BizRatchet Basic

WARNING: This is the future TurtleSoft website, in very undeveloped form! Many top links will not work yet.

BizRatchet is an upgrade/replacement for Goldenseal estimating/accounting software. It is a 64-bit app that runs on any Windows computer with Windows 10 or 11.

BizRatchet does the same things as Goldenseal, but it looks a little different. We think it's an improvement!

Here's a listing of current bugs and their status.

To install BizRatchet beta version, follow these steps:

1. Download the compressed zip file from this link.
2. Double-click on the icon to decompress the folder.
3. Drag the BizRatchet folder to the Applications folder or some other convenient location.
4. Double-click the BizRatchet icon to open it.NOTE: You can create a shortcut to the app to make it easier to launch. Do not change any of the other folder contents: BizRatchet needs them to run.

If you are already using Goldenseal, follow these steps:

1. If your Goldenseal company file does not have a .glds suffix, add it. NOTE: You may need to revert the file name later to continue using it with Goldenseal.
2. Launch BizRatchet if it's not running already.
3. Open your Goldenseal company file.
4. It will ask if you want to convert it to the new format. Click OK.
5. Don’t update dates (that’s just for the our use on the demo).
6. Enter a name and location for the new file, and save it.
7. BizRatchet will move your data to the new file, and convert it to the new format. NOTE: If there is damaged data in the Goldenseal file, you may get an error message. Click OK and BizRatchet will fix what it can, then continue the conversion. The log will show any errors.
8. When the conversion is complete, Exit, then open the new file with BizRatchet. The Goldenseal file will remain unchanged.
9. If you get error messages or lose any data, please contact us so we can fix the errors.

Here are guides to help Goldenseal users make the switch:

• Converting Goldenseal Files
• Accounting Changes
• Interface Changes
• Menu Changes
• Technical Changes
• Other Quirks and Changes

WARNING: The BizRatchet file format is not locked yet. Data saved in the current version will not open properly in future versions. We plan to lock the file format in the next update (December 2025).

If you are new, follow these steps:

1. Download and unzip the sample file, which includes data for a fake company (optional).
2. You can play with the sample file as long as you like. Seeing actual data helps make the app more understandable.
3. Download and unzip the construction starter file, which has unit cost and some other setup details. Otherwise it is empty.
4. Rename the file to your company name, or whatever else makes sense to you.
5. Launch BizRatchet, and open the file.
6. Enter your own data, and start exploring the app!

WARNING: We do not plan to lock the file format until the November 2025 release. Data saved in the current version may give errors in future versions.

Future Answers Directory