When Three Become One: Spb Finance Updated

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=84585&productType=2' target='_blank'>http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/...5&productType=2</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Spb Finance is a financial manager that you can carry in your pocket. You don't have to write down all your day's expenses and transfer them to your desktop PC financial manager later. Enter your expenses into Spb Finance on the spot and forget about them, Spb Finance will remember them for you. Entering a transaction is a two-click business, since Spb Finance has a built-in auto-completion feature. Do you use Microsoft Money or Quicken at your desktop? Spb Finance has special features for synchronization with these products."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050327-SpbFinance.gif" /><br /><br />Spb Finance has just been updated, and to make life easier, there are no longer three separate versions to download. The Standard, Money and Quick Editions are now packaged in a single, easy-to-use installer. Version 1.9 is a free update for all pre-existing users of Spb Finance 1.x, so if you need to update it, you can download the new version by heading over to the <a href="http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/finance/download.html?en">Spb Finance download page</a>. If you're still wanting to try or buy Spb Finance, then feel free to pay <a href="http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=84585&productType=2">Handango</a> a visit. It's on sale for $19.95. [Affiliate]

[Zack Mahdavi]

Wow, 1.9 already. I've been using SPB Finance for over a year now, and I recently started using their Money conduit. I haven't had any significant problems. Great program with a great interface.

[Jason Lee]

oh great. now those of us that only want the standard version get the extra overhead of all the sync mess. there goes more of my precious ram to features i don't want or need. :(

how much bigger is the install?

[ctmagnus]

how much bigger is the install?

Spb's page says the install occuppies 1.3MB on the device. I don't know how that compares with any of the previous versions, because my memory ain't that good.

[tzirbel]

It's about the same size. When installing it prompts for which version to install. It maybe 30k larger. I have not noticed any difference in this over the last for MS Money edition at least.

[Jason Lee]

oh, so maybe it is just a unified installer. that would be ok.

[Darius Wey]

oh, so maybe it is just a unified installer. that would be ok.

It is. As tzirbel has stated, you have the option of choosing which version you want to install when you run the EXE. So if you pick Standard Edition, you won't get the added synchronisation features of Money or Quick. If you decide to switch editions at a later date, you can simply run the installer again. Since you own one version of Spb Finance, you are entitled to use the other editions for free.

[ctmagnus]

If you decide to switch editions at a later date, you can simply run the installer again. Since you own one version of Spb Finance, you are entitled to use the other editions for free.

This makes me glad I decided to switch from Pocket Quicken a few months back. :)

[gmontielh]

Tried it and uninstalled it. Awfully slow synchronization everytime with MS Money. It also keeps my Activesync on hold while it's exchanging data. Would not recommended at all as it is right now. So far none of the financial packages for the PPC satisfy me as their desktop versions. All of them (inc. MSMoney and Quicken PPC versions) have something missing: sync'ing, ease of use, graphics, etc. The fully integrated ones only sync with MSMoney or Quicken via export/import of files :( Just wish for full versions of Money or Quicken for the PPC that properly integrate with their desktop brothers. When this happens I will surely get one.

[Zack Mahdavi]

Tried it and uninstalled it. Awfully slow synchronization everytime with MS Money.

Just out of curiosity, how many records are you syncing?

[kaisersoze]

I use it since version 1 (when there was no money version). Since they released their money version I never sucessfully synched with money 2005.
Activesynch always tells me about some 105 items to resinch and keeps going and restarting forever.

Their costumer support is great, but unfortunately never managed to solve this problem... i gave them my logs etc, but gave up on the third money version.

I tried today with 1.9 and still no go.. I even created a new money file, tried on 2 computers and no go.

I just use it a ppc money manager.. just gave up on desktop money... :| :|

[gmontielh]

Tried it and uninstalled it. Awfully slow synchronization everytime with MS Money.

Just out of curiosity, how many records are you syncing?

A lot! However is there a limit to the number of records? I could not find such option... If available it could help in faster syncs.

[gmontielh]

I use it since version 1 (when there was no money version). Since they released their money version I never sucessfully synched with money 2005.
Activesynch always tells me about some 105 items to resinch and keeps going and restarting forever.

Their costumer support is great, but unfortunately never managed to solve this problem... i gave them my logs etc, but gave up on the third money version.

I tried today with 1.9 and still no go.. I even created a new money file, tried on 2 computers and no go.

I just use it a ppc money manager.. just gave up on desktop money... :| :|

Same problem here and it was with 1 record! I did not indicate which one it was as it just kept synching and synching....

[BugDude10]

I just downloaded the trial from Handango, and am very disappointed so far.

First, and most importantly, it trashed my Money database on my PC. My balance is now off by at least $3,000.

Next, apparently it will sync the entire database without giving you the option of selecting how far back to go (as does the freebie Pocket Money from MS). While my PC database can go back to 1997, I really don't need all that info on my PPC.

Next, I'm getting ActiveStynk loops also, where it seems like Finance is endlessly "looking for changes", then finding some irreconcilable items, then trying again, and so on.

I think this might still be one or two versions away from being what I want.

Just my $0.02.

[LightMan]

hmm funny you guys are running into so many issues ... I've been sincronizing with Money 2005 Premium on the desktop without any major issues since v1.2.0 ... I wonder what differences can there be to make for those issues ... for instance, does anyone have different regional definitions on your desktop and ppc?