Tales From Tech 2 - Issue: 19

In Volume 16 of Tales From Tech 2, I described my plans for a series of issues on Contributions and Pledges. The last in this series was to be an issue describing the new reports and discussing the changes to the built-in reports in Version 8. Although I'm sure it would have been an extremely exciting and entertaining issue, plans have changed a little. I hope no one was holding their breath in anticipation, especially since Volume 16 came out eons ago!

Today, I want to do something a little different. Instead of just discussing one topic, I'm going to try and touch on several shorter topics that have been on my mind for a while. So, you can think of this issue as Volume Potpourri, instead of Volume 19.

Anyway, thinking about my Uncle George and his talking hamster reminded me of that old saying: Don't worry if you can't lead your horse to water, there'll be more for you to drink if you get thirsty.

IT'S LIKE THEY'RE MADE FOR EACH OTHER (WELL, ALMOST)

One question that we see over and over again is whether PowerChurch Plus is compatible with Windows XP.

The short answer to this question is "Yes." The long answer is also "Yes," but with a "No" and a couple of "Maybes" thrown in.

To make a long story short, there is one major issue and a couple of minor ones that we are aware of. The major issue is an irreconcilable problem affecting PowerChurch Plus Version 7 and higher that relates to printing checks or labels on a tractor feed printer, simply, you can't. The minor issues are just a couple of error messages that can happen under specific circumstances, but they are easy to take care of.

Anyway, rather than sitting here typing for the rest of the evening, I'm going to give you a link to a document that our Technical Support Department recently put together that describes all of this in great, glorious detail. Click Here.

APPLY WITHIN

Once in a while, someone will have contributions that are not applied to a pledge, but should be; or are applied, and shouldn't be.

The first thing I would suggest would be to check and see what contributions are applied to the pledge for the envelope number. To do this, bring up the envelope number under the View Posted Contributions screen and see if the word "Pledge" appears in the Pledge column for each contribution that should be applied to a pledge.

If you find a contribution under the View Posted Contributions screen that has not been applied to the pledge, but should be, you can apply it by simply highlighting the contribution, clicking on the "Change Pledge" button and then choosing the pledge record you want to apply it to.

If you find a contribution under this screen that is applied to a pledge and shouldn't be, you can un-apply it simply by highlighting the contribution, clicking on "Change Pledge" and then putting a check in the box that says "do not apply this contribution to a pledge."

YES, WE CARE

In spite of the silliness in Volume 18B about where to send your comments and criticisms about Tales From Tech 2, there is an important e-mail address that we do want you to use.

Many of the enhancements and updates added in each new version are based directly on the feedback of our users and we have an e-mail address set up just for your suggestions. That address is wishlist@powerchurch.com. (Yes, it's for real this time.)

Disclaimer: Please note that every suggestion is read and given the utmost attention, but not every suggestion can be incorporated as a feature in the program. The software will never wash your dishes, mow the yard or bring you breakfast in bed. Also, keep in mind that wishlist@powerchurch.com is for user feedback and suggestions. If you have a support question or if you need a response to your inquiry, please contact our Technical Support Department.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Another common question we get a lot, concerns how the name gets put together for the Contribution Statement.

In Version 8, the name that appears on the Contribution Statement is going to depend upon who in the family is assigned the envelope number, but the name will be pulled from the Personal Profiles, not the Family Mailing List record.

If only one person in the family has the envelope number, their title (if they have one) and first and last name will appear on the statement.

If the husband and wife (directory sequence 1 and 2) have the same envelope number, both of their names will appear on the statement, but prefixes will not be printed.

If an individual in the family that is directory sequence 3 or above and either parent (or both) are assigned the same envelope number, the name on the Contribution Statement will be the title, first and last name of the person with the lowest directory sequence number with "& Family" at the end.

Finally, if you have 2 or more individuals that are directory sequence 3 and above with the same envelope number, the name on the Contribution Statement will be the title, first and last name of the person with the lowest directory sequence number with "& Family" at the end.

On a related note, keep in mind that if the "include in mailouts" box isn't checked on the family record, Version 8 will not print an address on the Contribution Statement. Of course, if you're using PowerChurch Plus Version 8.5, you actually have the option of whether or not to print the address for people that aren't included in mailouts.

Oh no. What have I done? I'm going to get into so much trouble. I wasn't supposed to say anything about Version 8.5 yet. Don't say a word! I'll get fired if my boss finds out I spilled the sauerkraut. I promise I'll tell you more in the next issue, but for the love of goodness, don't call here and ask anyone about this because they'll just deny everything and I'll get into terribly lukewarm water.