!! Cash Organizer has one, but once you set it to reconciled you cannot click it again to loop in back to unreconciled without editing the transaction or tapping and holding for the menu. This may seem nitpicky, but after years of using SplashMoney and going long intervals without reconciling accounts against statements, I know from experience that that little radio button can save oodles of time.

As far as syncing goes, I don't plan to sync at all. I'm sure that either one of the afforementioned apps will be more than enough for my needs without a desktop app to go with them.

Denis: I my account registries are new and largely empty. I said it before but I don't know that I said it clearly, so I'll say it again. Spb is faster to load than cash organizer, but if both are left to run in the background cash organizer pops up almost instantly if it is clicked on from the today screen plugin. Spb takes a few seconds to come up from the today plugin. The more I mess with it the more I figure it probably won't be that big of a deal, but I prefer to put an account entry in while the clerk is running my card, thus my reason for being nitpicky about a few seconds.

Ultimately, I believe I am going to end up using Spb. The layout is cleaner and IMO more intuitive than Cash Organizers. Someone from tech support told me that the cleared/uncleared checkbox was going to be implemented in a future update. I will just have to bank on it being SOON!

Hi Woozle,

Thank you for your comments. Current version of Spb Finance allows to mark transation as Unreconciled, Cleared, Reconciled or Void from the transaction context menu (we decided that check box is not enought for this option). So when you will have a time please have a look to the current version. In the new version that will come soon we also added OFX/QFX import/export option that allow users to import data from their banks.

I'm not sure why you have a delay when activating Spb Finance from the today plug-in.

This is possible if Spb Finance is actually closed. For example you have Spb Pocket Plus with active Close Button option and Spb Finance was closed. If Spb Finance is alredy in the memory it should be activate as quick as other applictions do. Anyway if you are interested and have a some time for testing I recomend you to try a recent version or even better to try the current beta (contact me to get a download link) and let us know how it acts with you.

Thanks!

*Forge42* · 02-10-06, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis Khitrov

Hi Forge42,

What version of the Spb Finance you were trying? How huge is your database?
Synchronization of the budgets is a very difficult task and we done our best to make it as good as possible. If you having problems with it please contact our support or send message with your questions direclty to me (find contact info in the previous message). We will try to find a reason of the problem and fix bugs if possible.
Thank you!

Denis:

I am not sure of the version number that I was using. I know that it was the 'latest' version on the SPB website about a month ago. My money database is around 4 MB.

I recently tried to re-install the SPB finance trial to give it another chance, but it tells me that my trial period has expired (from my previous installation, I assume). Is there any way to work around this?

I would love for you to prove to me that SPB Finance is a fantastic program... I would gladly pay for it if it can meet my needs.

Denis Khitrov · 02-10-06, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forge42

Denis:

I am not sure of the version number that I was using. I know that it was the 'latest' version on the SPB website about a month ago. My money database is around 4 MB.

I recently tried to re-install the SPB finance trial to give it another chance, but it tells me that my trial period has expired (from my previous installation, I assume). Is there any way to work around this?

I would love for you to prove to me that SPB Finance is a fantastic program... I would gladly pay for it if it can meet my needs.

Hi Forge42,

Please mail me (air [at] softspb [dot] com) and we will solve the problem with a trial expiration. Then I hope you will tell me how you like the current version and how we can improve it.

Thanks

woozle · 02-10-06, 10:45 AM

I am using the latest version available from Spb's website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis Khitrov

Current version of Spb Finance allows to mark transation as Unreconciled, Cleared, Reconciled or Void from the transaction context menu (we decided that check box is not enought for this option).

I know, but this is slow. I would highly suggest a checkbox/toggle button that goes from unreconciled/cleared/reconciled and back again. That means one tap for cleared, and one tap when checking against your bank statement. Make a mistake and need to mark something as unreconciled? One more tap

Quote:

I'm not sure why you have a delay when activating Spb Finance from the today plug-in.

This is possible if Spb Finance is actually closed. For example you have Spb Pocket Plus with active Close Button option and Spb Finance was closed. If Spb Finance is alredy in the memory it should be activate as quick as other applictions do.

I'm using Magic Button, so I know that the program is running in the background. There is definitely a mild delay, but not a deal-breaker.

Denis Khitrov · 02-10-06, 11:02 AM

Hi woozle,

I've got your mail. Thanks. I see your idea.
Well. Let's try to find a good way of how it may be implemented and leave application desgin consistent. =)

dschebig · 02-10-06, 11:11 AM

undefinedI AGREE WITH ALL YOU SAY EXCEPT I FOUND MSMONEY 2006 TO WORK VERY WELL.

Spb TAKES WAY TO LONG TO SYNC THE DATA. I CAN NOT GET THE MANUFACTURE TO RESPOND TO MY PROBLEMS. I REALY LIKE CASH ORGANIZER BUT WAY TO POWERFUL AND COULD NOT GET IT TO IMPORT JUST THE DATA I WANTED

. SPLASH MONEY ON MY PALM WAS GREAT #1 BUT NOT ON MY DELL.

MASTERSOFT MONEY V6 WILL ONLY ALLOW YOU IN IMPORT FILE (WILL NOT SYNC DATE)

THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO MSMONEY.WORKS GREAT AND IT FREE IF YOU HAVE THE PROGRAM ON YOU DESKTOP.
COOPERTR5@AOL.COM
DENNIS L. SCHEBIG