/Users/you/Library/Preferences/org.gnucash.Gnucash.plist Regards, Adrien
> On Sep 13, 2018, at 10:17 AM, David T. <sunfis...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > John, > > Thanks for the detailed information; out of curiosity, where on a typical Mac > filesystem will this setting be stored? > > David > >> On Sep 13, 2018, at 10:36 AM, John Ralls <jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote: >> >> Adrien, >> >> The new user dialog opens if there’s no file to open and a preference hasn’t >> been set; running the dialog sets the preference. It offers to run the >> NAHSA, the QIF import assistant, or to run a new user tutorial (which >> actually just opens the T&CG at the table of contents). >> >> To see it on your mac, do >> defaults write org.gnucash.Gnucash >> /org/gnucash/dialogs/new-user/first-startup "1" >> /Applications/Gnucash.app/Contents/MacOS/Gnucash --nofile >> >> You might try starting GnuCash with --nofile on your new VM to see if that >> triggers it. If so it means that for some reason gnc_get_file_to_load() is >> returning something besides NULL. >> >> It’s currently not possible to have GnuCash running without an open session >> and accompanying book, even if the book doesn’t even have a root account. >> That leads to having the “save” button lighted and being asked to save when >> there’s nothing to save. >> >> Regards, >> John Ralls >> >> >>> On Sep 13, 2018, at 7:09 AM, Adrien Monteleone >>> <adrien.montele...@lusfiber.net> wrote: >>> >>> Just tested in a Xubuntu 18.04 vm. >>> >>> I got the tip of the day overlaid on the splash screen. I closed the tip >>> dialog, the splash screen disappeared and the main GnuCash window appeared. >>> >>> It’s blank save for the menu and two buttons, one to save the current file >>> and one to close the currently active page. (whatever that means) >>> >>> Here’s a screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/HIitCFN >>> >>> I didn’t think an actual book exists here, but the title bar does say >>> ‘unsaved book’ at the top. >>> >>> Clicking the “Close the currently active page” button does nothing. >>> (perhaps because there is no currently active page) >>> >>> Clicking the “Save File” button brings up a save file dialog. Completing >>> this saves the file, changes the title bar to now say, in this case, >>> ’test.gnucash - Gnucash’ but otherwise does nothing. The NAHSA doesn’t run. >>> There’s zero indication what the user is supposed to do at this point. >>> >>> So if there is supposed to be a ‘Welcome’ screen to guide the user on >>> getting started, it isn’t firing. Is this new for 3.x? >>> >>> Note, this test was done using 2.6.19-1 which was in the bionic repos so >>> I’m not going to file a bug on this, but I’ll next build a fresh copy of >>> 3.2 and see what happens. >>> >>> Regards, >>> Adrien >>> >>>> On Sep 13, 2018, at 8:36 AM, Adrien Monteleone >>>> <adrien.montele...@lusfiber.net> wrote: >>>> >>>> There’s a “Welcome to GnuCash!” screen? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. >>>> I’m going to test in a vm and see what happens. >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> Adrien >>>> >>>>> On Sep 13, 2018, at 8:33 AM, David T. <sunfis...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Adrien, >>>>> >>>>> I just tried using a new login on my Mac to run a newly-downloaded copy >>>>> of GnuCash, and I also found myself staring at a blank screen after >>>>> startup. >>>>> >>>>> Having just worked on the documentation for the “Welcome to GnuCash!” >>>>> screen, I am curious to know *when* that screen actually runs? Does >>>>> GnuCash have some hidden element that knows that it has been run on any >>>>> login of my Mac, or is this aspect broken? Seems a shame to have a >>>>> welcome mat at the front door, and then have everyone use the service >>>>> entrance. >>>>> >>>>> David >>>>> >>>>>> On Sep 13, 2018, at 8:53 AM, Adrien Monteleone >>>>>> <adrien.montele...@lusfiber.net> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> I was going to mention this in my reply to David Cousens but didn’t want >>>>>> to hijack the thread. >>>>>> >>>>>> The greatest source of confusion I’ve seen from new users personally is >>>>>> the blank screen you see on first run with no indication what to do >>>>>> next. (unless this has changed with 3.x, I haven’t started a ‘fresh’ >>>>>> copy of GnuCash in some time) >>>>>> >>>>>> Perhaps if this screen offered buttons for “Open existing book” or >>>>>> “Create new book” that then launches the appropriate assistant(s) could >>>>>> work well here. >>>>>> >>>>>> Does this fall in line with what you mentioned about ‘first screen’ or >>>>>> was that the ‘first screen of the assistant’? >>>>>> >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> Adrien >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sep 13, 2018, at 7:41 AM, D <sunfis...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hello, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Having raised yet another ruckus on the lists regarding documentation, >>>>>>> I will back off altogether, and work to write documentation on the >>>>>>> assistant as it is, taking care to balance the needs of the different >>>>>>> user groups. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My only final comment is to note that it is unfortunate that this >>>>>>> assistant is what all users see when they click File->New. Perhaps the >>>>>>> idea of adding buttons on the first screen for Business and Personal >>>>>>> setup (along with a modification in sequencing for the latter option) >>>>>>> could be implemented with minor developer effort? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I have a greater appreciation for the many different perspectives in >>>>>>> the community, and thank everyone for their input. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> David >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On September 13, 2018, at 8:10 AM, Adrien Monteleone >>>>>>> <adrien.montele...@lusfiber.net> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> David, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I agree on all points. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Regards, >>>>>>> Adrien >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Sep 12, 2018, at 10:19 PM, David Cousens <davidcous...@bigpond.com> >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Adrien, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> While I agree with the concept David T is proposing to streamline the >>>>>>>> process for new users and the thrust of your >>>>>>>> comments about the new user experience, the new account heirarchy at >>>>>>>> least as it is currently implemented, will be used >>>>>>>> by anyone creating a new set of books, whether they are experienced >>>>>>>> Gnucash users, experienced accountants, total >>>>>>>> newbies or someone transferring from another program. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> As a newbie you can get a perfectly usable set of accounts for >>>>>>>> exploring Gnucash by simply clicking Next through the >>>>>>>> assistant then Apply and then saving the file. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Perhaps this needs to be made clearer to new users as well as >>>>>>>> informing them that any choices they make can be changed >>>>>>>> later (except for the very few cases where this is not possible - I >>>>>>>> can't think of any but I personally don't currently >>>>>>>> use the full capabilty set of GnuCash's features but I used more in >>>>>>>> the past). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> If this was done up front, they could then easily skip through. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The suggestion John made of creating a simplified new file option with >>>>>>>> defaults based on the locale and an advanced >>>>>>>> setup option using the NAHS Assistant seems to meet this need as well. >>>>>>>> Even knowing what you want in a CoA requires a >>>>>>>> fair understanding of your accounting needs as well as the >>>>>>>> functionality of GnuCash. Alternatively in other posts I >>>>>>>> think both Frank and I have suggested a checkbox which by default >>>>>>>> disables selecting those options which a new user is >>>>>>>> going to find confusing and provides default values. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I would have thought the CoA setup is not too bad. It comes with the >>>>>>>> common accounts selected, it does perhaps give the >>>>>>>> new user a view that there is a lot more to explore. Some new users >>>>>>>> will be looking for business functionality and other >>>>>>>> "advanced " functionality from the get go. There will always be a few >>>>>>>> new users who will be confused by having to start >>>>>>>> the program. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Personally when evaluating software, I jump in without reading manuals >>>>>>>> first because I figure if the interface isn't >>>>>>>> intuitive to a decent extent, I am not going to want to go too much >>>>>>>> further, unless I really have no other option. >>>>>>>> Intuitive for an experienced computer user can however be very >>>>>>>> different for someone with limited experience. My wife >>>>>>>> never reads manuals ever, she just asks me. I on the other hand >>>>>>>> consult my 5 year old grand daughter. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I share Mechtilde's concern that in making things easier for the new >>>>>>>> user we don't lose functionality for the >>>>>>>> experienced user. We should hopefully look for mechanisms for doing >>>>>>>> both. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> David Cousens >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Wed, 2018-09-12 at 10:33 -0500, Adrien Monteleone wrote: >>>>>>>>> As someone who has helped other people get started using GnuCash (and >>>>>>>>> remembering my own first steps) I agree >>>>>>>>> completely with these points. Those book preferences are not self >>>>>>>>> explanatory. (perhaps bugs in their own right) A new >>>>>>>>> user is left to either trust the defaults and move on, pause and >>>>>>>>> revisit the startup process several times while they >>>>>>>>> track down help info and digest it, or give up in frustration. (I’ve >>>>>>>>> seen the latter three times—you may or not be >>>>>>>>> surprised how many people do *not* want to read a book before they >>>>>>>>> start using a piece of software, I chose the second >>>>>>>>> option personally) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Unless the startup assistant (wizard, druid, whatever) can be >>>>>>>>> redesigned as an explanatory walk through to choose >>>>>>>>> these settings, that part should be removed and the defaults chosen >>>>>>>>> for the user. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> As for trading accounts, I turned them on after the fact for tracking >>>>>>>>> commodities as additional currencies. I’ve never >>>>>>>>> bought or sold any since doing that, but I’ve played with turning the >>>>>>>>> setting on and off to experiment with the >>>>>>>>> setting’s effect on some reports and I’ve never noticed any issues. >>>>>>>>> (but again, I only have opening balance >>>>>>>>> transactions in each currency) If turning Trading Accounts off after >>>>>>>>> entering buy/sell transactions is bad news, then >>>>>>>>> I would think the option to do so should be disabled. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Regards, >>>>>>>>> Adrien >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Sep 12, 2018, at 9:38 AM, David T. via gnucash-devel >>>>>>>>>> <gnucash-devel@gnucash.org> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hello, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> As I begin the process of migrating text from the Help to the Guide >>>>>>>>>> (cf. Bug 796855), I am working on the Help >>>>>>>>>> information regarding the New Account Hierarchy Setup (NAHS) >>>>>>>>>> assistant, and I have a couple of questions about the >>>>>>>>>> second screen of the assistant, the “New Book Options” screen. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> First off, while I respect the intent to allow users the option to >>>>>>>>>> set these preferences from the creation of their >>>>>>>>>> file, I wonder whether this is misguided. To wit: all of these >>>>>>>>>> options are quite technical in nature, and all of >>>>>>>>>> them can be set at a later point by opening the appropriate >>>>>>>>>> preferences. Adding these options here adds complexity >>>>>>>>>> that can easily be deferred to a later point. While it is true that >>>>>>>>>> this assistant runs whenever a user chooses >>>>>>>>>> File->New (meaning that an experienced user might wish to add these >>>>>>>>>> settings from the assistant), I am willing to >>>>>>>>>> hazard a guess that most users will invoke this assistant *only* >>>>>>>>>> when they first start using GnuCash, and *only* >>>>>>>>>> when their heads are already swimming with the overwhelming >>>>>>>>>> experience that is GnuCash. Asking a new user to choose >>>>>>>>>> whether to use Trading Accounts or to Use Split Action Field for >>>>>>>>>> Number is IMHO pointless. They aren’t going to be >>>>>>>>>> able to make an informed decision. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> <aside>I’ll note that this becomes an obvious issue when I attempt >>>>>>>>>> to write the help section for the screen. I am >>>>>>>>>> left either with writing a huge explanatory section on the details >>>>>>>>>> of each of these settings, which detracts from >>>>>>>>>> the flow of the NAHS narrative, or with adding a generic note that >>>>>>>>>> advises users to accept the defaults and read >>>>>>>>>> about the details in other sections of the Guide.</aside> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> So, for the new user, the only real effect of this screen is to >>>>>>>>>> introduce confusion and questions. Can it be removed >>>>>>>>>> from the assistant? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Related to this screen, my second question has to do with the “Use >>>>>>>>>> Trading Accounts” setting. Can it be turned off >>>>>>>>>> once it has been enabled in a given GnuCash file? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> ISTR that this option is a one-way street—i.e., that, once turned >>>>>>>>>> on, it can not be turned off again. Is this still >>>>>>>>>> the case? If it is still true, then I would strongly suggest that >>>>>>>>>> this option shouldn’t be placed on the NAHS >>>>>>>>>> Assistant, since a new user won’t be aware of this. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> David >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>> gnucash-devel mailing list >>>>>>>>>> gnucash-devel@gnucash.org >>>>>>>>>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>> gnucash-devel mailing list >>>>>>>>> gnucash-devel@gnucash.org >>>>>>>>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> gnucash-devel mailing list >>>>>>> gnucash-devel@gnucash.org >>>>>>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> gnucash-devel mailing list >>>>>> gnucash-devel@gnucash.org >>>>>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> gnucash-devel mailing list >>> gnucash-devel@gnucash.org >>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel >> >> _______________________________________________ >> gnucash-devel mailing list >> gnucash-devel@gnucash.org >> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel > > _______________________________________________ gnucash-devel mailing list gnucash-devel@gnucash.org https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-devel
