On Dec 11, 2008, at 1:51 PM, Patrick Burleson wrote: > On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 1:40 PM, Robert <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> So you're saying that a reason that a version of this direct download >> functionality DOES exist with my PC copy of Microsoft Money for my >> two >> banks is that Microsoft's program has a proprietary format they and >> these banks are able to use that is different from the OFX format >> Moneywell relies upon? (just want to make sure I'm clear). I take it, >> then, that there's no incentive for Ing Direct and TD Bank to offer >> OFX in the future if things already work for the majority of users >> the >> other method? :-( >> - Robert > > I think what Kevin is trying to say is Microsoft pays a team of > programmers to have Money fake visiting the site and getting their QIF > file downloads that you could do manually. You need a team for every > time a bank changes their website layout and your code breaks. OFX is > much more convenient for developers because it provides a documented > API and direct way to communicate with the bank.
Patrick is correct except I believe they don't even bother trying to download any files but rather do the same account queries that you'd do when viewing your information on the bank's website and then they strip transaction and account information from the HTTP (web page content) stream. Since Microsoft Money is not the only package out there, they do have incentive to offer OFX if they want to support Quicken and other apps. For me, it's become one of the factors I take into account when picking a bank. I'm very close to dropping ING Direct because they won't let me work the way I want to with my own account information. Peace, Kevin Hoctor [email protected] No Thirst Software LLC http://nothirst.com http://kevinhoctor.blogspot.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "No Thirst Software User Forum" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/no-thirst-software?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
