On 7/18/23 1:07 PM, larry johnston wrote:
Hi,
I did not try to upgrade when I asked this question three years ago.
However my computer is on its last legs so I am trying to decide what to do
when I get the new computer.
We have been using GNUCash 2.6.15 and it has met our needs for our personal
finances. A key feature for us is Phil's YTD report. Per the discussion in
this string his report will not work in more recent versions. As a result I
have a few questions.
Will 2.6.15 run on Windows 11? Can it still be downloaded?
First a direct answer:
I don't know, but I'm sure It doesn't hurt to try. Maybe someone with
Win11 can try installing it to see and report back. (best I have is
access to Win10)
*note, the advice below sounds like a lot of work and reading. It is.
That's the tradeoff when you wait to upgrade. You don't put off the
work, you just scrunch it into 'one shot' later.
-----
Second, about finding the older versions:
You can find it along with all other versions on SourceForge. (the
official location of all GnuCash Downloads)
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gnucash/files/
Click the '(stable)' folder, then the folder for the version you want,
then click the installer you need. ('.exe' in your case)
If you ever need to get back there again - simply go to GnuCash.org and
click the 'More downloads' link in the Download section at the top of
the page. That will take you to: https://gnucash.org/download.phtml
(there is also a Downloads section in the site menu, you can download
'program' or 'documentation' from there)
On that page, scroll to the bottom and choose the link for 'View all
GnuCash downloads' which takes you to the above SourceForge page.
Use this to find any old version. (necessary for your upgrade path
should you take it)
Despite the cutoff of old versions for old operating systems, there is
no hard rule that a *newer* version of GnuCash won't run on say, XP or
Win7, just that the devs don't support it and you are on your own
trying. I've never heard of any issue with old versions of *GnuCash*
running on *newer* operating system versions. (your case)
-----
Third, upgrade path:
Read this over first:
https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/FAQ#Using_Different_Versions.2C_Up_And_Downgrade
With all that out of the way, and understanding it (ask back here on the
list if you have questions) you can proceed.
MAKE BACKUPS! (or at least some sort of copy of your data file in
between *each* upgrade) That way if you have any problems or notice any
sort of data corruption, you can step back and try again.
See this FAQ on Backups:
https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/FAQ#Questions_about_Backups
You may want to backup your 'environment' as well as your data - so
don't skip that section!
(yes, you will need to get familiar with the various file locations to
seamlessly pull this off)
now, to really proceed with the upgrade...
In your case, you would first want to upgrade to the last release of the
2.6.x series, 2.6.21
Then you would step to the last of the 3.x series, then last of 4.x,
then finally the current 5.x release which is 5.3.
Those releases in order would be:
2.6.15 -> 2.6.21 -> 3.11 -> 4.14 -> 5.3
Be sure (as noted in the above FAQ answer) to run Actions > Check &
Repair > Check & Repair All after first opening your file when you do
*each* upgrade. This is important. It should take only a few seconds,
but some data files might take longer. Report back here if you have any
issues.
-----
Fourth, other options:
In a worst case, if you need to upgrade the computer to a new physical
machine running Win11, and 2.6.15 doesn't install or run, you could try
running 2.6.15 in a Virtual Machine. (either running your previous
version of Windows, or Linux) That is a tad bit technical, but not
terribly so these days. It is essentially running the old OS inside an
'app'. There are even ways to migrate your current computer
installation, software, data and all, to a Virtual Machine. I have set
up Virtual Machines (VMs) for several non-techy family members and they
use it with no problems.
If you end up needing that sort of solution, there are several of us
here who can help, even though that isn't specific to GnuCash. (and
there is plenty of help on the web for that too)
Lastly, don't rule that old rustbucket out. It may be possible to
'refresh' it simply by reinstalling Windows, possibly upgrading some
internal hardware, or switching to an appropriate version of Linux.
You'd be amazed how either of those approaches can revitalize aging
hardware to like-new performance. (or better in some cases!)
Does a later version have a report with the same functionality as Phil's
YTD report?
I think Chris answered this, but specifically we'd need Phil's report
(or at least a sample of its output) to know for sure.
To your more detailed question:
Does the current Budget Report give YTD figures?
Yes, using the 'accumulated amounts' option.
Does it show 'Current month vs. Budget'
That is ambiguous, but I'm guessing you want 'current month actual' vs.
'current month budget'. The answer is Yes, *without* 'accumulated
amounts' selected. (how the report normally works - each period is shown
actual, budget, and variance (if selected to) *for that period*.
If you want to see YTD of your Actual vs. YTD of your Budget *as of a
period* that is what the 'accumulated amounts' option is for.
Does it show 'YTD vs. Budget
Yes, as noted above. (not sure how you see this differently)
Does it show 'Current Income & Expense vs. Annual Budget'
Yes. Of course, you need to include those accounts in the report to see
the data just as before.
The old Budget Report could do this with Options > Display > 'Show
column with totals'.
This column is superfluous when using the 'accumulated amounts' if
you're at the end of the budgeting window as the figures should match
the last period, but otherwise, it is very useful to see 'how much room
do I have left' if you are not yet done with that budget. ('year' for
most folks) Here too the 'variance' column is useful.
If we want to access our current files what stages of upgrading do we need
to take?
See above about Upgrade Path
Is it possible for someone who is not that computer savvy to run two
versions of GNUCash on Windows 11?
Yes, see above about Virtual Machines, but be sure to read the FAQ about
Up/Downgrading. There are limits once you go past some versions.
Regards,
Adrien
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