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qfeduchin
March 4th, 2008, 08:57 PM
I haven't thoroughly searched the forum, so apologise if this is already in the pipeline. But here goes.
*I calculate ahead what my auto expenses will be and enter the result in Quicken. For example:
- Example 1: annual re-registration:- In my case, in NSW, Australia using 2007 figures: Registration cost $261 + RTA Safety Inspection Report $30.10 + Compulsory Third Party Insurance $287.02, TOTALLING $578.12 due May 12, 2007.
- Example 2: Next service, major: Estimated $650 due Sept 15, 2008.
- Example 3: New tyres: Estimation $700, probably due Jan 15, 2009.
~~~~~
I calculate each of these out on a fortnightly basis (as I am paid) and enter them in Quicken as an automatic charge against my Current Account; where my income is received; in favour of my Auto Savings Account.
SO, some forward-looking module of VM can usefully do these calculations for us, so that we can enter the resulting figures into our accounting system. Now, I reckon THAT would make VM outstanding!
Currently I don't see a need for VM as I use a spreadsheet (TinySheet) for my fuel, and do my own forward calculations for the accounts system which is on my laptop.
By the way I do NOT need an accounts system on my Palm, as frankly such systems never offer anything like the options of even such a simple system as Quicken Personal Plus, and NEVER integrate properly. I gave up that game years ago. Face it, PDA's are a modern wonder but their tiny screens make some softwares simply stupid. Even the Internet on a PDA is only barely usable for short times, just too irritating.

michael
March 8th, 2008, 07:56 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the great suggestion. I have captured your ideas and we will definitely visit this possibility in a future update of VehicleManager.

BTW, I use Quicken as well on my PC. Are you aware of PocketQuicken (http://landware.com/pocketquicken/palmos/index.html)?

qfeduchin
March 9th, 2008, 04:28 AM
I have indeed looked seriously at Pocket Quicken. Regretfully it integrates easily ONLY with the original USA version of Quicken.

Australian Quicken, although generally similar to the US version, is re-formulated in this country to comply with the local tax calculations and laws. Unfortunately it is sufficiently different as to be impossible to integrate with Pocket Quicken without a great deal of work, and although I gave it a go a couple of years ago it beat me and I gave up.

Having said that, I must repeat that I really do not need an accounting system on the PDA. I boot up my laptop every day and the few transactions that need entering (bearing in mind that I automate many fortnightly and monthly bookkeeping entries) only take a few minutes, maybe twice a week. I wouldn't want to do it on the PDA unless it was really easy, and as mentioned above, it's not.

(By the way I tried US Quicken when I used a Mac for about TWO months in 2006 -- NEVER again: Mac is EXCEEDINGLY irritating hardware using versions of software that are either non-existent [as in Australian Quicken for Mac: doesn't exist!] or so out of whack with Windows versions of almost EVERYTHING, as to offer constant reason for dropping the bloody Mac into a well. Good for graphics? Fine, stick to that niche, leave the rest to Windows and Linux. Are we brainwashed? Bloody right mate! Mac users say 'vive la difference', I say, fine, good luck with your 6% of hardware sales.)

michael
March 9th, 2008, 07:20 AM
Ah. It didn't occur to me you would be using a dfferent version of Quicken, after you mention it though, makes perfect sense.

Good take also on the Mac vs. Windows/Linux.

Nevertheless, we're going to look into your requests, as it would be a great addition to VM.