Poll: What software?

[JimG]

What software do you currently use?

Also, feel free to make comments on those on this list you have tried in the past.


Jim

[baravot]

Hi JimG,

Don't know if it's too late to do this, but it might be interesting to put a slot in for "I don't use software" and maybe another for "I use homegrown software."

[PaceGuy]

What about those of us who have written our own software?

[thoroughbred]

Naturally, <g>, I use CompuTrak.

[JimG]

I realize alot of folks out there write their own software or use none at all but I was interested in users of commercial software. So far I find the results quite interesting. 7 of 10 are currently using HSH and there are no current users of any of the BRIS software.

From the notes on this board, I expected HTR to be the most popular.


Please keep voting.


Jim

[GR1@HTR]

Looks like htr and hsh added 1 user in last couple of months...

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=165&highlight=Software

[Lefty]

I use HSH and really like the fact that Dave has added
datbase capabilities within the prgm without having to
buy and learn a complicated database prgm such as access. Don't have the time or patience for that. I have
used AllINONE and it's pretty decent and has the best
manual i've ever seen. It creates its own oddsline and
also has a modeler. The modeler is automatic when
you download and it's only a 1 factor at a time modeler
I've used HTR on a most limited basis and think it's one
of the top prgms but although you can use the 1 factor
at a time modeler i'd like to try database handicapping
and as I said don't want to learn Access.
I've used HTRF but really didn't do well with it but
hasten to add I know a couple people who did.
So it's HSH for me.

[tedwin]

One rather obvious exclusion from the list: Handicapping Magician

[JimG]

Your right Tedwin...wish I would have included Handicapping Magician....my oversight.


I am amazed still at the lack of support for the Bris programs on this board. I have always been under the impression that many people use these programs. I know at my local OTB I have seen various Bris-type printouts. I have never seen an HTR or HSH printout at the track or OTB.

Thanks to all that are voting.


Jim

[andicap]

I use the BRIS reports for my own homegrown program written for me. their pace figures are respectable which is all I need. the program basically works as a calcuator.

[Myhorse1]

You should have included a space for "None of the Above". I for one use another software that probabably no one else uses.

Myhorse1

[karlskorner]

Myhorse1

I'll bite. What's the name of your program ?

Karl

[JimG]

Just wanted to thank everyone who voted and posted in this topic. It is interesting to note that HSH has the most votes even though it is one of the few that requires an up-front payment.

It is definitely a good piece of software.


Jim

[Myhorse1]

karlscorner:

Karl, I developed this software myself and two other handicappers, one of which is a professional player, spent a year and 1/2 working with a programmer and about $15,000 in expenses. I marketed the program to sell for $330.00 with high hopes of selling enough to cover expenses.
No such luck, I sold 11 programs, I found out that with everyone giving their software away and making their money selling the files, I didn't have a chance.
I finally gave up, took the program off the market, and I sell it just by word of mouth at present. I use the program myself, and I still get good reports from some of the users that purchased the program.

Advice to anyone trying to sell their own software, Forget it unless you have a marketing program and lots of money to advertise, plus the patience to support the program to people that tried the 30 trial and didn't have the brains to pour piss out of a boot.

My horse1

[FortuneHunter]

Myhorse1:

Did your software make selections?

Did you track the performance of the selections?

If so, can you share that with us?

Did you consider "giving" your Handicapping Software away free and having a Website where customers download "custom" data files for a minimal cost? $2.00 per racecard, or say $20 a month unlimited.

[NoDayJob]

I notice NONE OF THE ABOVE is missing -NDJ

[thoroughbred]

Originally posted by Myhorse1
karlscorner:

Karl, I developed this software myself and two other handicappers, one of which is a professional player, spent a year and 1/2 working with a programmer and about $15,000 in expenses. I marketed the program to sell for $330.00 with high hopes of selling enough to cover expenses.
No such luck, I sold 11 programs, I found out that with everyone giving their software away and making their money selling the files, I didn't have a chance.
I finally gave up, took the program off the market, and I sell it just by word of mouth at present. I use the program myself, and I still get good reports from some of the users that purchased the program.

Advice to anyone trying to sell their own software, Forget it unless you have a marketing program and lots of money to advertise, plus the patience to support the program to people that tried the 30 trial and didn't have the brains to pour piss out of a boot.

My horse1

I faced similar problems when I developed CompuTrak. But there was a fortunate circumstance. What happened may be of use to you.

I was only interested in writing an engineering paper applying engineering mathematics to horses. During the research I called many sources for information about things that I needed to know.

Later, after I put paper away, I got a call from "Today's Racing Digest." They were interested in puplishing one of the outputs of CompuTrak on a dailly basis. Since they didn't really know me they asked that I send my program to the "Phillips Racing Newsletter" for an independent evaluation.

I did that, and CompuTrak was rated extremely high, i.e., 8.5, which was great in those days. They showed that they made 97% profit in 152 consecutive racesf at Santa Anita, betting flat $2.00 Win bets. They hit 36% winners.

Anyway, to make a long story short, when that appeared in Phillips, the phone rang off the hook and many people wrote to me. As a result I decided to upgrade what I had used for my engineering paper, and market the program. I call the program CompuTrak.

So, my suggestion to you is to send your program to Phillips, and if they rate it highly, you will have essentially solved your advertising/marketing problem.

Although this happened many years ago now, sales by word of mouth still continue, but of course, at a much lower rate than in the early years.

Giong this route can give your program a shot in the arm as far as sales are concerned.

[Myhorse1]

FortuneHunter:

Good Idea, but the economics of it don't add up for the small seller. The daily "Tape" from Equibase costs from $200-300/day that contains all the tracks.

Then, the encription has to be added to the software, and the encription to the Past Performances, and all of this costs money.
If you would sell your PP's for $20/month, you would need 375 users on your site just to break even. It probably would take 6 months or so to get this amount of subscriber's, so the investment to get this up and running would be about $30,500, with no guarantees on success.

Now do you understand? It only takes money. Why should I try to enlighten others at great risk of monitary losses. Why not take my program to the track and make the money that I usually do with little risk, other than the normal risk of mutuel investments.

MyHorse1

[Myhorse1]

Throughbred:

Now that Idea is a good one!!!. It will not cost me any money, and I could give a discount to all PNL readers. I might just sell a few.

Thanks, I will do just that.

MyHorse1

[jackad]

Where can I find information about Compu Trak?

MyHorse, where can I find information about your program?

Thanks.
Jack

[thoroughbred]

Originally posted by jackad
Where can I find information about Compu Trak?

MyHorse, where can I find information about your program?

Thanks.
Jack

You can get information about CompuTrak:

by phone: 805-962-9045

by e-mail: rpbprb@yahoo.com

by snail-mail:

Revelation Software
P.O. Box 21344
Santa Barbara, CA 93121

Thoroughbred

[Buffalo Bob]

I could be wrong, but wasn't Phillips Racing Newsletter exposed a while ago as being a scam in which the owner would "sell" high ratings to system/software sellers?

[thoroughbred]

Originally posted by Buffalo Bob
I could be wrong, but wasn't Phillips Racing Newsletter exposed a while ago as being a scam in which the owner would "sell" high ratings to system/software sellers?

You said you could be wrong. YOU ARE!

[Bob Harris]

Originally posted by Buffalo Bob
I could be wrong, but wasn't Phillips Racing Newsletter exposed a while ago as being a scam in which the owner would "sell" high ratings to system/software sellers?

Barry Meadow wrote an article in his newsletter 2-3 years ago laying out evidence of phony system workouts. There is an index of past articles at his website www.trpublishing.com if you're interested.

[Buffalo Bob]

I thought i remembered something about Phillips being involved in shady dealings. I never understood how so many programs that were worthless got 8's and 9's from them. Thanks for the update.

[Dave Schwartz]

This is from my "memory archives." I believe I have it right.

I recall when Russ Dietrich was the publisher of PRN they gave one of my products a glowing review that resulted in about 100 sales. I sent him a nice card and a check for a couple of hundred dollars as a way of saying "thank you."

Russ applied the check to my future subscription fees.

Then, a few months later, after another favorable article resulting in even more sales, I sent him several hundred dollars, inviting him to "take his wife someplace nice." It was not meant as a bribe (the article was already published) but as a thank you.

Russ sent the check back saying that it would not be proper for him to accept it.

If there are shady things going on at PRN they certainly did not happen in Russ' day.


Regards,
Dave Schwartz

[thoroughbred]

Originally posted by Dave Schwartz
This is from my "memory archives." I believe I have it right.

I recall when Russ Dietrich was the publisher of PRN they gave one of my products a glowing review that resulted in about 100 sales. I sent him a nice card and a check for a couple of hundred dollars as a way of saying "thank you."

Russ applied the check to my future subscription fees.

Then, a few months later, after another favorable article resulting in even more sales, I sent him several hundred dollars, inviting him to "take his wife someplace nice." It was not meant as a bribe (the article was already published) but as a thank you.

Russ sent the check back saying that it would not be proper for him to accept it.

If there are shady things going on at PRN they certainly did not happen in Russ' day.


Regards,
Dave Schwartz


Dave,
I agree with you. CompuTrak also was rated during Russ Dietrich's day. He was extremely honorable, and, at that time, it was more difficult to get a good rating than after. It's sad when rumors are painted with a wide brush without anyone presenting any facts.
Thanks for your post. I hate to see the reputation of a good man like Russ Dietrich maligned.

[BillW]

I've been around this game for about 6 years now and have seen PRN referenced plenty of times (mostly commercial SW ads) but I have never come across a website of print ad for it. I always assumed it was defunct. Is it still alive? Does anyone have a reference, website or otherwise? Just curious.

Thanks,

Bill

[Lefty]

It's hard to believe but they have never got into computers and don't have a website. They usually put fairly large ads in DRF on special days: Breeder's Cup, Derby etc.
They farm their S&W reviews out.
Their address:E.O. Phillips Co.
Box 5817
Auburn, CA 95604-5817

[Myhorse1]

Throughbred:

I thought I would let you know that I shipped Phillips a copy of my software for them to review. I don't know how long it takes for them to review the program, but the price is right.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Myhorse1.

My website is www.myhorse1.com

[andicap]

MYhorse, went to take a look and the link to the program screens is busted.

[Myhorse1]

Andicap:

I just tried the website and it worked for me.

Myhorse1

[njcurveball]

:bang: I also tried the link with no success.

[shrink 1]

:bang: I too have had no success getting on to that Myhorse1 link

[Lefty]

It's an old link and since he doesn't publicly sell his software anymore, i'm sure it's closed.

[ratpack]

Barry Meadow wrote an article in his newsletter 2-3 years ago laying out evidence of phony system workouts. There is an index of past articles at his website www.trpublishing.com if you're interested.

That article on the Phony system workout in Phillips was from 1996.

I was wondering how this would work. You send your program to Phillips Newsletter to be evaluated, they rate it a 8, they love it. Now how do people know that.

I know someone gave an address but who is going to keep mailing to them. I can't find them on-line.

It just seems odd not to even have a web page.

[trying2win]

RATPACK:

I'm assuming you're looking for the website of PHILLIPS RACING NEWSLETTER. If so, here it is:

http://www.phillipsracingnewsletter.htmlplanet.com

Thanks,

T2W

[ratpack]

RATPACK:

I'm assuming you're looking for the website of PHILLIPS RACING NEWSLETTER. If so, here it is:

http://www.phillipsracingnewsletter.htmlplanet.com

Thanks,

T2W

Thanks I googled it Phillips Racings Newsletter adding that s to racing really screwed me up. Thanks again.

[hurrikane]

karlscorner:

and didn't have the brains to pour piss out of a boot.

My horse1


this one is a keeper. Thanks :lol:

[Hosshead]

...
If there are shady things going on at PRN they certainly did not happen in Russ' day.
This is true.

Then when Russ passed away, his son took over, and that's when everything changed. Instead of just evualuating other systems, he figured out he could make more money selling his own systems, which of course always got a very high "rating".
I wouldn't trust anything PRN says, and if you've ever bought any of their high rated systems (since the son took over) you know what I mean.
BUT:
Just by the laws of chance, it's possible that a quality system could end up going through the Philliups Racing Newsletter "high rating process".

PRN has been riding on, (and taking advantage of) Russ' integrity, for a long time.
And yes Barry Meadows did expose the shady doings of PRN, since the "new management" took over.

[traynor]

Hosshead wrote: <Then when Russ passed away, his son took over, and that's when everything changed. Instead of just evualuating other systems, he figured out he could make more money selling his own systems, which of course always got a very high "rating". >

Agreed. The point should be made that the son took over a LONG time ago (more than 10 years, possibly 15?), and many of the "ratings" generated since that time are--to be really kind--"highly suspect." Claiming a high rating from Phillips could be counter-productive for a developer; regardless of the value of the application, the impression of "tainted goods" is hard to shake.
Good Luck

[takeout]

this one is a keeper. Thanks :lol:
“with directions on the heel” is also sometimes added. :D