Splasm Software Discussions

When I backup my Checkbook Pro files on either my computer (I-mac) or external hard drive they are saved as plst. If I try and open them all I get is a bunch of computer gibberish on my screen. How do I make the backup files look like the original?
1rgteacher

That's correct. The normal plist file resides in the Checkbook user/application support folder. The CB app opens the plist file. When you "backup" you get a plist file on the desktop. It doesn't do anything unless it's in the app support folder.

Thank you for the reply concerning CB backup files, but be advised that you are working with a techno-peasant. I don't understand most of what you said. Specifically the following:
1. What is a plist file?
2. Once I open my backup file and get it in a plist form, how can I change it so I can read it?
3. If I need it, how do I find the user application support folder?

Any advice is appreciated.

1rgteacher

1. From your hard drive, click on your user file. It's in a folder named "Users." or, in Finder view, it's the image of the little house on the left.
2.Inside your user file, there will be a folder named "Library." Open it.
3. Inside the "Library" folder is a folder named "Application Support."
4. Inside the "Application Support" folder is a folder named Checkbook.
5. If you open the CB folder, you'll find the actual, functional Accounts.plist file

This cascading group of files and folders is the Mac's Hierarchical File System Think of it as a staircase, each step taking you closer to your desired destination, until you finally reach it.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchical_File_System
You should learn and understand the HFS concept; it's used a lot when uploading things from your computer to the web.

If all's well, don't mess with the Accounts.plist file that you made when you created the backup. You can use the backup you made to REPLACE it if needed, although backups are made automatically, and are in that folder so named in the CB folder. What can you do with that backup file? Nothing much. The Accounts.plist file contains all your Checkbook data. The application opens it; it isn't made to be opened or read by you.

To save your checkbook in a readable state, "Export to > Text" You will have to specify WHERE you want the file saved to (yep, that's part of HFS), and also name it. It really isn't hard. Consider that I'm in my 70s, and I can do it quite easily.

User support files are on the top menu bar, all the way to the right, under "Help" and then drop down to CB help.

You might consider using the Mac's built-in "Time Machine" to do your backups automatically. You would need an external hard drive though. I use Time Machine, and also backup to an additional external drive using SuperDuper! But that's just me (and I have a bunch of external drives laying around). Under normal use, you likely have no use for the extra Accounts.plist file.

It worked!! Thank you so much. I had actually stumbled on this solution some time ago but didn't keep any notes and was unable to figure it out again. Even though I am not in my 70's like you are, I do qualify for senior citizen discounts. It was great to get assistance from someone with a few years under his/her belt. You understood how to explain it to me perfectly. I owe you one.