Handifast is Growing Up

[Handiman]

Something has been whispering in my ear lately. I think it was daddy come back. So I broke out ole handifast the last few days and started looking at it again. I did some testing based off of some ideas I got from Dave S. P&P work.

Went to our local OTB yesterday and doubled my days bankroll. Hit a $36 horse at Golden Gate. Raining today so stayed home and played on paper. Hit $58 winner at Fairgrounds. and some other very nice ones. But this is not about yesterday or today....it would sound like red boarding anyway.

What is significant, I have been inspired to upgrade Handifast. I don't know if anyone is still using the program, but I am going to change it a bit. I don't know how successful I will be, but I'm going to try.

Plans are:
1. Allow user to create setups for different distances and surfaces. Right now only 1 setup per track and all races are run off that setup.
2. Going to try and setup database capabilities.
A. This is going to take a lot of work cause there are 21 categories with point totals from 0 to 50. I believe that translates to 21 raised to the 50th power. That number is huge. So the plan as of right now is to let the user create a setup and then build a database and let the program spit out how the top 4 contenders do. At least that is the plan right now.

Not sure how long the database thing is going to take me, but going to try and do the new setup thing first.

So there it is.

Handi

[dartman51]

Great to hear that you haven't given up on it Handi. I always thought HF had promise, just not enough consistency. But, more important than that, it's good that you feel well enough to get back to the GRIND, that I know it can be, trying to smooth the wrinkles in your "baby". Good luck, and keep us posted.

TS

[TBred17Roan]

I've been using Handifast as an additional tool for a few years now and with a little tweaking it does a good job getting its top choice in the money better than most programs. I'll be watching for any updates and thanks for a nice product.

[headhawg]

Handi,

Are you going to try to interface the LB code with a db engine like Sqllite or just store the output in files? Or are you using a different language altogether? I am just curious as I know that interfacing with a db is a big weakness of LB.

Good luck with your endeavor. I have meaning to get back to writing code (I have had some ideas for updating HHX) but I just haven't had the time over the last year and a half or so. I am interested in seeing how this new project turns out.

HH

[Fingal]

Originally Posted by TBred17Roan

I've been using Handifast as an additional tool for a few years now and with a little tweaking it does a good job getting its top choice in the money better than most programs. I'll be watching for any updates and thanks for a nice product.

Same thing as it's a large part of my preparations for the day. And yes, your efforts through the different versions are most appreciated.

[Vinnie]

Handi

Very pumped that you haven't given up on Handifast. I have used several of the versions of Handifast since you folks created the original versions and I have found them each to be "Outstanding" in their own way. I appreciate all that you and Doug and Headhawg have done with the versions of software that you have created for Handifast to date.

I only wish you continued excellent health as well Handi...

[Handiman]

Thanks guys. Debugging an upgrade right now. New code allows the user to create a custom setting for Sprint dirt, sprint turf, Route dirt and route turf.


Head,
Not sure what I'm going to do with the db part. I will think about that after I get this update ready to go.

Handi

[cklv]

Hi Handi,

So glad to hear you are planning to upgrade Handifast. I often used the program in screening my top 4 choices. The idea of constructing the program to calculate the results against the files and building a database would be a dedicated undertaking and set this program apart in many ways. Thanks for all your effort. I hope you are feeling stronger and having a lot of "good" days.

cklv

[Handiman]

I believe the Handifast upgrade will be ready for release tonight or tomorrow morning. But don't have a place to make it accessible. Maybe Doug or PA will step up and give me a spot to put it.

Handi

[AAcoolguy]

Waiting with baited breath!

[acorn54]

what site can i download handifast?

[Handiman]

Not quite ready but almost. Need to hear from Doug or PA as they provide the location to download the programs.

Handi

[raybo]

Originally Posted by Handiman

Not quite ready but almost. Need to hear from Doug or PA as they provide the location to download the programs.

Handi

Why not build your own website, upload your files there and people can go there to download it. That's what I did with AllData, using weebly.com. It's free and easy to build the site.

Just a thought.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Handiman

Not quite ready but almost. Need to hear from Doug or PA as they provide the location to download the programs.

Handi

Did you email the zip to me? We can create a sticky thread here where you can download the program...

[Handiman]

I will tomorrow when it's ready. Thanks PA.

Ray I'm too lazy to mess with a website.


Handi