A good quicken alternative?

[John Corliss]

(clipped)
Indeed, it was not my intention to imply that I would insert the names of
payware titles wily nilly into threads. But there are times when it is
appropriate to mention payware titles. And in my mind, when there is no
functional equivalent freeware is one of them. I think this is an area
where common sense must rule.

So you're saying that when there's no freeware program for a need
you'd recommend a commercial program? Or would you not? You still
haven't really clarified this.
Regardless, when one can't come up with a freeware solution to a
software need in this group, it's better to refrain from commenting.
Somebody else may have such a solution. Otherwise, it's better to
suggest taking up the topic in a more appropriate newsgroup. That way,
the people in that other group benefit from the discussion. Here,
people come to talk about freeware, not commercial software.

I also think there are going to be times when people will disagree on when
it is appropriate, so the level of objection must also be tempered with
common sense. Those who jump up barking whenever a payware title
(especially a Microsoft title) is mentioned are doing no one any favors. In
my opinion, they are restricting the dialogue, not enhancing it.

The dialog *should* be restricted as in staying on-topic. However, as
we both know, discussion of commercial software in order to illustrate
features desired is considered to be acceptable in this group by most.

And let's face it, sometimes freeware titles AREN'T as good as certain
payware titles.

And vice-versa. However, that's irrelevant if a program does enough to
get the job done. Perhaps the OP in this thread should have listed the
features of Quicken that he/she was looking for.

We need to feel free to say that as well. (I'd be happy
to mention a few, if anyone is interested) Constructive criticism,
reasonably presented and supported with examples can only improve the
overall quality of the library of freeware.

That's the way it's pretty much always been. And it's not a bad idea
to email the freeware programmer and make suggestions.

However, if I was somebody new who came here to this group looking for
a freeware program to meet a need I had and somebody suggested a
commercial program instead, I'd tend to think that this group isn't
very helpful and would move on.

 

[Dave Arbok]

The closest alternative is Microsoft Money. Unfortunately, you'll need
several freeware programs to equal the power of these two programs as they
do significantly more than bookkeeping.

Equally unfortunate is the fact that by not using one of them, you lose
access to the online extra features built in to them. .....
To my knowledge no freeware even comes close to the breadth and depth of
Quicken and MS Money. A partial list of Quicken/MS Money functions:

..... feature list snipped
....

All of the above is done in a single user interface environment.

I don't like to see ADS for pay software in this group. Obviously,
the original poster wanted a freeware alternative to Quicken,
otherwise, they would have posted to alt.software.expensive, you did
not offer any freeware software that would help, instead you tried to
guilt trip them into buying Quicken or Money. I don't like that one
bit.

Ok, and so that message isn't only a rant, here is what I do-
I use a spreadsheet in OpenOffice.org Calc to add up my checks, and
predict and document the interest made on my CDs.
Freeware for Windows as well as Linux.

 

[Phred]

However, if I was somebody new who came here to this group looking for
a freeware program to meet a need I had and somebody suggested a
commercial program instead, I'd tend to think that this group isn't
very helpful and would move on.

On the other hand, if somebody new included this group in a request
for a program to achieve certain ends, and didn't give a stuff whether
it was freeware or not because the issue was to get the job done, then
that person would be completely pissed of if someone here responded by
saying "There's no suitable freeware, but I know a commercial program
that would meet your needs -- but I'm not going to tell you what it
is."


Cheers, Phred.

 

[Chrissy Cruiser]

Regardless, when one can't come up with a freeware solution to a
software need in this group, it's better to refrain from commenting.
Somebody else may have such a solution. Otherwise, it's better to
suggest taking up the topic in a more appropriate newsgroup. That way,
the people in that other group benefit from the discussion. Here,
people come to talk about freeware, not commercial software.

Explain then how you can compare a freeware program to a commercial one
(e.g OpenOffice vs MS Office) without discussing both? Your logic is
ridiculous and you need to give it a rest.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

I did read the post. But when did MS Money become freeware?

The poster said the closest alternative to Quicken is MS Money. He did NOT
say that it was freeware.

 

[John Fitzsimons]

Indeed, it was not my intention to imply that I would insert the names of
payware titles wily nilly into threads. But there are times when it is
appropriate to mention payware titles. And in my mind, when there is no
functional equivalent freeware is one of them.

The problem is that just because *you* don't know of freeware to
answer a need it doesn't follow that there isn't any.

I think this is an area
where common sense must rule.

< snip >

Exactly. If one cannot find a freeware solution one goes to a
shareware newsgroup. Not waste everyone's time here with off topic
posts. People generally come to a *freeware* newsgroup for *freeware*.

Regards, John.

 

[John Corliss]

Explain then how you can compare a freeware program to a commercial one
(e.g OpenOffice vs MS Office) without discussing both? Your logic is
ridiculous and you need to give it a rest.

Did you read any of the thread before you posted? I *specifically*
refered to the situation you describe in message
(e-mail address removed), and I copy and paste here:

"Referring to commercial software to illustrate features desired in a
freeware program is generally considered acceptable in this group."

YOU are the one who needs to "give it a rest."

 

[John Corliss]

John Corliss wrote:
[snip]

However, if I was somebody new who came here to this group looking for
a freeware program to meet a need I had and somebody suggested a
commercial program instead, I'd tend to think that this group isn't
very helpful and would move on.

On the other hand, if somebody new included this group in a request
for a program to achieve certain ends, and didn't give a stuff whether
it was freeware or not because the issue was to get the job done,

Then the reply could easily be configured to only appear in the
appropriate group rather than cross-posted into this one.

then that person would be completely pissed of if someone here
responded by saying "There's no suitable freeware, but I know a
commercial program that would meet your needs -- but I'm not going to
tell you what it is."

I never suggested that this should be the response. I said that in the
case of wanting to recommend a non-freeware solution, the replier
should offer to take it to email or better yet, to a more appropriate
newsgroup. The situation you describe would make the latter very easy
to do.

 

[Phred]

John Corliss wrote:
[snip]

However, if I was somebody new who came here to this group looking for
a freeware program to meet a need I had and somebody suggested a
commercial program instead, I'd tend to think that this group isn't
very helpful and would move on.

On the other hand, if somebody new included this group in a request
for a program to achieve certain ends, and didn't give a stuff whether
it was freeware or not because the issue was to get the job done,

Then the reply could easily be configured to only appear in the
appropriate group rather than cross-posted into this one.

then that person would be completely pissed of if someone here
responded by saying "There's no suitable freeware, but I know a
commercial program that would meet your needs -- but I'm not going to
tell you what it is."

I never suggested that this should be the response. I said that in the
case of wanting to recommend a non-freeware solution, the replier
should offer to take it to email or better yet, to a more appropriate
newsgroup. The situation you describe would make the latter very easy
to do.

I agree that discussion should take place in the most appropriate
group; but, if the originator doesn't set a followup, then the initial
replies have to be equally catholic, albeit perhaps with followups set
to the relevant group for *further* discussion if any.

Cheers, Phred.

 

[John Corliss]

John Corliss wrote:
[snip]

However, if I was somebody new who came here to this group looking for
a freeware program to meet a need I had and somebody suggested a
commercial program instead, I'd tend to think that this group isn't
very helpful and would move on.

On the other hand, if somebody new included this group in a request
for a program to achieve certain ends, and didn't give a stuff whether
it was freeware or not because the issue was to get the job done,

Then the reply could easily be configured to only appear in the
appropriate group rather than cross-posted into this one.

then that person would be completely pissed of if someone here
responded by saying "There's no suitable freeware, but I know a
commercial program that would meet your needs -- but I'm not going to
tell you what it is."

I never suggested that this should be the response. I said that in the
case of wanting to recommend a non-freeware solution, the replier
should offer to take it to email or better yet, to a more appropriate
newsgroup. The situation you describe would make the latter very easy
to do.

I agree that discussion should take place in the most appropriate
group; but, if the originator doesn't set a followup, then the initial
replies have to be equally catholic, albeit perhaps with followups set
to the relevant group for *further* discussion if any.

The way I see it, if a person crossposts a request to say, three
groups, then they should expect that somebody is only going to reply
to one of the groups. That being the case, the onus is on the OP to
check each group individually. And THAT being the case, cross posting
any reply unnecessary.

Look, the whole thing revolves around the most fundamental usenet
principle of all.... staying *on topic*.

 

[JunkMonkey]

Ok John, tell me of a free ware equivalent of Quicken. Have you noticed
that no one else has mentioned one? Maybe I do know what I'm talking about.
And Microsoft Money is still the only functional equivalent of Quicken
available.

 

[John H.]

Ok John, tell me of a free ware equivalent of Quicken. Have you noticed
that no one else has mentioned one? Maybe I do know what I'm talking about.
And Microsoft Money is still the only functional equivalent of Quicken
available.

Ding! Wrong! Thank you for playing. Vanna has some lovely parting gifts.

Here are three I can mention.

Money Manager

Panda Money

....and the winner is:

Cash Manager 2.0
http://www.kreatives.org/platform/index.php?section=cashmanager
even has support for Quicken files.


Want a tax preparer a la TurboTax? TaxAct
http://www.taxact.com/products/standard_overview.asp

If you have Excel, there is a guy who wrote a checkbook ledger system
for Excel, and ported it to OpenOffice. I think it's on OOExtras.org

Let the flames begin.

John H. E-mail: (e-mail address removed)
Website: John's Best of FreeWare: WWW.Jhoodsoft.org



John H. E-mail: (e-mail address removed)
Website: John's Best of FreeWare: WWW.Jhoodsoft.org

 

[Box134]

I wish. I don't think either one can download bank transactions or stock
prices. I'd only be too happy if I could find an alternative to Q***ken.

I give it to the JunkMonkey, 115-110.

 

[John Fitzsimons]

Ok John, tell me of a free ware equivalent of Quicken.

< snip >

Why ? Which part of....

"If one cannot find a freeware solution one goes to a
shareware newsgroup."

were you having difficulty understanding ?

 

[Phred]

Phred wrote:
John Corliss wrote:
[snip]

However, if I was somebody new who came here to this group looking for
a freeware program to meet a need I had and somebody suggested a
commercial program instead, I'd tend to think that this group isn't
very helpful and would move on.

On the other hand, if somebody new included this group in a request
for a program to achieve certain ends, and didn't give a stuff whether
it was freeware or not because the issue was to get the job done,

Then the reply could easily be configured to only appear in the
appropriate group rather than cross-posted into this one.

then that person would be completely pissed of if someone here
responded by saying "There's no suitable freeware, but I know a
commercial program that would meet your needs -- but I'm not going to
tell you what it is."

I never suggested that this should be the response. I said that in the
case of wanting to recommend a non-freeware solution, the replier
should offer to take it to email or better yet, to a more appropriate
newsgroup. The situation you describe would make the latter very easy
to do.

I agree that discussion should take place in the most appropriate
group; but, if the originator doesn't set a followup, then the initial
replies have to be equally catholic, albeit perhaps with followups set
to the relevant group for *further* discussion if any.

The way I see it, if a person crossposts a request to say, three
groups, then they should expect that somebody is only going to reply
to one of the groups. That being the case, the onus is on the OP to
check each group individually. And THAT being the case, cross posting
any reply unnecessary.

Look, the whole thing revolves around the most fundamental usenet
principle of all.... staying *on topic*.

Nope. The most fundamental USENET principle of all is *Users helping
users*.

Cheers, Phred.

 

[John Corliss]

Nope. The most fundamental USENET principle of all is *Users helping
users*.

Well, I have to agree that's true. Then perhaps I should have said ONE
of the most fundamental usenet principles.

What amazes me is that some people simply cannot grasp the concept of
the damage that will result to this group if it starts becoming
adulterated with chatter about non-freeware.

What's so hard about taking a commercial software recommendation to a
more appropriate group or to email?

Look, do you want to have a vote on this issue? That can easily be
arranged.

 

[Glenn]

What amazes me is that some people simply cannot grasp the concept of
the damage that will result to this group if it starts becoming
adulterated with chatter about non-freeware.

Look, a poster came here looking for a freeware. He was very specific about
what he wanted it to do. Another poster answered that he didn't believe
there was any freeware that equaled what the first guy wanted. Big deal!!
It was one paragraph!! Talk about chatter. Two guys who sign in as John
have been chattering about it every since, page upon page. Get over it!!
It was an innocent remark of a guy trying to be helpful.

What's so hard about taking a commercial software recommendation to a
more appropriate group or to email?

Because the guy came HERE. Don't drive him away or he'll never come back!!

Look, do you want to have a vote on this issue? That can easily be
arranged.

That would be interesting. What would the question be? Should freedom of
speech be denied there? Glenn

 

[galia]

Hello, Glenn!
You wrote on Thu, 5 Aug 2004 13:46:14 -0500:


G> ??>>
??>> What amazes me is that some people simply cannot grasp the concept of
??>> the damage that will result to this group if it starts becoming
??>> adulterated with chatter about non-freeware.

G> Look, a poster came here looking for a freeware. He was very specific
G> about what he wanted it to do. Another poster answered that he didn't
G> believe there was any freeware that equaled what the first guy wanted.
G> Big deal!! It was one paragraph!! Talk about chatter. Two guys who
G> sign in as John have been chattering about it every since, page upon
G> page. Get over it!! It was an innocent remark of a guy trying to be
G> helpful.
??>>
??>> What's so hard about taking a commercial software recommendation to a
??>> more appropriate group or to email?

G> Because the guy came HERE. Don't drive him away or he'll never come
G> back!!
??>>
??>> Look, do you want to have a vote on this issue? That can easily be
??>> arranged.

G> That would be interesting. What would the question be? Should freedom
G> of speech be denied there? Glenn
??>>
??>> --
??>> Regards from John Corliss
??>> No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware,
??>> nagware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware, viruses
??>> or warez please.

I agree with you Glenn. The whole argument about mentioning shareware in
one paragraph is just ridiculous. Me thinks, rules and regulations are
more important than giving someone sound advice.

 

[Chrissy Cruiser]

Did you read any of the thread before you posted? I *specifically*
refered to the situation you describe in message
(e-mail address removed), and I copy and paste here:

"Referring to commercial software to illustrate features desired in a
freeware program is generally considered acceptable in this group."

Good. Now stop whining every time someone does exactly that.

 

[John Corliss]

And then he went on to recommend a commercial software solution. AND
THAT'S BULLSHIT! PERIOD!

Don't be a smartass, Glenn. You know damned good and well what the
question would be:

"Should commercial programs be recommended in ACF if
there is no freeware available to meet a person's request?"

And here's a little question for you to consider: who is going to
determine when there ISN'T a freeware solution available?

I agree with you Glenn. The whole argument about mentioning shareware

The recommendation was for commercial software products, specifically
Quicken and Microsoft Money, not a shareware product (although
shareware is off topic here too.) And although at first glance it may
appear that JunkMonkey was simply pointing out features desired in
freeware substitutes, it should be remembered that this is the role of
the OP, NOT the respondant. JunkMonkey's post damned near read like an
advertisement for both programs.

in one paragraph is just ridiculous. Me thinks, rules and regulations
are more important than giving someone sound advice.

Both you and Glenn are missing the point entirely. The name of this
group is *ALT.COMP.FREEWARE*. Discussion of any other type of software
in this group (unless when the OP is using it as an example of
features desired in a freeware) simply clutters up the group and makes
it unusable.
If I came here looking for a freeware solution and somebody
recommended a commercial program instead, I'd tell that individual to
FOAD.

Listen, this group has no charter and is unmoderated. Yep, you can
talk about anything you like.... porn, gambling, warez, etc. However,
don't expect to do so and not get flamed.