Desktop multiplatform GUI options

Thinking of creating a desktop application nowadays is really a pain. Multiple platforms and no definitive way to share the UI although no major functionality changes have been introduced in a long time.

Some options, for .NET framework, are listed at GUI Toolkits page at Mono Project web site. One interesting framework is GTK#, which uses the very-popular GTK UI framework.

While .NET has been introduced onto multiple platforms, it will be interesting to see if GTK# works equally well for a multi-platform UI.

Windows 10 update 1703

There is a bunch of new things added in Windows 10 update 1703, as listed here. Unfortunately, I do not need a single thing listed on that page.

My enthusiasm about new updates is currently at level zero. And I see it going into negative if new updates full of features I don't need keep coming along.

Quicken to GnuCash

Before making the jump, a proper research is in place. Here is a collection of resources related to migrating years of data from Quicken to GnuCash (Open Source).

• Mobile app: 
• MoneyManagerEx for Android. Can export .QIF files. Once the mapping is established in GnuCash, the transfer goes smoothly.
• GnuCash for Android (link)
• Multiple currencies
• Turn on trading accounts
• Create currency sub-accounts for every expense (! :S)
• Investments
• Manual (link)
• Migrate data
• Quicken to GnuCash series (link) 
• Support
• GnuCash-User mailing list archives (link) and search (link)
• Wiki (link)

Customization

Gnucash allows customization through various channels. If the database is left unencrypted, the easiest is to access it directly. There are also API endpoints that utilize GnuCash business logic and data retrieval. There are also extension points for Perl and Python.

• piecash Python library (link) can be used to manipulate data directly in the database, like import prices from CSV or read existing records.
• Gnucash Utilities, Python (link), repo (link), provides reports in Python.
• Python bindings (not available on Windows).
• Perl mods can be installed via install-fq-mods.cmd script in GnuCash bin directory. Run all Perl scripts in the bin directory.
• perl gnc-fq-dump asx VHY 
• perl gnc-fq-check 
• perl gnc-fq-update 

Updating prices from command line: gnucash --add-price-quotes /path/to/file.gnucash

To-Do

•  display exchange rate graph
• read data using piecash
• display the custom report using utilities
• price update
• add new provider(s) to Finance::Quote (Fixer, Morningstar)

(more to come)

Ad blockers for Android

It seems that the currently popular solutions are:

• uBlock Origin (link), Firefox add-on, for Internet browser
• Block This (link) for the overall system

Remote Desktop Manager

A new favorite remoted desktop connection manager - https://remotedesktopmanager.com/



Lots of options for importing existing settings, online backup, dark theme, export. Pretty smooth operation, as well.

Desktop Clock

Finally a decent analog clock for desktop .



http://www.clocx.net/



Transparency, variety of backgrounds, seconds arm, calendar...

The only missing feature is the ability to have multiple instances or clocks for various time zones.

Identity Server resources

As Identity Server in .Net speeds along, with breaking changes in the stack all over the place, here are some resources that might help resolve numerous questions and issues that arise during implementation:

• When looking for an example, check the Samples repository
• Example on how to mix b2b and user authentication in the host (link)