RDSS on Apple Mac / Tablets

[vderdak]

I'm just curious if anyone is running RDSS on an Apple Mac. I'm considering one of the Air Macs for it's size and weight and wondering if anyone has had any isssus with the program. Thanks!

[Ted Craven]

Vince,

There's a bunch of discussion on this. Do a Google Site Search (http://www.rdss2.com/google-sitesearch) on 'rdss on apple mac' for previous discussions.

Also, members Wagercapper and Telegony are Mac/RDSS users and can give you their specific detailed experiences, and perhaps others as well. Try a PM, or perhaps they will see this and post a reply.

As I understand it, RDSS works quite well on a Mac. It does needs Windows to be running on the Mac and there are several ways to accomplish this.

Good luck!

Ted

[vderdak]

Thanks Ted!!!!!!!!

[lightspeed2011]

Hi,

I have an older intel Imac w/10.6. I run RDSS in Win XP with VirtualBox (free). On the XP side I added Bullzip to print in PDF to bring back to mac side. Created a Mac disk image (Mac OS Extended journaled) where I keep XP stuff which I mount at startup. It is mounted in XP as network drive, so I can move stuff back and forth.

Bob

[dirty moose]

Can you run RDSS on any sort of tablets? Android or Ipad?

[Ted Craven]

Can you run RDSS on any sort of tablets? Android or Ipad?

Hi Moose! RDSS requires Microsoft Windows (XP or later) to run. So - any tablet capable of running, for example, Windows 8 or 7 runs RDSS beautifully. I use a MS Surface Pro, running Windows 8.

Since RDSS requires Windows, and since iPad and Android tablets do not run Windows, RDSS will not run natively on these tablets. For iPad and Android tablets, you can use a remote connection tool such as TeamViewer or Logmein to connect remotely to your other computers running Windows (your home computer or a cloud server), and thus view RDSS actually running on that other computer, not running on your non-Windows tablet. it's a great concept, though unsatisfying in practise: trying to run a remote copy of Windows on a device not optimized for Windows has been frustrating for me, though others do make it work. it's a compromise.

Yet others simply make screenshots of their readouts in PDF or Word or Excel documents and transfer them to their tablet or phone for use at the track. Albeit static reports, but something portable.

I can highly recommend a Windows tablet for running RDSS (there are many models). It also displays quite well on an external monitor when you simply need to use it at home at your desk.

Ted

[dirty moose]

Thanks for your response Ted! That's good news for me, I don't own a tablet and I'm in the market for one. (Mainly for track use) What would you recommend to run RDSS on the go?

[Ted Craven]

Moose, I have hands-on experience with the MS Surface Pro and I can recommend it. However there are other very nice Windows tablets coming or here from Lenovo (Yoga), Asus, Acer, Dell and more. Simply google 'Windows tablets'

Be aware, there is a new low-power, higher performance Intel chip just now hitting supply streams, formerly named 'Haswell' and now a variation of the Intel i3, i5, i7 series. If you can hold out over the next few months, you will begin to see ads and reviews for Windows tablets with these new chips from a variety of vendors, and also from Microsoft for a Surface Mark II. Then again, you can always wait for something better - you just have to decide when to jump on board with what's current ...

If you want to know anything more specific about the Surface Pro as regards RDSS (or any other Windows software) just shout. I am attempting an experiment where it becomes my primary computer, including multiple external monitors, mouse keyboard, disk storage extension, encryption, etc. We'll see how it goes. I have (fever) dreams of perhaps reducing my entire office to a tablet, cell phone and travel bag. Today Huntsville, tomorrow Tahiti :)

Ted

[dirty moose]

Does it run smoothly on the MS Surface?
Also what kind of internet connections does it have?
I really don't know much about tablets. I know that some offer internet connection on a per monthly basis as well as wifi. What do you use?

I'd love to have everything run off a tablet so you can just pick up and go. But the only tablet I've played with (ipad) doesn't allow that. It's very limited.

[Ted Craven]

Yes, quite smoothly, better than my previous computer (4 YO Dell notebook & Win Vista). It runs the same as ANY mobile computer running Windows 8 Pro with the same hardware: 4 Gb memory, 180 Gb SSD (solid-state drive), 1080p screen resolution (1920 x 1080 and lower), 1 USB3 and 1 HDMI port (you can check the specs online). The SSD makes it feel VERY fast (and quiet). I got the tactile keyboard/cover and it works quite well when needed. The pointing 'stylus' is a good mobile replacement for a mouse.

For daily desktop use, I got a docking station (Toshiba Dynadock) connected via the USB3 port to run a pair of 24" monitors (could run 4 monitors) on extra HDMI, VGA and DVI ports, more USB 3 and USB2 ports and Bluetooth or USB keyboard and mouse. Just pull out the USB cable and the tablet is portable.

When mobile and using RDSS, the battery life is slender - my biggest complaint, about 4 hours depending on usage. You can't get a second battery (you can't open the computer, like the iPad).

These initial Surfaces have no 3 or4 G connectivity (cellular) - only Wifi. That works well for me: 90% of the time it sits on my desk, and while traveling I tether it to my cell phone so Wifi there or at public locations. Other Windows tablets may have built-in cellular and how you add that to existing phone data plans varies by carrier. Other existing or future tablets may offer built-in cellular.

Everything you do with a Windows notebook or Ultrabook, you can do with this tablet. I don't fully enjoy running RDSS in the lower resolution required to actually see things on the tablet screen (full 1920 x 1080 is too small for comfort, though perfect for a large external monitor). So you scale the screen res down to make things larger and you get only the 2 panel layout in RDSS, while I am most used to and much prefer the 3 panel view (i.e. 2 panels of horse info with Analysis panel at the bottom). But it works fine (still gets the winners ;)).

I don't use the 'Modern UI' much at all, just for browsing using the Win8 version of MS Internet Explorer 10. Mostly, my Surface runs a better version of the Windows 7 Desktop (aka Windows 8).

Definitely check out the other new Windows 8 tablets on offer and compare pricing and specs. I'm sure with newer processors and form factors, battery life should improve, and NEED TO to make these kinds of mobile computers the best they can be for office and mobile handicapping productivity.

Good luck!

Ted

[dirty moose]

Wow Ted great response! Thank you for taking the time out to answer my questions! And that pretty much answered them all.

Also my RDSS evaluation is coming to an end. Do I just send pay pal over to you?

[Ted Craven]

Moose,

Just use the Subscription button on the RDSS Desktop. It takes you to the web page with the PayPal button on it (or www.rdss2.com/subscription)

Hope the eval period went well for you. Let us have a few comments, for better or worse! For optimal learning, why not consider sharing a race or 2, and your pre-race analysis and any questions for the group.

(If you can do the Subscription tonight, I'll get to it tonight, otherwise if I'm not too drugged out, Sunday or Monday ... ;)).

All the best!

Ted

[dirty moose]

Lol Don't sweat it, just get some rest and get well soon. I have a few days left on the evaluation anyway. I'll send it over the weekend. Do you prefer pay pal?

[dirty moose]

Also I will try and do a post with my though process (if I can figure it out lol) The biggest thing for me who came into this with no knowledge whatsoever of Sartin or RDSS was and still is to an extent; figuring out what all the abbreviations meant. I look at the glossary A lot. I would like to see a more extensive glossary.

I have a great teacher at the moment though (LT1) who pretty much answers every Q I have about RDSS and racing in general.

[dirty moose]

Hey Ted, how ya feeling? I just sent payment over. Hope your doing better each day!

[Ted Craven]

Hey Ted, how ya feeling? I just sent payment over. Hope your doing better each day!

Matt, feeling better and better, though reaching the edge of my typing ability today :eek:

THANK YOU for the subscription- please see the email I sent you. And thank you to LT1 - Doc Sartin thought your new friend was one of the best handicappers he knew and said so publicly in a few Follow Up journals (and if he's too shy to say which ones, just ask me ;))

Maybe next week we can hook up and I can help you understand any remaining terms or their inter-relationship or usage which you are still fuzzy about. Until then,

All the best,

Ted

[dirty moose]

Yes that sounds great Ted, I'd really appreciate that! As for our buddy LT, he's been great. There's not a question I ask that he doesn't have an answer for.

I hope you feeling more and more better by the day. Get well soon!
Matt