database mining

[ALL CIRCUITS GO]

I have decided to try mining past results for nuggets. I don't want to spend alot of money setting up a database, and I want to have something thats relatively user friendly. I have worked with excel and access before in a limited way. any recommendations as to source material, database program, and search ideas?

thanks

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by ALL CIRCUITS GO

I don't want to spend alot of money setting up a database, and I want to have something thats relatively user friendly.

The above statement is completely contradictory to your stated goal.

[njcurveball]

Originally Posted by ALL CIRCUITS GO

I don't want to spend alot of money setting up a database, and I want to have something thats relatively user friendly.

HTR has a robot function you can use immediately and HDW allows you to download 45 days. That is a pretty good start. $129 a month buys all the tracks in North America, including results. Which is amazing when the Racing Form costs $7 a day and charts cost extra.

If you are a multi track player it is very cost effective. If you are looking to cut corners and still compete with the large operations you are going to be at a big disadvantage.

BOL!
Jim

[JBmadera]

Originally Posted by njcurveball

HTR has a robot function you can use immediately and HDW allows you to download 45 days. That is a pretty good start. $129 a month buys all the tracks in North America, including results. Which is amazing when the Racing Form costs $7 a day and charts cost extra.

If you are a multi track player it is very cost effective. If you are looking to cut corners and still compete with the large operations you are going to be at a big disadvantage.

BOL!
Jim

Was going to post the exact same thing - I love Robot, super easy to use and very cost effective.

[Tom]

What I like best about Robot is you can get the short term trends while they are still there - I want to see what is going on the last few weeks at a specific track.

[ALL CIRCUITS GO]

I appreciate the answers... I downloaded HTR, and I can see its gonna require some effort on my part to understand the functions available. I still need to get some data. Thats my next project for this weekend.

thanks again to all who responded.

[CBedo]

On the database side, you can't beat MySQL from a cost standpoint--free. There are also lots of free graphical interfaces if you want to use one. Also, there are many add-on packages (some free, some not) for data analysis, mining, and reporting.