Can't Find Account Data

[John Malcolm]

I recently installed HomeBank after getting fed up with Quicken. I went through the setup process and created a checking account with no difficulty.

Today, I attempted to enter a new transaction, but I can't find any sign of the previously-created account. Where would that data normally be kept and what would it look like (e.g. filename.ext)? The executable is in C:\Program Files\HomeBank.

This is a Windows 10 desktop system that has no history of losing data.

[Maxime DOYEN (mdoyen)]

A new file is named untitled.xhb

I suggest you check you have saved it and always ensure to save it
and also change the location into Edit Preference menu
by default it is into your home folder so C:\User\<username>

[John Malcolm (ananisapta)]

OK, I found C:\Users\username\untitled.xhb and got it renamed and associated with your executable; now when I open HomeBank.exe, it remembers where the last-opened data file is. I also found the check box that tells it to open that file automatically :-)

Regarding data security, I read your material at http://homebank.free.fr/en/faq.php#faq1386 but would like to suggest you consider offering some sort of auto-encryption option with your app. Yes, my system as a whole is password-protected, but I have to give that password to any technician who works on my PC. Sometimes a PC will be in the shop for weeks at a time, giving a lot of strangers access to your data. Also, the backup copies are pretty obvious and manually encrypting them every time I close would be a nuisance.

Thanks for all your hard work on this project!

[Maxime DOYEN (mdoyen)]

If you want to secure your data, xhb file or whatever, you have plenty of option (encrypted folder/partition).

Giving a password to someone is just breaking basic security rule.
People are always doing wrong things and so they compromise their data.
Password is a smokescreen.

[John Malcolm (ananisapta)]

I'm not sure you understood my concern. Please let me know if my English is not clear for you!

My desktop is homemade and has given me excellent service for six years. Prior PCs have occasionally needed professional service. I can sometimes find a tech to come to my home, in which case I can look over his shoulder as he works. More commonly, I would have to drop the system off at somebody's repair shop, probably somebody I don't personally know, and he may have several employees. The system might have to wait for a week for diagnosis, and then more days while parts are obtained. No repairs can be completed if the tech can't access the system, which would require me to give him my password. I didn't worry about this with Quicken, even though it could be used to access my savings and investment accounts, because I had a good password on the Quicken data file which the executable would insist on before decrypting my data. It automatically took care of encryption when saving the data file and its backups.

Another big advantage with Quicken was that it would issue electronic payments for me, which was quicker than writing a check and mailing it and separately entering the amount in a ledger. Unless I've missed something, HomeBank won't do that for me. Quicken has gone downhill since Intuit sold it, so the field is open for a competitor!

Electronic payments capability would be a huge hill for a single, part-time programmer, I know... but it probably wouldn't be too hard to add auto-encryption of data, and that would help close the gap with Quicken. It could be made a feature of your upscale version that people would pay for. I would think the profit potential would be almost unlimited if you could come close to matching the utility that Quicken had when it was with Intuit. They now charge over $50 for an annual membership (we used to pay that much for a five-year license).

Good luck!

John M Rathbun MD

    On Saturday, May 8, 2021, 1:05:34 PM EDT, Maxime DOYEN <email address hidden> wrote:

 If you want to secure your data, xhb file or whatever, you have plenty
of option (encrypted folder/partition).

Giving a password to someone is just breaking basic security rule.
People are always doing wrong things and so they compromise their data.
Password is a smokescreen.

** Changed in: homebank
      Status: New => Invalid

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1927797

Title:
  Can't Find Account Data

Status in HomeBank:
  Invalid

Bug description:
  I recently installed HomeBank after getting fed up with Quicken. I
  went through the setup process and created a checking account with no
  difficulty.

  Today, I attempted to enter a new transaction, but I can't find any
  sign of the previously-created account. Where would that data normally
  be kept and what would it look like (e.g. filename.ext)? The
  executable is in C:\Program Files\HomeBank.

  This is a Windows 10 desktop system that has no history of losing
  data.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/homebank/+bug/1927797/+subscriptions