[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Ubuntu Linux, Day 25: Tracking Personal Finances here

[AndreCostaubn4]

I thought Linux users didn't have any money, thats why they use free stuff only. I guess you are experiencing the results of freeness on Linux.

[linuxrants7xpg]

Hm, speaking for myself, I use Mint.

[BenjaminTangjxpr]

Quicken is practically the only thing that keeps me from ditching MS Windows -- and migrating to either Ubuntu or even the cloud itself. Sigh.

[HeWhoE]

@AndreCostaubn4, the word free, in the context of the phrase "free software", has nothing to do with cost. The free refers to freedom rather than price.

Software that is free (as in freedom) must meet these four criteria:

0) Freedom to use the software as you wish.

1) Freedom to study how the program works, and to make modifications to it if you wish.

2) Freedom to sell or share exact copies of the software.

3) Freedom to sell or share your modified versions with others, so long as you keep the four freedoms intact.

[waldojim]

Quote

When I tried to shut down GnuCash by clicking on the 'X', nothing happened. It minimized just fine, but would not shut down. Normally I would use the Windows Task Manager to kill the stubborn software, but I am not sure what the Ubuntu Linux equivalent of Task Manager is, so I'll leaving it running for now.

The answer to that is xkill in a command prompt, type it in, the cursor changes to a skull and crossbones. Just click on what you want to kill.

[KilianKlaibereoh6]

The reviewer is extremely sloppy. I just installed GnuCash. The first thing I read in the software centre is that it can import QFX files. I check the "file"-"import" dialog in GnuCash and low and behold it shows me: GFX!?

I can't believe how sloppy this reviewer is. I want to recommend anyone reading this not to pay any attention to this person;-) This person does not test the software he reviews.

[algotechie]

@KilianKlaibereoh6 Does it show QFX as well?

[KilianKlaibereoh6]

@algotechie It shows import QFX.

[KilianKlaibereoh6]

I think we should really create a prize for the most incompetent software review of the year. If you want to know anything about GnuCash than read the entry in the ubuntu software centre. You will find out more about GnuCash than after reading this "review".

The Golden Raspberry Award for the most incompetent and sloppy software reviewer goes to....Tony Bradley! Applause!

[obviocapitao]

I'm following this series of articles since day 1.

I thought it would be a sincere experience from a user that would like to try Linux in the desktop.

But it is clear that the reviewer is just looking for problems, not solutions.

We live in a web world, and he insists on document-based solutions, like Word and Quicken.

Word is easily replaced, because nowadays most of the work is done in the web: just fill in a form and publish your article! "Ah, but I need to collaborate". No problem! Web collaboration tools, like wikis, are commonplace, and everyone knows how to use them.

(The history of wikis dates from 1994, when Ward Cunningham invented the concept and gave it its name.)

But the reviewer refuses change -- he lives in a Microsoft world and doesn't want to change. The message is clear: "I want to use my computer the way I used in 1995".

Conclusion: this is a very poor review, from someone who doesn't want to try new (and better) ways to solve his old problems.

[waldojim]

obviocapitao, on 26 June 2011 - 12:54 AM, said:

I'm following this series of articles since day 1.

I thought it would be a sincere experience from a user that would like to try Linux in the desktop.

But it is clear that the reviewer is just looking for problems, not solutions.

We live in a web world, and he insists on document-based solutions, like Word and Quicken.

Word is easily replaced, because nowadays most of the work is done in the web: just fill in a form and publish your article! "Ah, but I need to collaborate". No problem! Web collaboration tools, like wikis, are commonplace, and everyone knows how to use them.

Word is used in nearly every business. Get over it. Business hasn't moved on to internet based documents for three very good reasons.
1. Compatibility with the documents they already have. No - ALMOST isn't good enough, as in it ALMOST gets the formatting correct.
2. Bandwidth. Businesses pay dearly for bandwidth, they intend to get the most out of it. Web based applications consume much more bandwidth.
3. 99.999% uptime. Google Docs, and Gmail have been down for hours more than once. Businesses cannot take that sort of impact.

Quote

(The history of wikis dates from 1994, when Ward Cunningham invented the concept and gave it its name.)

But the reviewer refuses change -- he lives in a Microsoft world and doesn't want to change. The message is clear: "I want to use my computer the way I used in 1995".

Conclusion: this is a very poor review, from someone who doesn't want to try new (and better) ways to solve his old problems.

He is using what works, again, get over it. If he WORKS in a Microsoft world, then he has to deal with that. Or do you not understand that time is money, and time wasted trying to make free crap work costs more than paying for WORKING materials - like Word?

[dm3199udd]

@obviocapitao So you're saying if you want to use linux, be prepared to do everything in the cloud - because the only decent application linux has is firefox?!

Actually, I have issues with the cloud - there are times to use it, but I think keeping a close eye on your finances is most safely done on your PC.

[waldojim]

OK, after installing GNUCash, I see where the issue is.
http://img845.images...creenshotev.png

This is the welcome screen, and probably threw him off. I know it would me too, if I was presented the option to either import an outdated format OR make a new database.

Tony, had you hit cancel, and then selected no (as in, don't ever show me this stupid welcome screen again), then there is an actual import option under File that will allow a QFX import. Now will that fix the other problems? I don't know. I doubt it, but I am not in a position to comment, as I don't use these things.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 26 June 2011 - 01:28 AM

[algotechie]

Regardless the startup wizard, it's wrong to write "all my data is in QFX format which neither program can import". The wizards don't always present all the options. When you're reviewing a product, at least click on its menu entries; just because it presented to you a simplified wizard doesn't mean that's all it's got.

[orionds]

Actually, the reviewer's experience is very much like that of any other new user of Ubuntu. 30 days is a very ambitious and inadequate time frame to give an operating system a fair review.

First, to close the offending program, go to System - Administration - System Monitor - Processes. Select the process, in this case GnuCash, and click end process. Or, better still, right click GnuCash and you can choose from stop process, kill process or end process, kill being the most "powerful" of the three.

Linux users don't expect Linux software, in general, to be on a par with the best Windows programs, like Quicken. I have no figures but I expect GnuCash to have had a much shorter history than Quicken. Quicken in its early days was simpler too with less functionality. It's kind of like the Koreans trying to catch up to the Japanese in technology (and they're pretty close now).

If we consider the number of years most users have spent using Windows, 30 days to make a judgement or rather to get to really know an operating system as deeply as most users know Windows is unfair.

However, 30 days is already much longer than other reviews. The problem is, in most cases, reviewers stop using Ubuntu after the review, so there is no chance for a fair comparison or judgement based on regular use.

It's like testing a car which is great when brand new and end up getting a "Car of the Year" award but with age, this super car gobbles up time and expense with repairs and breakdowns, while other so-called lesser cars stand up to the test of time running like new and faithfully.

[KilianKlaibereoh6]

@algotechie "Regardless the startup wizard, it's wrong to write "all my data is in QFX format which neither program can import"

That's right but the "reviewer" never looked beyond the startup wizard. He should have reviewed the wizard not the program;-)

By the way, I just installed KMyMoney in order to find out whether you can import OFX files. Well? Yes! File - import OFX. QFX is a version of the OFX file format! How long did it take me to install KMyMoney and check?! Less than 5 minutes! That is the maximum amount of time the "reviewer" spent with reviewing these programs;-)

By the way, I have never used any of these programs;-)

[KilianKlaibereoh6]

Well, for anybody interested in finance programs on linux. Here's an additional one, HomeBank

"HomeBank is a fast, simple and easy to use program to manage your accounts. It differs from gnucash for the better look and feel, and for the greatest start-up speed. It has a lot of features such as easy analysis with graphical charts (statistics, budget, overdrawn, car cost), multi-accounts support, budget management, reminder, import from OFX/QFX-CSV files, visual status of operations. It is based on GTK2."

I just installed it and it looks nice. I checked File-import and what does it say? QFX!? Wow! I would be glad to write a review about finance software under linux as a complete novice;-) How much do I get payed by PCworld?

[JeanChicoinecx10]

@AndreCostaubn4, and I guess with your comment we're experiencing the result of ignorance on the web.
See HeWhoE for an explanation of what the word free means in the Linux world.
@waldojim, referring to Linux software as crap ("free crap work") is factually inaccurate. But hey, tons of people are totally close-minded and that is factually accurate.

[KilianKlaibereoh6]

For anyone interested in personal finance under linux, please check out this review by Jack Wallen.

http://www.techrepub...ncial-tools/372

This review is just crap;-)