Lesson 1-- Opening a File

In this lesson you will learn how to open a Goldenseal company file, which already includes some data for a fictitious small company. Whenever you want to see its data and work with it, you will first open the file.

A company file stores all your business data in one place. It stays on your hard drive, so it will still be there the next time you want to look at it.

HINT: After you finish all the lessons, you will create your own company file, and fill it with your own company information. But for right now, it's easier if you stick with the sample file, since it already has data in it. You can fiddle as much as you want with the sample file while reading these lessons, and then throw it out when you are done.

Getting Started

If you haven't already installed the Goldenseal software on your computer, go back and run the installer.

When you have finished the installation, your computer hard drive will contain the Goldenseal program, and the sample file used for this lesson.

Opening Macintosh Files

To open the Sample Company File on the Macintosh, follow these steps:

  1. Double-click on your hard drive's icon, and locate the Goldenseal Files folder.
  2. Inside the folder you will see an icon for the Sample Company File.
  3. Double-click on the icon.
  4. Goldenseal will start running, and it will open the company file.

Opening Windows Files

To open the Sample Company File for Windows, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Choose Programs from the menu that shows above the button.
  3. Choose Goldenseal from the menu that shows at the right.
  4. Choose Sample Company File from the menu that shows at the right.
  5. Goldenseal will start running, and it will open the company file.

HINT: You can also start Goldenseal by double-clicking on the Sample Company File shortcut on your computer's 'desktop'.

You can also open the Sample Company file as follows:

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Choose Programs from the menu that shows above the button.
  3. Choose Goldenseal from the menu that shows at the right.
  4. Choose Goldenseal from the menu that show at its right.
  5. You'll see an Open dialog. You may need to 'navigate' to the Sample Company file, which is located on the C drive, inside the Program Files folder, and inside the Goldenseal folder.

The Company File

Each company file is a database that stores records of many types. The Sample Company File already contains some records. The next lesson will show you how you can enter new records into it.

You will use the Sample Company File in all the following lessons.

HINT: After you finish this tutorial, you'll enter new records into your own company file, and then use those records to handle your estimating, project management, accounting and general business management needs.

Finishing Up

You are now ready to move on to the next lesson! Before you do that, take a break, and treat yourself to a steamy mug of the hot liquid of your choice-- coffee, tea, or for those who need more than mere caffeine, bubbling lava.

Speaking of bubbling lava, did you know that you can mold it while it is still warm, and turn it into a chic black hat?

FACT FOR THE DAY: Archaeologists are still finding ceramic hat molds at the base of Mount Vesuvius dating back to pre-Roman times.

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