Posted by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 3:28pm
Msg #241180

Accounting software

I am currently using Quickbooks Pro but they are intrusive and constantly trying to sell me additionaly stuff. Now they tell me that I have to upgrade to 2008 becasue my 2005 will no longer be supported. I don't need the support. C'mon double enty bookkeeping was created by a monk in the middle ages, it just doesn't change that much. Before I got my Quickbooks Pro I used Peach Tree for many years (I finally had to give up my DOS machine because of lack of parts) but I couldn't use my DOS version anymore on more modern machines. Anyone have any suggestions for a good accouting program that doesn't require all kinds of additional products to make it work: I'm about ready to make my own in Excel. I need to be able to have a number of accounts and companies so any suggestions out there? I realize that I may be a dinosaur but I still write my checks by hand and I don't need payroll (I have a service for that) so I can get by with something more basic.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/28/08 3:45pm
Msg #241182

Charles, funny you post this today. I had my computer guy here yesterday because I could not open Quickbooks on my computer. It also is the 2005 version. All of a sudden it just won't open. It just locks up. We uninstalled 05 and re-installed it. Still did not work. Something with flash player. It wants version 7 and all that will install is 9. Don't have any idea why this all of a sudden after 3 years using it.

I also called my accountant. I was told I had to upgrade to 08 by May 1. I was also told that I could continue to use 05 IF (big if) I didn't use the payroll feature. But, it still won't open. I went today and bought the simple start 2008. I haven't installed it yet, so I will let you know. My understanding is if you don't use payroll, you don't have to upgrade.
I do use the payroll feature because my husbands business is on there also and I do payroll for him. So, I had to upgrade. I want to continue using Quick books because I have used it since 2002 for another company and all the files are there. I started my company within the same program. I think you can set up 3 different companies.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 3/28/08 4:02pm
Msg #241185

link to 7.0 install

http://www.poly-carb.com/install_FLASH/download.html

I have been trying to install QB Pro 05 on a different computer myself, and am having problems.

I am looking forward to hearing all responses from the peanut gallery.

Reply by Julie/IL on 3/28/08 4:12pm
Msg #241186

Re: link to 7.0 install

I just bought Peachtree Pro Accounting 2008. It took me a minute to figure it out, but they offer 30 days of support for free. Granted, there are some things in there that I won't use or don't need, but you can set up many different companies, accts rcvables, applying payments, print invoices ect. The great thing about it is you can set it up to work to your individual needs. It gives you many different choices and you figure out which way works best for you. The other great thing is that I bought it at Staples for $139.99 and it came with a mail in rebate for $140. Can't beat that!

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/28/08 4:12pm
Msg #241187

I bought the wrong version of 08. It will not copy and

transfer exsiting files. Back to Office Depot I go to exchange it. My fault. I thought I could get by with the "simple start" version. I need pro. Senior moment, I guess. lol

Reply by KODI/CA on 3/28/08 4:16pm
Msg #241188

I just completed training for Quickbooks Pro8 Certification. It is not only that they are not supporting version 2005, they have made changes in the interfacing of the accounts that will cause problems going down the road.

If you are going to have three or more companies you should get the current Premier Accounting package. If you want payroll, it is an add to that package.

Simple start 2008 is just that (Simple Start). You will outgrow it quite quickly. Linda if you have not installed it, I would suggest you take it back.

Most of your questions can be answered at Quickbooks.com.

Good luck and have a happy weelemd.

Reply by KODI/CA on 3/28/08 4:16pm
Msg #241189

OOPS, weekend

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/28/08 4:22pm
Msg #241191

Kodi, I'm on it!

"happy weelemd."

I gonna have me one crazy happy weelemd!

Thank you for the smile.

I've got to make a trip to take care of a semi-ailing parent (minor, for real very minor knee surgery). My step mom loves to be a-ailing so I needed a little boost!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 4:33pm
Msg #241194

Re: Accounting software ~ I've changed my 2005 QB to

another computer. I was not able to boot QB and the reason turned out to be that you need an older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader: I believe its version 7. I have a copy in my archives if you'd like me to send it to you. Just another reason in my book for not doing business with Intuit if I can avoid it. They are always after you to either upgrade or buy additional items. I'd just like to get away from it.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 3/28/08 4:38pm
Msg #241196

Can QB 2005 be downloaded to a flash drive?

Been trying to, can't seem to get it to do it.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 4:43pm
Msg #241199

That's a great question Misty, but I've not tried it. n/m

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/28/08 5:04pm
Msg #241207

Yes it can be downloaded to a flash drive. I do it and

take the flash drive to my accountant. Do it all the time.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 5:12pm
Msg #241210

Linda, do you select which data to download on the flash

drive or do you put everything on it?

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/28/08 5:51pm
Msg #241215

Quickbooks Icon is on my desktop. I right click and send it

to whatever drive your flash drive is (mine is E) I think (or removable disk). Works like a charm.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 3/29/08 11:54am
Msg #241281

I can backup to flash drive, but

I can backup to flash drive, but when I try to use it on a computer that doesn't have QB installed, I can't pull it up.
I'd love to install the program to a flash drive so that I can take the program to use on one of many computers I am using and don't want to install QB on all of them.

Reply by dickb/wi on 3/28/08 4:49pm
Msg #241201

charles here is a link to older versions of adobe reader....




http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 4:53pm
Msg #241202

Thanks dickb, that's a great website to have ;) ! n/m

Reply by dickb/wi on 3/28/08 4:57pm
Msg #241204

you are welcome...... n/m

Reply by dickb/wi on 3/28/08 4:57pm
Msg #241203

i don't have payroll and my "home and business premier" does

a very good job for me...it has a businss section where i keep track of what is owed and what has been paid by company.....then it has a cash flow section for your bank accts, credit cards etc for personal use...then it has an investing section and a property section.....it does all the usual such as financial graphs statements invoics and the likes....i am very happy with it...i am simple so need simple programs.....

Reply by dickb/wi on 3/28/08 4:58pm
Msg #241205

forgot to mention it is 2004.......... n/m

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/28/08 5:10pm
Msg #241209

Charles, I think you mean Flash Player 7, not Adobe.

This is my problem. I cannot install Flash player 7 anymore. It only will install version 9.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 5:19pm
Msg #241211

Actually I did mean Adobe Acrobat, that was the error

message I kept getting. Perhaps since I use Macromedia software for programming my websites the Flash and Fireworks software crosses platforms but I've never had a problem with my Flash player. Its been a while but when I reinstalled my QB Pro I had a heck of a time at the time getting an older version of Acrobat, that is why it stuck in my mind. I use Acrobat Pro for my loan docs and all my archives and hate having to have an older version of Acrobat Reader kicking around on my machine.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/28/08 5:49pm
Msg #241214

Re: Actually I did mean Adobe Acrobat, that was the error

My problem was Flash. Weird.

Reply by nancykay_mo on 3/28/08 5:03pm
Msg #241206

Help I am really confused now. My husband and I have just started a new engraving business very small co. I was told that I could buy QB pro 2003-4-5 from ebay and do what little accounting we need and keep track of notary business too. Now you all are saying that you need to update 2005. Should I go ahead and buy QB from ebay or am I just wasting money I don't have. TIA>

Reply by Harry [NR] on 3/28/08 7:23pm
Msg #241223

Re: Accounting software [Intuit QuickBooks]

Hey, Charles, we're in the same boat. First, I couldn't agree with you more. Debits and credits just aren't rocket science and neither are payroll tables, for that matter. Intuit seems to be creating a very nasty "forced upgrade" cycle. They do it with Quicken and they do it with QuickBooks. While we'd be fine with the versions that were out 5 years ago (and actually quite happier, since they were not the bloated crap they are now), we're forced to upgrade due to End of Life and the purported cost to support the "old" versions. That's all a bunch of crap. Most of them are highly stable and only need new tax tables (which must otherwise be released) to continue to operate. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you see a class action coming out of this at some point.

With that said, the alternatives are not much better. PeachTree is at least as expensive and their payroll subscription service is actually more, I think. Microsoft's offering, which I think used to be Great Plains, seems decent and is probably what we would migrate to if we moved from QuickBooks. However, at this point, we will likely buy QuickBooks 2008 /w Payroll from Sam's Club, which is considerably less expensive (i.e. about 1/2) than buying in any form from Intuit.

Oh, and on the "Intuit sucks" note... I've used TurboTax for years. This year, it will not run on any of our computers due to an Intuit-acknowledged conflict with Symantec Endpoint Protection (a corporate anti-virus solution). About the only way to fix it is to completely uninstall Symantec in order to run TurboTax. Their response? "Yeah, it's a problem, but it doesn't affect many people. We're not fixing it. We'll give you a voucher to use our web-based version." I returned it to Sam's Club, who graciously took it back, and am now looking at a permanent move to TaxAct.

Harry
Notary Rotary

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/28/08 8:47pm
Msg #241231

TurboTax is one of the reasons I've stuck with QB

I use TurboTax so that I don't have to go through the incredible pain of reading the IRS rules myself. I think that's a bunch of BS about Symantec, there are a lot of Symantec users out there, I was (Norton, used it for years), up until about two years ago, when it started being just too intrusive for me: a lot of corporate dashboards I use don't seem to like it.

So, I guess I'll reluctantly shell out the bucks for QB 2008 and just keep grumping about it. In my opinion, much, like Microsoft, Intuit is the best of a sh*tty lot. Thanks for your perspective Harry, it's always appreciated!

Reply by Gerry_VT on 3/30/08 8:18pm
Msg #241452

TurboTax

I'm running TurboTax 2006. It does not work correctly in XP Pro when used under a limited user account. When you contact support, they are clueless. I finally fixed myself by editing the registry. I could find noting in the description of the 2008 version to make me think it is any better.

Software that has minor problems with limited user accounts in XP has a reputation of dropping dead in Vista. I have not tried that myself yet, but I would bet a donut that TurboTax 2006 and earlier won't work in Vista.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/29/08 1:09am
Msg #241250

You are 100% correct Harry. Have used QB for 10 years now.

I could still be using the 98 version and be just fine. I do not need all the updated stuff. They try and revise it for use with many different kinds of businesses. But, they forget that there are many small business that do not need all this fancy stuff. I don't need credit card processing, inventory, allow 5 simultaneous users, billable hours. I am paying for stuff I will never, ever use. BS IMO.

I guess I shouldn't complain. When we were still in the gasoline business (6 stations), QB did everything but add the gallons up for me. A petroleum software program starting cost was $10 grand. Its probably $30 grand by now. Just couldn't justify that. My accountant would have a cow if I stopped using QB. Our entire business life for the last 10 years lies in their hands.