GnuCash

I have explored many types of software, like, office applications, internet browsers, graphics applications, CAD applications and developer applications. However, I did not really try a financial application till recenlty. Some years back, I downloaded a beta financial package from Microsoft. Before I could find out about the application, the trial period ended and that rendezvous terminated before starting. There was no cost-free financial software then. Further, my engineering background did not help me to learn accounting. So, my pursuit to explore a financial software did not really take off.

A few months back, I read about GnuCash in the net. The software was free to download and to use. I downloaded it immediately and installed the software in my PC. The download file size was small and the installation in my windows was incident free. This program was originally developed to work with Linux. It was later modified to work on other platforms, like Windows. I installed GnuCash in both Windows and Ubuntu (Linux) platforms in my PC.

After installation, I did not know where to start and how to use. I started with “Tutorials and concepts” section of help files in GnuCash. Tutorial was so understandable that I gained knowledge on double entry (contra entry) in quick time. It gave me more knowledge on accounting practices.

First, I started a personal account in GnuCash with the help of a template readily available in it. I started entering data on my current assets and daily expenses. Slowly, I gained confidence. Used split function to enter single invoice with multiple items. It really worked great.

Then, I modified some account (ledger) names to suit my needs. I also started some new accounts also. Then I added other fixed assets like house and investments like stocks. Now, I am regularly using GnuCash as my personal accountant. Though values of my assets may not be accurate due to depreciation/appreciation and changing NAVs, I can view and print report of my credit worthiness at any time.

I am struggling with two functions yet in GnuCash.

• One is integrating GnuCash with online banking. If integrated, one entry will update both online banking and Gnucash simultaneously. Though there is a provision in the software, it does not work for me. I will keep trying. This may be due to non availability of gateway between GnuCash and Online Banking software.
  
• Second is updating stock/fund prices in real time. This is also not working for me.I am updating the values manually at present. Since I have very few stock investments, it is possible to do manually. The frequency of update is monthly, which is not good, considering high volatility of the market. I have to find a solution to this issue too.
  

I would be more happy if these two functions work for me.

GnuCash does not have graphical interface like a commercial financial software. Ease of use is not comparable to commercial software. These two negatives pale against the cost of a commercial software. I really enjoy using it and would recommend to all.

Another step towards Open Source Operating System

I have been using personal computers since early eighties. I was using office computer till mid nineties and was happy using MS Windows, the only Operating System (OS) I knew that time. Later, when I bought a PC for personal use and wanted to upgrade to the latest version of Windows, I got a shock of my life. The upgrade cost me a fortune. I had no other option, but to shell out a good chunk of my savings. From then on, I was on the look out for an alternative OS, which was less costly, if not free. I wanted to switch to Linux few years back, but Linux was not good enough in supporting all my hardware and peripherals. I also did not want to jeopardize the use of my only PC that was productive to me.

I kept updating myself on Linux distros. When Live CD of many distros came into the market, I started testing them. Please click the following link to know my first experience on Live CD of Slax.

http://mohand71.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-foray-into-linux.html

Later, I tried Knoppix and then Ubuntu. Once happy with the performances of different distros, I decided that it was time to actually install a Linux OS in my PC. I did not want to overwrite Windows with Linux for two reasons. One, my DSL modem was not recognized by Linux and internet connection through Linux OS was not possible. Though Ubuntu was found stable, I still wanted to have an alternative to Ubuntu, if something goes wrong. So, the best option for me was to go in for dual boot arrangement and I took it.

I did a search in the net for documents relating to dual boot system with WindowsXP and Ubuntu. The following links really helped me to understand how to install and what precautions I need to take.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

After gaining confidence, I embarked on installation of Ubuntu. My PC had a 160 Gb hard disk with four partitions. The first partition was fully dedicated to Windows. This made my task much easier. I did not have to resize or use Windows partition. My Windows XP was secured without disturbance. I used second partition for Windows applications. I transfered all my data to third partition. I reserved the last partition for Ubuntu and its applications. The size of the last partition was 37 Gb and that was good enough.

I started the installation with Ubuntu Live CD 7.04. I selected and sized “/ (root)”, “/swap” and “/home” mount points. Everything went smooth until the point of installation of GRUB boot loader. It failed with a “fatal error” message. I checked up internet for possible solutions. The default device for boot loader installation was hd(0). I could figure out that this is causing the problem. This could be accessed through advanced options button on a screen after partition selections. I changed this device designation many times and tried installation. Every time, the same error message. It was frustrating. The two links given in third paragraph of this blog did not provide a positive answer. After a few hours of search in the net with Google (my favorite search engine), I landed in a forum site that gave me a solution. Though not sure whether it would work, I tried it. The suggestion was to create another device named “/boot” with 200 Mb size. As suggested, I created one and I directed boot loader installation to this device. The installation went smooth.

Hurrah! it worked and the installation was complete!

Following are synopsis of what to do while making a Ubuntu dual boot installation with Windows already installed:

• If you do not have a separate partition for Windows, back up all your data and be prepared to reinstall Windows, if something goes wrong.

• If a separate partition is already available for Windows, do not touch it, It will make installation easy.

• For Ubuntu installation, you need at least four devices, namely “/”, “/swap”, “/boot” and “/usr or /home”. I sized the devices at 10Gb, 1Gb, 200Mb and 26Gb respectively.
  

My installation was as easy as a windows installation, but for the hick-up with GRUB boot loader. Now, I am a happy owner of a system that can allow me try Open Source software and at the same time not lose any of my previous activities. It is a win-win for me.

PS: I am showing above a screen shot of my Ubuntu desktop. The design in the wall paper was created using Inkscape in Ubuntu. Inkscape was the first application loaded into my Ubuntu other than basic applications loaded from Ubuntu CD. My internet connection in Ubuntu still does not work. My DSL modem works with Windows only. I work around by using windows to download files from internet.