Introduction to Bank Genie 3 Upgrade Log and brief description of new features
Bank Genie Version 2 Released on 10th Jan 2007
New Features in Bank Genie 2
Full screen display - for all screen resolution settings
Choose your preferred font size - applies to all screens
Predictive text when typing Paid To when adding transactions Previous expense code automatically entered when you choose from the list of previous Payee’s, based on the previous Payee transaction.
Support for QIF files added to the On-line banking program This is a universal standard and is offered by most Banks who allow you to download statements
Auto-code feature added to the On-line banking program When you download and import a statement, the program autocodes the transactions (optional) based on the Expense Codes assigned to previously coded
transactions
You can switch data sources You can make an alternative data source by simply using the Backup Program - BS191 to do a backup of your live data to
another folder (Usually to a Flash Disc) A new program BS026 allows you to operate the SWITCH. In effect, you close the normal database on your computer, and open the other data source. Thus, you can
SWITCH and work directly on the Flash Disc with any computer with Bank Genie installed. Restoring the data from Flash onto the second computer is optional.
Data input programs indicate which data source is in use
Bank Genie Version 3 Released on 11th Jul 2007
This began as an enforced upgrade, due to the introduction of Window Vista by Microsoft, installed by default
on most new computers in 2007. Version 2 did actually work fine with Vista, but data files were virtualised. I considered this to be unsatisfactory and decided to make the software fully compliant with this new
system.
I arrived at a very neat solution, and managed to design the system to be universal - the same CD (or download) will work for all versions of Windows.
The biggest hurdle (entailing major
re-development) was the Vista requirement that data files and programs could not reside in the same folder structure. Data files must be located under the “User” folder umbrella.
Like many developers, Ive
always located data fIles and programs in one central location. It made distribution of a) program updates, and b) data file changes (to Help, Tutrorials, Captions, Language Translations etc) very simple.
I was concerned that Bank Genie 3 users would be unable to locate their own data files (essential when planning backups)
in this new installation. I managed to solve that problem by reworking the programs used to allow you to work with folders
Enhancements to the SWITCH data source feature. A number of advanced
users are now using the SWITCH feature - carrying their Bank Genie data on a Flash disc. I’ve updated the Bank Genie start-up procedure to make the SWITCH on start-up feature fail- safe. Bank Genie 3 will start
up, even if the SWITCH data source (e.g. Flash) is not plugged in, giving you a reminder message and allowing you to gracefully exit the program while you plug in the Flash, or SWITCH to a Bank Genie data source on
the computer.
Finally, I added three more Information Items to the About Bank Genie - BS200 program, giving what I hope you will agree is “total visibility”.
Summary of new Features in Bank Genie 3
Windows Vista Compliant
Bank Genie programs continue to be installed by default in Program files folder structure. (i.e. was already Vista
compliant)
Bank Genie data files relocated under the User folder structure ( a requirement by Windows Vista, but the Bank Genie 3
solution works for all Windows versions)
Other Windows Vista requirements satisfied
The SWITCH database feature refined. This feature (among other things) allows you to transport your data between
computers on Flash disc.
Additional Help topics added. Help Topics -BS002
Additional Help buttons added to programs where your work with folders and data files: Switch databases -BS026 System Backup Folders - BS197 Backup Files -BS191 Restore files -BS193
Additional Information items added to the About Bank Genie - BS200
program, to ensure users know exactly where their programs and data files are located and what data source is in use.
Print buttons in Help screens and in About Bank Genie - BS200
