Sharing A File On A Home Network

[John Gregory]

I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home network.
I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. Just recently
I read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure if that's
because of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at the
same time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.



Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after my
portfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the other
machine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever the
stock quotes come from).



I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "Download
Summary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances", the
date of the last update is always the date that particular machine made the
update rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, if machine
"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" where it's
stored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page would be
the date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine "B",
the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that not of
yesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,
however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those of
yesterday's update made by machine "A".



Do I have anything to be concerned about here?

[Han Broekman]

"John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote in news:ITVTd.11965$Sa6.6034
@fe2.columbus.rr.com:
Do I have anything to be concerned about here?
If (and that's the big if) there is no chance of more than 1 instance of a
program accessing the data, then there is nothing to worry about as far as
data integrety is concerned. However, I never used Q 2001 H&B, just Q02 DL
and now Q05 DL.

I don't understand the other question about the dates (didn't really try to
after I first didn't "get it".)
--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

[Victor Roberts]

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 07:51:04 GMT, "John Gregory"
<jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:

[snip]
Do I have anything to be concerned about here?

I don't think it is a concern, but here is some more info.

I keep my Quicken data in a separate directory, backup the data files
to ZIP disk and then to CD-ROM and DAT tape. I also use the ZIP to
transfer Quicken data between two computers. Before your message I
thought that the files in the data directory I specified in Q would
hold everything that had been changed during the last use of Q.
However, a quick check of the Q home directory (not the specified data
directory) showed four files that were modified as of the last date
when Q was accessed. So, the data directory does not have all the most
recent information, and that may be responsible for the incorrect date
you are seeing.


--
Vic Roberts
Replace xxx with vdr in e-mail address.

[Skeptic]

John Gregory wrote: I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home network. I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. Just recently I read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure if that's because of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at the same time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem. Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after my portfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the other machine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever the stock quotes come from). I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "Download Summary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances", the date of the last update is always the date that particular machine made the update rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, if machine "A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" where it's stored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page would be the date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine "B", the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that not of yesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file, however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those of yesterday's update made by machine "A". Do I have anything to be concerned about here?

I just installed Quicken Deluxe 2005 and have played around with
installing on my laptop and access the data file on my desktop through a
wireless network. It seemed to work OK. I only updated stock quotes and
did not do the account download. I noticed that every time I opened
Quicken on the laptop I had to manually point it to the file on the
other computer.

I think the best way to do this is to backup the file each time to the
desktop and do restore each time you use it. That way you are always
working with a local copy of the data file.

Skeptic

[Stewart Berman]

Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the
Quicken.ini file. Most of the registry information is kept under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Each of your machines has its own set of registry
and ini file information.

Stu

"John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:
I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home network.I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. Just recentlyI read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure if that'sbecause of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at thesame time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after myportfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the othermachine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever thestock quotes come from).I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "DownloadSummary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances", thedate of the last update is always the date that particular machine made theupdate rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, if machine"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" where it'sstored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page would bethe date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine "B",the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that not ofyesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those ofyesterday's update made by machine "A".Do I have anything to be concerned about here?

[John Gregory]

>>Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the
Quicken.ini file.<<

Anyone talkin' register and HKEY's is probably a few blocks ahead of me so
let me confirm...
The "local context information" is reference to exactly what again? It's not
the raw data? Machine A (the data file is always stored on machine B and
separately backed up with a zip drive... not really part of this discussion
but just an aside to allay those who may otherwise feel a tad nervous)
Machine A always requires me to manually point the Quicken program to the
file location on Machine B before use.

If I understand you correctly... there's no threat to file integrity in this
scenario?

"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in message
news:o6k421tcir5dt0f9d96tantbfeda3evcio@4ax.com... Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the Quicken.ini file. Most of the registry information is kept under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Each of your machines has its own set of registry and ini file information. Stu "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a homenetwork.I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. JustrecentlyI read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure ifthat'sbecause of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at thesame time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after myportfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the othermachine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever thestock quotes come from).I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "DownloadSummary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances",thedate of the last update is always the date that particular machine madetheupdate rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, ifmachine"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" whereit'sstored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page wouldbethe date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine"B",the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that notofyesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those ofyesterday's update made by machine "A".Do I have anything to be concerned about here?

[Stewart Berman]

Quicken was designed for a single machine and a single (administrator)
user. It suffers from the normal MS Windows design problems it that
the designers never envisioned a multiuser environment. It has gotten
a little better in that it works better in a shared environment on a
single machine.

The data file is not at risk as long as you don't open it from two
machines at the same time. What is kept in the registry and the ini
file is state information -- like the last file you used or the last
download.

Stu

"John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:
Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and theQuicken.ini file.<<Anyone talkin' register and HKEY's is probably a few blocks ahead of me solet me confirm...The "local context information" is reference to exactly what again? It's notthe raw data? Machine A (the data file is always stored on machine B andseparately backed up with a zip drive... not really part of this discussionbut just an aside to allay those who may otherwise feel a tad nervous)Machine A always requires me to manually point the Quicken program to thefile location on Machine B before use.If I understand you correctly... there's no threat to file integrity in thisscenario?"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in messagenews:o6k421tcir5dt0f9d96tantbfeda3evcio@4ax.com... Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the Quicken.ini file. Most of the registry information is kept under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Each of your machines has its own set of registry and ini file information. Stu "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a homenetwork.I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. JustrecentlyI read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure ifthat'sbecause of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at thesame time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after myportfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the othermachine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever thestock quotes come from).I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "DownloadSummary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances",thedate of the last update is always the date that particular machine madetheupdate rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, ifmachine"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" whereit'sstored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page wouldbethe date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine"B",the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that notofyesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those ofyesterday's update made by machine "A".Do I have anything to be concerned about here?

[John Gregory]

Great. The file is never accessed by two machines at the same time so I'm
safe. I'm curious though. Just what WOULD happen if, by chance, I left the
file open on machine B then two hours later forgot and tried opening it from
machine A. Wouldn't Windows simply tell me it can't hand the task 'cause the
file is in use?


"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in message
news:5rn721hfpm5onibcasok8b43kvko2vvkcp@4ax.com... Quicken was designed for a single machine and a single (administrator) user. It suffers from the normal MS Windows design problems it that the designers never envisioned a multiuser environment. It has gotten a little better in that it works better in a shared environment on a single machine. The data file is not at risk as long as you don't open it from two machines at the same time. What is kept in the registry and the ini file is state information -- like the last file you used or the last download. Stu "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:>Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and theQuicken.ini file.<<Anyone talkin' register and HKEY's is probably a few blocks ahead of me solet me confirm...The "local context information" is reference to exactly what again? It'snotthe raw data? Machine A (the data file is always stored on machine B andseparately backed up with a zip drive... not really part of thisdiscussionbut just an aside to allay those who may otherwise feel a tad nervous)Machine A always requires me to manually point the Quicken program to thefile location on Machine B before use.If I understand you correctly... there's no threat to file integrity inthisscenario?"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in messagenews:o6k421tcir5dt0f9d96tantbfeda3evcio@4ax.com... Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the Quicken.ini file. Most of the registry information is kept under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Each of your machines has its own set of registry and ini file information. Stu "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:>I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home>network.>I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. Just>recently>I read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure if>that's>because of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at>the>same time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.>>>>Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after>my>portfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the other>machine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever the>stock quotes come from).>>>>I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "Download>Summary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances",>the>date of the last update is always the date that particular machine made>the>update rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, if>machine>"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" where>it's>stored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page>would>be>the date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine>"B",>the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that>not>of>yesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,>however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those>of>yesterday's update made by machine "A".>>>>Do I have anything to be concerned about here?>

[speedlever]

"John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:ITVTd.11965$Sa6.6034@fe2.columbus.rr.com:
I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home network.

John,

I do this too but use a program called Syncback to keep my data files
synced between my laptop and my PC. You can easily configure Syncback (I
use the paid version, SE, but a freeware version is available which does
just fine) in backup mode, sync mode, or custom (so you can choose either
the larger file or later file, in case you forgot which data file you
used last).

HTH.

[Stewart Berman]

Depends on a lot things including the type of open Quicken uses and
when it flushes its buffers. Since Quicken is not designed to share
files it is best not to try.

Stu

"John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:
Great. The file is never accessed by two machines at the same time so I'msafe. I'm curious though. Just what WOULD happen if, by chance, I left thefile open on machine B then two hours later forgot and tried opening it frommachine A. Wouldn't Windows simply tell me it can't hand the task 'cause thefile is in use?"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in messagenews:5rn721hfpm5onibcasok8b43kvko2vvkcp@4ax.com... Quicken was designed for a single machine and a single (administrator) user. It suffers from the normal MS Windows design problems it that the designers never envisioned a multiuser environment. It has gotten a little better in that it works better in a shared environment on a single machine. The data file is not at risk as long as you don't open it from two machines at the same time. What is kept in the registry and the ini file is state information -- like the last file you used or the last download. Stu "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:>>Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and theQuicken.ini file.<<Anyone talkin' register and HKEY's is probably a few blocks ahead of me solet me confirm...The "local context information" is reference to exactly what again? It'snotthe raw data? Machine A (the data file is always stored on machine B andseparately backed up with a zip drive... not really part of thisdiscussionbut just an aside to allay those who may otherwise feel a tad nervous)Machine A always requires me to manually point the Quicken program to thefile location on Machine B before use.If I understand you correctly... there's no threat to file integrity inthisscenario?"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in messagenews:o6k421tcir5dt0f9d96tantbfeda3evcio@4ax.com...> Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the> Quicken.ini file. Most of the registry information is kept under> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Each of your machines has its own set of registry> and ini file information.>> Stu>> "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:>>>I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home>>network.>>I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. Just>>recently>>I read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure if>>that's>>because of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at>>the>>same time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.>>>>>>>>Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after>>my>>portfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the other>>machine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever the>>stock quotes come from).>>>>>>>>I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "Download>>Summary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances",>>the>>date of the last update is always the date that particular machine made>>the>>update rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, if>>machine>>"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" where>>it's>>stored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page>>would>>be>>the date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine>>"B",>>the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that>>not>>of>>yesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,>>however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those>>of>>yesterday's update made by machine "A".>>>>>>>>Do I have anything to be concerned about here?>>>

[I live on Outlook]

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 22:06:09 -0500, Stewart Berman
<saberman@chesma.com> wrote:
Depends on a lot things including the type of open Quicken uses andwhen it flushes its buffers. Since Quicken is not designed to sharefiles it is best not to try.

Stew,

I've been working with Quicken data files over my home network for at
least five years now, going back to Win 98 (ugh! may the gods of
Redmond forever banish that memory!) Never had a single problem.
Quicken always writes transactions to files immediately.

I noticed this quite dramatically when I had a 10 MB + quicken file on
a slow system. Each and every transaction entry caused a data reload
progress bar to appear.
Stu"John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:Great. The file is never accessed by two machines at the same time so I'msafe. I'm curious though. Just what WOULD happen if, by chance, I left thefile open on machine B then two hours later forgot and tried opening it frommachine A. Wouldn't Windows simply tell me it can't hand the task 'cause thefile is in use?"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in messagenews:5rn721hfpm5onibcasok8b43kvko2vvkcp@4ax.com... Quicken was designed for a single machine and a single (administrator) user. It suffers from the normal MS Windows design problems it that the designers never envisioned a multiuser environment. It has gotten a little better in that it works better in a shared environment on a single machine. The data file is not at risk as long as you don't open it from two machines at the same time. What is kept in the registry and the ini file is state information -- like the last file you used or the last download. Stu "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:>>>Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the>Quicken.ini file.<<>>Anyone talkin' register and HKEY's is probably a few blocks ahead of me so>let me confirm...>The "local context information" is reference to exactly what again? It's>not>the raw data? Machine A (the data file is always stored on machine B and>separately backed up with a zip drive... not really part of this>discussion>but just an aside to allay those who may otherwise feel a tad nervous)>Machine A always requires me to manually point the Quicken program to the>file location on Machine B before use.>>If I understand you correctly... there's no threat to file integrity in>this>scenario?>>"Stewart Berman" <saberman@chesma.com> wrote in message>news:o6k421tcir5dt0f9d96tantbfeda3evcio@4ax.com...>> Quicken keeps local context information in the registry and the>> Quicken.ini file. Most of the registry information is kept under>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Each of your machines has its own set of registry>> and ini file information.>>>> Stu>>>> "John Gregory" <jaygreg90@hotmail.com> wrote:>>>>>I share my Quicken 2001 H&B file with two computers through a home>>>network.>>>I've been doing it for a few years now with no apparent issue. Just>>>recently>>>I read where it wasn't advisable to network Quicken. I'm not sure if>>>that's>>>because of the threat of two people trying to access the same file at>>>the>>>same time or what. There's only me here so that's not a problem.>>>>>>>>>>>>Since reading that advice, I've paid closer to Quicken's results after>>>my>>>portfolio gets updated. The numbers always agree when I use the other>>>machine after one gets the data from the Quicken server (or wherever the>>>stock quotes come from).>>>>>>>>>>>>I have notice one thing that concerns me. When I look at my "Download>>>Summary" of the main screen of my finance pages entitled "My Finances",>>>the>>>date of the last update is always the date that particular machine made>>>the>>>update rather than the date the file was updated. In other words, if>>>machine>>>"A" updated the file and placed it back on the disc of machine "B" where>>>it's>>>stored, the date of this update appearing on the "My Finances" page>>>would>>>be>>>the date of the actual update. If I allow a day to pass then use machine>>>"B",>>>the date appearing on the "My Finances" download summary will be that>>>not>>>of>>>yesterday, but the date that machine actually did the update. The file,>>>however, clearly shows that the latest stock prices are, in fact, those>>>of>>>yesterday's update made by machine "A".>>>>>>>>>>>>Do I have anything to be concerned about here?>>>>>>

[Mike B]

I live on Quicken and Outlook <Private@privacy.org> wrote: On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 22:06:09 -0500, Stewart Berman <saberman@chesma.com> wrote: Depends on a lot things including the type of open Quicken uses and when it flushes its buffers. Since Quicken is not designed to share files it is best not to try. Stew, I've been working with Quicken data files over my home network for at least five years now, going back to Win 98 (ugh! may the gods of Redmond forever banish that memory!) Never had a single problem. Quicken always writes transactions to files immediately.

But, does it always read from the file? Otherwise, if it uses in-memory data
to perform updates, then if both copies of Quicken are used concurrently (or
sequentially) then it may not see the most recent data written by the other
copy of Quicken and overwrite the file with its own version of what it
perceives a balance to be. Classic problem of online transaction processing
systems. One of the ACID properties for a trusted OLTP system.

--
Mike B

[I live on Outlook]

On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 09:21:18 -0600, "Mike B"
<mike_bredenkamp@attglobal.net> wrote:
I live on Quicken and Outlook <Private@privacy.org> wrote: On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 22:06:09 -0500, Stewart Berman <saberman@chesma.com> wrote: Depends on a lot things including the type of open Quicken uses and when it flushes its buffers. Since Quicken is not designed to share files it is best not to try. Stew, I've been working with Quicken data files over my home network for at least five years now, going back to Win 98 (ugh! may the gods of Redmond forever banish that memory!) Never had a single problem. Quicken always writes transactions to files immediately.But, does it always read from the file? Otherwise, if it uses in-memory datato perform updates, then if both copies of Quicken are used concurrently (orsequentially) then it may not see the most recent data written by the other

Very good point, but my humble home network is hardly a trusted OLTP
system! :) :) :)

I honestly don't know the answr to that question. But I'm the only
one who uses Quicken. Common sense should tell you that PC desktop
applications with local files are not designed for multiple
simultaneous users.

By the way, I forgot what ACID stands for. A= atomicity, IIRC.
copy of Quicken and overwrite the file with its own version of what itperceives a balance to be. Classic problem of online transaction processingsystems. One of the ACID properties for a trusted OLTP system.

[Mike B]

I live on Quicken and Outlook <Private@privacy.org> wrote:
By the way, I forgot what ACID stands for. A= atomicity, IIRC.

Atomicity
Consistency
Integrity
Durability

--
Mike B