Running Budgets GetReal on multiple computers
Budgets GetReal can be run on as many computers as you wish - provided only one active copy of the database is in use at any time.
Using Budgets Get Real with a USB device can be very useful, because it allows you to take it with your wherever you go. For example you may use a PC at work and a Mac at home, and want to use Budgets Get Real on both. You can do this with a USB device.
Due to the nature of USB hardware you may experience that Budgets Get Real runs slower when opened directly from a USB device. We do not recommend running directly from USB devices. You should install the program files on your computer & copy the latest database to it.
This guide is designed to tell you how best to do this and use Budgets GetReal anywhere with the minimum of hassle.
Setup of your USB device
When working between different computers keeping track of which is the latest database version can be an issue. We suggest you use your USB device to solve this problem + ensuring you always have a backup of all the backup files on all your computers.
We also recommend you use the multiple database interface released in Version 2.02 (Build 037). This guide is based on the use of that interface. The following links may be of use
Configuring to use multiple databases
Using the Multiple databases interface
Protecting your license from disqualification
Create the following folder structure on your USB device:
1. Budgets GetReal/Database folder. You can choose to copy the application files (Win & OSX) and the latest Libray folder. These will be essential if you need to use a new computer.
2. Add your multiUserKey file to the Database folder
3. Create a Client sub-folder (within the Database folder) for separate each database you use.
4. Create a Backups folder within each Clients folder. Ensure it contains your latest backups and the backup created on first registration (usually BGRbackup1000.bak)
Regular backups are required
We will use the USB as a central store of all your backups. You should NOT store the raw database files (BGRdata.vdb) to USB - only the backups created by the program.
Each time you finish working on any computer you must:
1. Create a backup of any changes. This is essential. You must make a backup even if you did not change anything - your database may have been changed by automatic download of system files.
The only exception to this is if your database is read-only. In this case no changes that could effect your license are possible.
Irrespective of this you must make a backup if you will be moving to another computer.
2. Copy the latest backup to the correct Client Backups folder on your USB device. The copied backup file should be numbered one more than the highest numbered file on your USB device.
If you created several backups you may consider copying these - however only the latest (highest numbered) is essential.
Starting to work on a new computer
At this stage we assume that your new computer has all the required program files and Libraries. It is further assumed you have run Budgets GetReal on it before and a database file (BGRdata.vdb) and several backup files exist.
The computer should be configured to use the multiple database file interface (refer to the links above). You will need Version 2.02 (Build 037) - and may need to update to this version (see below). Configuring to use multiple databases
All that is necessary is to use the multiple database file interface to select the latest backup file from your USB device and install a copy of it in the Backups folder of your new computer. Budgets GetReal will automatically open & use this file. Using the Multiple databases interface
You do this as follows:
1. Open Budgets GetReal. Your existing database folders (called “Client” folders) will show. You may only have one Client folder. Select the desired database (Client folder).
2. Select the “Select new client file” option. You will be asked to select a file. Select the latest backup file (i.e highest numbered backup) from your USB device.
3. The display should appear as follows. Ensure you select the “Keep source name” option. This is essential.
4. Proceed to Login. The following confirmation should present.
The confirmation in Step 4 is based on the assumption that your USB device contains all backups and so you will be copying a higher numbered backup file to your current computer. This will ensure that the backup produced on your current computer is the next highest in the sequence.
How this works.
Whenever Budgets GetReal makes a backup it dynamically allocates a reference number based on the contents of the current Backups folder. It looks for all files named BGRBackup.bak and determines the highest integer (1000 or over). It increments this value by one and use this to create the file name.
Provided you always copy the latest backup files to USB, that device will contain a complete set of the backups created on as many computers as you use. Each individual computer will have a limited sub-set of the complete backup set.
Provided you always copy the latest backup file when starting (or resuming) work on a new computer (as detailed above), backups will be created in a continually increasing numbered sequence.
Updating program application files
When starting work on a new computer you may need to force Budgets GetReal to download the latest application & libraries. Depending on your preferences this may not occur immediately. You force this as follows:
1. Open Budgets GetReal and install the latest backup file from USB device as detailed above.
2. Budgets GetReal may automatically upgrade to the latest build. In this case you should see the same Build number when you open the About screen. You need not proceed to Step 3.
3. To ensure you have the latest version simply go to Set & Maintain > Accounts or go to Import a file. These will automatically download the latest Version information.
Having done this close Budgets GetReal without backup.
Reopen Budgets GetReal. Select the “Use existing BGRdata.vdb” option. The program will automatically upgrade to the latest build.
Updating program files on your USB device
You may want to copy the latest program files & libraries to USB so you can use on any new computer without the need for download.
A. The application libraries VXCMD_Macho_MC, VXCMD_Win_MC.dll, libeay32.dll, ssleay32.dll will not change. These are platform specific.
B. The Budgets GetReal application will change with each version (e.g BudgetsGetReal_2.02.app or BudgetsGetReal_2.02.exe). Copy these to avoid unnecessary downloads.
C. The Libraries folder will change with each build (is the same for all platforms). Copy any newly downloaded files to your USB Libraries folder.
D. The Bonus folder can change at any time. Extensions download automatically as required. Copy any recently downloaded files to your USB Bonus folder.
E. The Updater & BrowserCache folders. There is no benefit copying these contents.
