Installation

Installation of Free Net Billing is fairly simple but not automatic. It assumes the following:

  • You are running a CGI enabled web server (e.g. Apache) on BSD, Linux or Windows.
  • You are running sendmail (or equivalent) if you want to send e-mail.
  • You are capable of configuring your web server and associated software.
  • You understand and are willing to accept the security responsibilities involved.

Installation Steps

  • Read the Security Notes section below.
  • Download the Free Net Billing tar ball ( fnb-2.0.tgz ) and unpack in some directory.
  • Copy the contents of the (unpacked) www directory to the appropriate directory.
  • Copy the contents of the (unpacked) cgi-bin directory to the appropriate directory.
  • Set the appropriate file permissions for all files.
  • Configure your Web Server as needed.
  • Install tcl version 8.4x (or later), if it is not installed on your system.
  • Install sqlite version 3.x (with the tcl bindings), if it is not installed on your system.
  • Make any adjustment needed to the lines at the top of the /cgi-bin/fnb.tcl file.
  • In /cgi-bin, type: sqlite3   newaccount.fnb   <   newaccount.sql       **
  • Create one or more New Logins as explained below.

** This command creates an empty data file with the specific version of sqlite you have installed. If you need to recreate the data file, delete /cgi-bin/newaccount.fnb before you re-run the command.

Creating A New Login

A Login is created for each company that will be served by this Free Net Billing installation. Any number of Logins can be created. Each login is qiven a unique, maximun 10 digit (alphanumeric - no spaces) name. This login is the link to the data file of a particular company. Some example logins names might be:

  • myco
  • store1
  • store2
  • davisco

In the cgi-bin directory, you will find a directory named: fnbdata. This is the directory that will contain the directories that will contain the data files for the different Logins. Each Login has it's own directory.

In the cgi-bin directory, you will find a file named: newaccount.fnb. This is an empty data file (that you created - see above) for a new Login account. Each Login has it's own data file.

The following shows how to create a new Login account for a company assigned the login: myco. Notice the required use of all small letters.

  • Create a directory : cgi-bin/fnbdata/myco
  • Copy the file newlogin.fnb --> cgi-bin/fnbdata/myco/myco.fnb
  • Set the appropriate permissions on the new directory and file.

The new Login for myco has now been created, but you will have to login to the account 2 times to finish the setup.

  • 1st step - Login to set the User -A- password
  • Login with the account/password combination: myco/newaccount (all small letters)
  • Select System in the menu at the top.
  • Change User -A- Password to a maximun 10 digit alphanumeric of your choice (e.g. Mypass4).
  • 2nd step - Login to set the Initial Accounting Period
  • Login with the account/password combination: myco/Mypass4
  • Select System in the menu at the top.
  • Set the Initial Accounting Period for this new company. This is the period in which you will begin entry of transactions. Once the Initial Accounting Period has been set, it can't be changed!.

The new Login is now setup and ready to:

  • Setup passwords for other users as needed.
  • Edit the Sales Tax settings.
  • Setup other System level options for this company.
  • Enter Inventory Items with beginning On Hand Quantities and Costs .
  • Enter Customer/Client Accounts.
  • Post Adjustments to Customer/Client Accounts to record beginning account balances.
  • Enter Vendor Accounts.
  • Begin posting of transactions.

Security Notes

Security is probably less of a consideration on a local area network installation, than on an installation on the Internet. It is still a good idea to observe some or all the following recommendations for all installations. On an Internet installation, all these security recommendations should be followed.

  • Assign each user a different password.
  • Limit access to all program and data files via file permissions.
  • Run a secure (https) web server.
  • If you are not the only person writing cgi scripts on the server, use the Apache suexec feature to prevent other cgi writers from accessing your files.

Backup Notes

The data for each Login is contain in a single file as explained the the Creating A New Login section above. Make sure this file is backed up on a regular basis. All systems eventually fail. Be prepared.