JustCoolGene
10-15-2009, 07:07 PM
Hello PaceAdvantage,
I have followed this forum for many years and I decided to become a new member due to the great concern members have shown regarding cancellation of the unlimited TSN Advantage Plan. I see a possible solution to these concerns that will ensure the future of all software developers while protecting customer investments in handicapping software.
In the early 1990’s, BRIS came out with the first DRF file at $12 each and included the Beyer fig. This file did not have any pace, class, power, Jockey, or Trainer ratings. You had to buy a second file to get the program number and morning line. Trackmaster then immediately followed and offered customers a free utility program called Axlate which converted Trackmaster Basic, Plus, or PP data files into BRIS files containing either a single or multiple file format. Axlate was very slow and its converted DRF files also did not include the program number or morning line. Randy Kovach, who developed A-Odds and Workhorse Pro, solved Axlate’s shortcomings by creating a very fast converter that included both the program number and morning line. Trackmaster then came out with the first unlimited subscription plan while BRIS stayed with the “pay per file” for many years until 2002 when they launched the TSN Advantage Plan. Handicapping software users had real choices as to which data vendors they could use. You could use either Trackmaster or BRIS data files with all early handicapping software such as A-Odds, MPH, ALLinONE, Contenders, Focus, Sartin, etc. You can still buy DRF files from either source; however, Trackmaster DRF still doesn't include pace, power ratings, or trainer/jockey stats.
Today, much of the newer software depends on power, class, pace, par, race ratings, and Jockey/Trainer stats. These ratings only exist in MultiCaps or ProCaps files. Chruchill Downs owns BRIS/TSN and is the only provider of the files needed in newer software. They can cancel unlimited-use subscriptions, stop taking new subscriptions, raise pricing, and control which data goes into the files we need to run our software. BRIS will grandfather current TSN Advantage Plan subscribers over until the end of 2010. Are people going to make major investments in software without knowing the price, quality, and availability of files in the future? We must regain control over the data files and the use of our handicapping software
BRIS and Churchill Downs do not have a monopoly on data files. They do not have any exclusive rights to the field structure within these files. Their rights only extend to the proprietary figures within the file such as speed, class, pace, power, etc. Any data vender such as TrackMaster, PostTimeDaily, or Handicappers Daily Warehouse can use their own data to create a Procaps type file which includes the same 1400+ fields. These vendors can include their own proprietary, speed, pace, class, race, par, power, and trainer/jockey ratings. They can offer “unlimited use plans” at any price.
MultiCaps/ProCaps files have many fields titled “reserved for future use”. These blank fields were originally installed in the first DRF file and continued into the current file structures. Our software has always read these blank fields. We can only imagine how these new data providers will use these blank fields. These upgraded MultiCaps/ProCaps files can be imported into existing versions of JCapper, Aplus, MPH, Pops&Tips, Powerline, Sartin, Contenders, URTI, Speed Handicapper, CJ’s, and all the RPM software to name a few. If I didn’t name your software, I am sorry; I just used a few names off the top of my head.
We could have better speed, pace, class, power, breeding, trainer, and jockey ratings. Your current hancicapping programs will produce much better results. We could have superior program and results files at competitive prices. Your software investment will be protected and your ROI increased. Imagine better results and cheaper prices due to competition.
I hope my first post gives software developers and users belief in a brighter future.
God Bless All,
Gene
I have followed this forum for many years and I decided to become a new member due to the great concern members have shown regarding cancellation of the unlimited TSN Advantage Plan. I see a possible solution to these concerns that will ensure the future of all software developers while protecting customer investments in handicapping software.
In the early 1990’s, BRIS came out with the first DRF file at $12 each and included the Beyer fig. This file did not have any pace, class, power, Jockey, or Trainer ratings. You had to buy a second file to get the program number and morning line. Trackmaster then immediately followed and offered customers a free utility program called Axlate which converted Trackmaster Basic, Plus, or PP data files into BRIS files containing either a single or multiple file format. Axlate was very slow and its converted DRF files also did not include the program number or morning line. Randy Kovach, who developed A-Odds and Workhorse Pro, solved Axlate’s shortcomings by creating a very fast converter that included both the program number and morning line. Trackmaster then came out with the first unlimited subscription plan while BRIS stayed with the “pay per file” for many years until 2002 when they launched the TSN Advantage Plan. Handicapping software users had real choices as to which data vendors they could use. You could use either Trackmaster or BRIS data files with all early handicapping software such as A-Odds, MPH, ALLinONE, Contenders, Focus, Sartin, etc. You can still buy DRF files from either source; however, Trackmaster DRF still doesn't include pace, power ratings, or trainer/jockey stats.
Today, much of the newer software depends on power, class, pace, par, race ratings, and Jockey/Trainer stats. These ratings only exist in MultiCaps or ProCaps files. Chruchill Downs owns BRIS/TSN and is the only provider of the files needed in newer software. They can cancel unlimited-use subscriptions, stop taking new subscriptions, raise pricing, and control which data goes into the files we need to run our software. BRIS will grandfather current TSN Advantage Plan subscribers over until the end of 2010. Are people going to make major investments in software without knowing the price, quality, and availability of files in the future? We must regain control over the data files and the use of our handicapping software
BRIS and Churchill Downs do not have a monopoly on data files. They do not have any exclusive rights to the field structure within these files. Their rights only extend to the proprietary figures within the file such as speed, class, pace, power, etc. Any data vender such as TrackMaster, PostTimeDaily, or Handicappers Daily Warehouse can use their own data to create a Procaps type file which includes the same 1400+ fields. These vendors can include their own proprietary, speed, pace, class, race, par, power, and trainer/jockey ratings. They can offer “unlimited use plans” at any price.
MultiCaps/ProCaps files have many fields titled “reserved for future use”. These blank fields were originally installed in the first DRF file and continued into the current file structures. Our software has always read these blank fields. We can only imagine how these new data providers will use these blank fields. These upgraded MultiCaps/ProCaps files can be imported into existing versions of JCapper, Aplus, MPH, Pops&Tips, Powerline, Sartin, Contenders, URTI, Speed Handicapper, CJ’s, and all the RPM software to name a few. If I didn’t name your software, I am sorry; I just used a few names off the top of my head.
We could have better speed, pace, class, power, breeding, trainer, and jockey ratings. Your current hancicapping programs will produce much better results. We could have superior program and results files at competitive prices. Your software investment will be protected and your ROI increased. Imagine better results and cheaper prices due to competition.
I hope my first post gives software developers and users belief in a brighter future.
God Bless All,
Gene