ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 1987. THIS SOFTWARE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN AND AVAILABLE FROM THE LIMA UG CHECK-BOOK WRITER by Melvin Nomina Lima Ohio User Group How many TI users balance check books and keep track of their checks with the aid of a computer program? The answer is,"Not many." Although there are several good check book programs in the libraries of most user groups they are time consuming. You have to write your checks, record data in your checkbook, load the computer program, and enter the same data into the computer. Most TI users prefer to use a hand calculator and keep track of checks by hand, since it is faster that way. The program that follows is different. It actually SAVES TIME. The program IMPRINTS CHECKS and PRINTS CHECK STUBS with the printer as you enter data. All you do is run the program, and type in the names and dollar amounts as prompted. When all data for a check are entered the computer prompts you to insert a blank check into the printer (not at all difficult, see below), and the data are automatically printed onto the check and onto a printed check stub. Sheets of these stubs can be saved in a notebook instead of manually entering the transaction in your checkbook. The data are also automatically merged into a disk file which can later be printed out or displayed on the screen either as is, or sorted according to payee. Check-book Writer can keep track of 4 different bank accounts all from the same program and all on the same disk. You could, for example, keep records on your own checking account, your spouse's checking account, a money market account with limited check writing privilages, and one of the kid's checking accounts. Using the program is easy. It is menu directed, and an instruction subprogram is immediately available from most menus. Put the program on a newly initialized disk. Name the program LOAD and use the disk in DSK1. Select extended basic, and once autobooted the program will start RUNning in a few seconds because a prescan routine has been added. When you RUN the program for the first time select item (6) from the first menu. This routine will create all needed data files on the disk. You will not have to use item (6) again until you put the program on another disk. The program is designed to use normal sized bank checks in its first three accounts (Bankbooks 1-3). Program lines 2800-2890 control the actual allignment and printing of normal sized checks on a Star or Epson printer. These program lines can be altered if your checks are physically slightly different than mine. Fan fold paper is left in the printer, and it is NOT necessary to use special templates to run the checks through most printers. When prompted an unused check is inserted on top of the paper and partially inside the bar which guides the paper as it emerges on the PLATEN in the front of the printer. If the platen RELEASE LEVER is open (in the "T" or tractor freed position) this insertion is easy. The check is lined up with the left paper perforation and with a horizontal line previously printed on the paper as part of the check stub. The platen RELEASE LEVER is then engaged (in the "F" or friction feed position) and the PAPER BAIL BAR (the bar with the little rollers on it to hold the paper flat on the platen) is lowered over the top of the check. The check is now held firmly in position and at the press of the key check printing begins. This description is based on inserting checks into a GEMINI 10X or STAR SG-10 printer. Insertion into other printers is probably just as easy. Using "Bank book 4" from the first menu, the program will permit proper printing on special large 8.5 x 11 inch checks with sprocket holes. These special large checks are designed to feed through a printer in the same way as fan fold paper. Such checks can be ordered from some office supply stores or from computer supply catalogs. The cost of these large checks is usually more than the cost of ordinary checks you get from your bank. System requirements include extended basic, 32K, and a disk system. A printer is not absolutely required, since all data can be displayed on the screen, but it is certainly extremely useful. Also useful, but not required, is the CorComp TRIPLE TECH card or 9900 Clock. By removing the "!" in lines 2550-2570 you can have a time and date added to each check record. The program creates 3 files for each of the 4 bank accounts. One printer name file is also created. The default printer name in this file is PIO. If you want to change the printer name, or examine what name is currently stored in the printer name file, choose item (5) from the first menu. All files are DIS/VAR 80 and can be edited using TI-WRITER. The easy ability to edit these files with TI-WRITER is an advantage if you make incorrect enteries. BKBBOOKx shows the account x balance. It is a one line file with a blank space followed by the balance. BKNBOOKx shows the number of the last transaction or check used in account x. It is a one line file with a blank space followed by the last check's number. CHECKBOOKx shows (in this order) the reference (or check) number, the date, "For", deposit amount, payee, check amount, was check printed?, and new balance for each transaction. This file is your record of all previous activity in account x. The first record (line) of this file should be a null string (blank). PRI-SET shows the name of the printer. Default is "PIO". It is a one line file with the printer name starting in column 1 (no blank space before name). Data entry instructions can be read from within the program. Be sure to enter data exactly as directed. For example, January 1, 1986 must be entered as "01/01/86". "1/1/86" would generate an error and return you to the first menu. Also amounts must have a decimal point and cents. Six dollars should be entered as ""6.00", not as "6". Deposits are recorded by choosing item #1 (Write Checks) from the main menu. When entering deposits, a zero should be entered for "Amount" of check. I find this program a real time saver. I sit down once a month, load this program, and write checks for all my bills. Any deposits or checks written in the meantime I temporarily record in my checkbook until I can enter the data into this program. When I get my checks back from the bank I use TI-Writer to load the CHCKBOOKx file and place an "x" next to each transaction number (checks and deposits) listed on the bank statement. I also make a notation of the amounts of any checks or deposits that are not yet recorded on the bank statement. I then load the program, select the proper account number from the first menu, and select BALANCE CHECKBOOK from the second menu. After entering as prompted the bank statement balance, recent deposits, the value of outstanding checks, and any interest or service charges not yet on the bank statement, the BALANCE CHECKBOOK routine calculates the new balance. The only thing this program doesn't do is, from within the program, bring up a check number and allow you to check it off as having been returned by the bank. This is done with TI-Writer as described above. Maybe some good XB programer can add such a feature.