Hints for making the most of abp version 2.00
=============================================

If you are an existing user of abp version 1.xx, there are a number of improvements
in version 2.00 which you will want to be aware of.  These improvements have been made
based on suggestions from regular abp users: hopefully you'll find some of the new
functionality makes abp better suit your needs.  I have been amazed at the number of
positive comments I have received on the earlier version - hundreds and hundreds of 
them.  If you have comments on this version, good or bad, please feel free to drop me
a line at malbry@ms.com.  I try to answer all queries, time permitting!  Anyway, here
are some (hopefully) useful tips about the new version.

1. Upgrading from abp version 1.xx
----------------------------------

Abp version 2 uses a modified data file format so, first of all, you'll need to convert 
your abp version 1.xx datafile using the supplied program abp1to2.opo.  You can copy 
this program onto any Psion Series 5 directory (for example, c:\documents), it does not
need to reside in c:\system\apps\abp like the main abp program.  The conversion program
will create a new data file for you - for security, it must have a different name from
your original file (you can always rename your new file later if you wish).

When you have installed abp version 2.00 (see instructions in README.TXT) then you are
ready to go.  For a complete inventory of the changes in version 2.00, see the file
CHANGES.TXT.

2. Navigating through your accounts
-----------------------------------

I had many requests to make it easier to move between different accounts.
In this version, you'll see that pressing the Accounts button on the toolbar, or pressing 
ESC or TAB on the keyboard takes you to the Accounts View screen which now shows a
cursor.  You can navigate through your accounts using the cursor keys, then pressing 
ENTER, TAB or ESC will take you to the Transactions View for the account you have 
selected.  Alternatively, tap on the account with your pen to go straight there.

3. Using sub-categories
-----------------------

Although abp version 1.xx would exchange data with Microsoft Money and Quicken using
standard QIF files, this was not as useful as it might have been owing to the lack of
sub-categories in abp.  This is now rectified in version 2.00.  You will find that any
main category or sub-category up to 40 characters long will import into abp with no
trouble and of course will export back again from abp to Money or Quicken.

Sub-categories have the form "maincategory:subcategory" and the advantage of using them
is that when you use the Category Balance view in abp, you'll see that sub-categories are
totalled and shown in bold.  So, for example, you might want to identify your regular bills
as Bills:Electricity, Bills:Gas, Bills:Water and so on.  Then you'll be able to see your
total bills shown in the Category Balance view.

When you enter a new category in version 2.00, you'll be offered the option of entering a
sub-category in addition to the main category.  When you have entered the data, abp just 
concatenates the main category and the sub-category with a period (:) inbetween.  

If you are an existing abp user, you might decide that you want to rename some of
your categories to take advantage of the new sub-category option.  The Update Category 
screen will allow you to rename your existing category to the new format.  For example you
can change from "Gas" to "Bills:Gas".  When you use this option, you'll see that abp will
update all your existing transactions to reflect the new category - this may take a second
or two.

To let you experiment with sub-categories, I have included a file SAMPLE.QIF which has 
been exported from Microsoft Money.  If you want to experiment, then copy this file onto
the Psion in c:\documents.  In abp, use the new file option CTRL+N then import SAMPLE.QIF
using date format DD/MM/YY.

4. Reconciling to Bank Statements
---------------------------------

Some new functionality is available to help this important process.  Firstly, all entries
are shown either as "r" (reconciled) or as "u" (unreconciled).  Normally, tapping a
transaction will edit it.  However, using the "Other Preferences" menu (CTRL+Q), you can 
decide to change this setting so that tapping an item will reconcile it.  If you decide
to use the keyboard, then pressing either "r" or "u" will flip a transaction between 
reconciled or unreconciled status.

If you press the Find button on the toolbar, you'll see that there are new options to
find reconciled items only or unreconciled items only, across all accounts.  If you
select either of these options, you'll find that the Transactions view changes to show the
account instead of the category.  Transactions for the current account are shown in italic
font.  As before, the running total at the top of the screen will update to show the total
of the reconciled items in your currently-selected account.  If you select Unreconciled
items from the Find screen, then as you reconcile each item it will disappear from the
screen, so it gets progressively easier to locate the remaining items.  You may prefer 
to reconcile from this Find view, alternatively you can continue to reconcile from the 
main Transactions view.


5. Using Splits
---------------

Although abp version 1.xx had the ability to record splits, the user interface was not very
friendly or intuitive.  I have tried to improve this in version 2.00.  In particular,
you could not previously edit splits - abp would require you to re-enter them from scratch.
The latest version is much better in this respect, editing a split transaction will prompt
the user to step through the existing splits and modify them where necessary.


I hope you continue to find abp useful.  Feedback is always welcome.


Malcolm Bryant
8 March 1998
email: malbry@ms.com