Changes Included in Version 2.01 - Aug 26, 2008
Version 2.01 (Build 032) includes some significant enhancements. We suggest all users update to this build.
1. Automatic download of latest versions
Version 1.01 comprised a single program file of around 5MB that required replacing whenever a new build was released. Version 2.01 now consists of a small Kernel application and many digitally signed Libraries that are individually and automatically updated to the latest build as required.
The benefit is that updates will be easier and we can release additional features, currently in development, automatically to you.
2. “Future-proofing” your database backups.
The new Library structure maintains both forward and backward compatibility of your database from Build 032. It does this in a way that always ensures that older databases can be opened and used without requiring update to the latest version.
The benefit is, particularly for Business users, that you can open any archive without requiring to update to the latest version. So if you want to look at a document created with Build 032 in 7 years from now, say for taxation reasons, Budgets GetReal will download any old libraries you may require and open your database with Build 032.
Accountants can work on any database file sent to them, confident that any changes they make will always work when the file is re-opened on their Clients computer.
3. Free tools and support for your Accountant
Version 2.01 provides support for tools we will be providing FREE to registered Accounting and Bookeeping practices. Our aim is to reduce your costs two ways - in the time you personally take to run Budgets GetReal and the costs for any accounting services you may require.
Registered users will be provided details of this program, by email, in the near future. Look out for an email titled “Tell your Accountant where to go”
4. Cash Wallets now allow for full recording of “Cash In-Hand receipts”
5. The Transaction Register now allows to you to change the date of imported transactions
The originally imported date is maintained and can be reverted to at any time. This extension was necessary because a few banks sometimes record different dates on their printed statements from that provided in download files. This allows you to simply change the dates and manually reconcile the Register to the printed statements.
6. The Transaction Register now allows you to add one-off transactions
An Audit trail of these entries is maintained and they may be reversed at any time. There are no documented cases where this has been required. It has been provided as a “fail-safe” against possible format changes in bank statements. USE ONLY AS A LAST RESORT !!
7. A “CUSTOM” date import facility has been included
This allows to get around the problem that some banks do not use computer compatible date formats in statements e.g. “23 Janu , 2008″. Also allows you to customise the names of used for months. Provides a simple way to import monthly statements where the date consists only of the month and day.
8. The Import Wizard has been extended to notify you of any Templates applicable to your institution.
9. Extended in-program Help resources.
The HELP button [?] now allows direct access to the Introduction Video and the Budgets GetReal web site resources. Use the In-Program Help for quick contextual help. Use the Web based resources for the latest help + FAQs, user guides etc.
10. The manual entry of dates has been made more flexible
Budgets GetReal requires dates entered at search screens to be in the short date format set for your computer. Originally only numbers and the correct date delimiter were accepted. Now you can enter numbers and any of the common date delimiters (i.e , . or /) and your entry will be converted to the correct short date format.
11. A database access log has been added
File “ActionLog.txt” within your “Database” folder now records the major events - opening and close of database, backups and restore.
12. Names can now be actioned by double-click
13. Some minor errors have been rectified
Incorrect screen rendering preventing more than 5 Jobs being entered. There is no limit on the number of Jobs that can be used.
The Reconcile button did not always show with Manual entry. Transactions, did however, always process and display correctly.
Changes Included In Build 031 - Feb 13, 2008
Build 031 includes some significant enhancements. We suggest all users update to this build.
1. A Password Vault facility was added and is accessed under the Extensions sub-menu and from Import file screens. The Vault provides for multiple keychains each able to securely store log-in usernames, passwords and other related information.
No more having to worry about remembering lists of passwords. Vault allows you to copy and paste the details directly to your web browser when you log-in to your bank. No chance of your passwords being exposed to virus programs that record your keystrokes. For more details …
2. Support for automatic statement download was added. This provides support for plug-in extensions which securely communicate with your bank using the secure SSL protocol, automatically download your latest transactions and then import and categorise these.
A plug-in extension to support the download from OFX compliant financial institutions in the USA and Canada is in final testing.
3. Extended Business Pack reporting was added. This will automatically download and install for users with Build b026 and above. Allows to tailor and preview the printing of reports. Also provides a utility to bulk update selected transactions with default business codes. For more details …
Changes Prior to Build 031
Build 030 (Dec 7, 2007) adds further minor refinements to Build 028 as follows.
1. Opening multiple application instances now prevented on Windows
2. Additional help for Firewalls and related connection issues
3. Improved caps-lock and num-lock support for date entry
Build 029 (Nov 27, 2007) adds minor refinements to Build 028. It adds additional features for reporting configuration errors during import.
Build 028 (Nov 20, 2007) includes some significant enhancements.
1.A Manual Entry facility was added and is accessed under the Transactions sub-menu. This provides a simple way to quickly enter transactions from printed statements when no import file exists.Transactions are entered within defined date ranges matching your statement pages.
Manually defined date ranges cannot overlap and cannot conflict with the dates of currently imported transactions. This ensures that duplicates are not created. Similarly you cannot import a file where some transation dates may conflict with the date ranges of manually entered transactions. For more details….
2. When Budgets GetReal encounters a configuration error during import, it now provides the option to view exactly how the file is being recognised. You may then immediately change the configuration and re-run the import. This applies to CSV and QIF formats only.
3. There have been some infrequent problems during Registration caused by Firewalls and related connection issues. Build 028 incorporates automatic connection retry during Registration with extended help on these connection issues. A connection log is now generated until the program successfully registers
Build 027 included minor enhancements only
1. The creation and modification of Names has been simplified by the addition of “Create & Use” and “Modify & Use” buttons. Previously it was necessary to create the name, select it from the list of names, and then “Use” the name. This new method allows you to Create and Use in one step.
2. Easy Setup guide has been significantly extended for Business Pack users. Video Tutorials will now form part of this guide as these become available.
3. Bonus applications (under Extensions section of sidebar menu) now automatically download if unavailable (or superseded). The latest version is always made available for your use.
4. Registration serial numbers & passwords are now cut & pasteable.
Build 026 included extensive extensions for Budgets GetReal Business edition. These entailed no visible interface change to non-Business users. The following improvements were made in all versions:
1. Certain restrictions in the Import Parser were removed to better allow import of non-english characters like German umlauts. Characters in ASCII range 129 - 255 import correctly but render in accordance with your system font settings.
2. Import Parser now also allows to exclude a specified number of lines from the end of the import files (column formats only).
3. Prior to this build, dates may report differently if imported in one time-zone but reported in another. This restriction will continue to apply to databases created with Build 025 or before. With Build 026 imported statement dates are stored as seconds from a fixed GMT reference. The results can be displayed in any time-zone and the dates shown on the statement will be correctly reported.
4. Jobs card reformatted for better appearance on XP
5. Printing added to a number of Reports screens
6. Relaxed restriction on search fields that “Date To” must be after “Date From”. These can now be the same.
Build 025 Minor improvements to interface with the significantly updated Cash Commitments module. The Operation Monitor has been streamlined so that reminders for specific payments/ deposits now display within Cash Commitments.Transfers (Budget rule summary) are now editable + extended searches to assist in budgeting mortgage and other loan repayments
Build 024 FreeTrial users no longer need register until transactions need import (New). Provided additional help on updating from FreeTrial version (New). Additional assistance for browser launch issues with FireFox on Windows (New)
Build 023 Minor improvements
Build 022 Integrated updates of free trial version with web site. New.
Build 021 Extended Statements Imports & Registration for limited free trial versions. New.
Build 020 Minor improvement to TCP socket performance
Build 019 Managed application download to Updater folder. New.
Build 018 First public release
