Custom Programming Suspended

[km]

I am no longer taking any requests for custom programming, and will not be able to update or adapt previous custom versions to the latest HTR2 upgrade. The difficulty of re-inserting a custom application into a newer HTR2 version, particularly the current one, is much too complex and time consuming and in many cases impossible.

The new HTR version coming out in July is the best ever and has expanded flexibile features, i just don't see why would anyone needs to pay me to 're-arrange the deck chairs' for a custom view.
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FOR THE CUSTOM MINDED, read on......

Our export capability combined with the comma-delimited chart file option is the window of opportunity for anyone that desires to create a custom output. Unfortunately, if you don’t have db or programming experience your options are very limited. Good programmers are terribly expensive ($75 - $200/hr) if you can find a reliable one, let alone someone that knows anything about horse racing.

Some of our members like Donnie and MikeDee have created custom apps for themselves and others. But i think i can speak for them and say that they, like me, would have no desire to work on a major project for someone else at any price. It is too frustrating, time consuming and requires incredible amounts of follow up and beta test.

That last part is something that most people don't think about. I'm currently working with Rick and some of our veteran members (below) on beta testing for the updated Robot and HX4. They find hidden bugs and problems that i would never think about. The follow-up testing time on a new software takes at least twice as long as the actual development.

Thank you Ernie, MikeDee, JBshoulda, Daven and Rick for your help so far on this new version. They are the reason we get a 99.9% bug free program when it is released.

[njcurveball]

Totally understood Ken. My friend at work today was complaining about the new Office 2007 interface and why they don't allow a "classic" view. I reminded him that it is the same as OUR DAILY JOB and maintaining all of that old code can be a nightmare.

My only request would be that in the future the RS POS numbers and other HDW factors be incorporated into an export for HTR. They are valuable from a spot play and pace projection standpoint (at a minimum) and there currently are not any other factors in HTR that mimic their peformance.

My testing has found the RPSR rankings is the same as RPFIG ranking in HX4. So the PSR information is already incorporated into HTR.

Once again thanks for all you do Ken!

Jim

[DanG]

I remember when the text of the K’s export field was changed and the ripple effect it had in about 9,000 different custom places. I was running around like an idiot; or should I say so more so then usual. :p

I can’t IMAGINE doing something on HTR’s scale and having many different versions floating around.

I remember when one minor bug was identified Ken sent out a fix to those fanatics interested. The one he sent me had one minor difference with the TRCH field and when I mentioned it to him he apologized saying it was another custom version that he sent by mistake.

I’m thinking…just how many versions is this poor guy balancing on his desk? I would go completely full metal jacket if I had all that on my plate. :eek:

Having said all that; as always…can’t wait for the updates; they always surprise and lead to many discoveries.

Thanks for everything and one suggestion if I may; make some time for another thing your great at…Betting fast horses! :cool:

[tomcat]

Understood!

[dehere]

Maybe everyone if fine with this but, then again, maybe some folks are worried about what to do now with their special exports. For me, at least, that's not to worry. I have a very little special export that Ken set up that give me "weight carried" in today's race for each entrant. I don't expect many folks to want such a thing and, in fact, DanG probably is thinking "oh, there goes henry with the thorograph stuff again". But, anyway, its nice to have IMHO. Anyway, not having Ken continue to provide this iddy biddy change in a special export for me is no big deal as I figure I can still get it with the last HX4 export that Ken set up and just grab that one feature along with any new fields that I might want from a new HX4 export that Ken might set up.

The point of this drivel is that others can probably do the same thing by keeping their old HTR program set up as a separate program and export the special stuff from that old program going forward. It might take a little bit longer but that's our problem isn't it?

Anyway, Ken, looking forward to the updates next month.

[km]

Your iddy biddy change was added month's ago to the new version of HX4 Dehere...

181 "nWEIGHT" Today's weight assignment

Yes, of course, people can use their older custom apps forever. And i'll support any bugs they encounter and perform minor tweaks if necessary. I just can't spend the time re-working 20 different applications every 6 months when i do an HTR2 update. Most of the older ones are now impossible to refit anyway.

So if i draw the line now on custom apps, i won't have to deal with this down the road. I'm also happy to take suggestions and expand the main program as I do every update, including this item for you.

[dehere]

Hotcha Ken - that's cool.

[delayjf]

Damn - and I just finalized the development of my kitchen sink adjustment. 20 years down the tubes.:D

[BillW]

Damn - and I just finalized the development of my kitchen sink adjustment. 20 years down the tubes.:D

We'll have to discuss this at the GC bar in a few weeks. :p