Whither RDSS? - Pace and Cap

Ted Craven · 12-30-2007, 08:03 PM

RDSS Progress Report

Well, in 2 days it will be 2 years since my old friend Guy Wadsworth passed away. I don't know whether he would laugh or cry to know that 2 years later, the project I had showed him (WinSpec? eValuator? Paladium? Spankulator

) would still not be out the door. He might think me shiftless, scatter-brained or perhaps merely subject to a too liberal Canadian political environment...

I do have several practised excuses (earning a living, travel, discouragement, it-always-takes-longer, blah, blah,blah), but in the end the story I'm sticking with goes like this:

Once upon a time... someone whispered in my ear that I could make big, easy money betting on horses, then once infected and having stumbled upon and digested everything written and sold by Doc Sartin (and everyone else), it became clear to me that what I always wanted to do was write a good piece of software to put it all together and start reaping that low-hanging fruit (or at least solving the biggest, most complex, constantly-permutating puzzle game ever invented by man).

I believe with all my heart that you get what you ask for (just be clear what that is), so in 2004 about a week after I set out to deconstruct Validator, I came upon Bindfold, then SartinAlums, then Guy, then within a few years after that reconnected with Doc again. I should have just asked for lots of money and been happy (though bored?) with that - instead, by asking to write a Sartin software program, look what has come to pass: I have learned more about the Methodology and the MatchUp than I ever did back in the day, met experienced and mind-bogglingly hard working and successful individuals with the patience of Job for record-keeping and entering data by hand or persisting with cranky old DOS software.

And not least, now at the cusp of yet another New Year, my dream project is not only being used daily by several dozen real people (many of them quite normal) betting and winning real money, but it is also getting close enough to (if not completion, let's say the initial launch state) that I taste the delicious sweetness of that dream coming true every morning I sit down to continue winnowing down the final few (hundred) items on that unruly To-Do list. (That plus the periodic weekend or evening of fun at my local electronic betting parlour/computer screen).

But though Guy has regretably stopped pestering me, that other guy in the mirror keeps demanding to know why it's taking soooo long to get this baby done. And my answer is, after thinking about all the folks who have expressed their appreciation, or paid me money, or given me handicapping lessons or tips on winners, or after hearing Doc say if he'd seen this software in 2001 he wouldn't have bothered having a stroke or a heart-attack; after meditating on all that, my answer to myself is that I'm writing this software for myself - for me, not for anyone tapping their toe (though actually, no one has expressed that to me so far). It's about the best software program I've written over 25 years of trying, it's my artistic expression for my own enjoyment whether others think it's crap or belongs in a museum, it's a kind of spiritual path: just me (and a couple of hundred onlookers). The thing is, I doubt sincerely that I could have ever got to this point (such as it is) if I had not decided to make it a public effort, to share it, to try to get Doc involved, to get TrackMaster and Equibase to co-operate in turning it into a business proposition. So I'm doing this for myself, but I couldn't do it for myself without the collective Total Energy of many of the like-minded friends and mentors I've met along the way. So, a paradox, a both-and, a yin-yang. It feels about right.

Within about the next 3 months (not necessarily in order), the following will occur with RDSS:

Result Charts, then factor models, then financial record-keeping
Printouts of Past Performances and Analysis screens
Projected Pace from Adjusted screens
Factor A (Alison)
Energy!
Control over Adjustments
Wagering Decision screen, including Toteboard feed and conditional wager uploads
Search for playable races by criterea or by your success model
Database processing and race card construction speedup
Help Documentation, Tutorials and Videos

After that, first star on the right, straight on 'till morning. Many of the foregoing are well under way or are being tested, out of sight, by a few folks, awaiting their day in the sun at the top of the To Do List (or awaiting contractual negotiations). If anyone out there wants to help more than they already are in making anything on the above list become ready, just ask and it is given.

Stop me if you've heard this one before: a horse walks into a bar after losing a photo in the 9th race and says to the programmer staring into his beer: "...just how much longer did my nose have to be?" And the guy replies: "just a little bit longer..."

Much love, appreciation and best wishes for health, happiness and prosperity in this wonderful, scary New Year 2008.

Ted

stormbringer · 12-31-2007, 12:27 PM

wow!

azbacks · 01-02-2008, 12:33 AM

Ted,

Best wishes for the New Year!!!

You have a lot to be proud of. From what I can see from the screenshots and demos, you have developed a powerful program that is also very good looking. The attention to detail and thoroughness of the different screens is above and beyond.

I wish I had programming skills to help, but I offer all the moral support I can.

Pete in AZ

chris · 01-02-2008, 02:30 AM

Ted,

Thanks for the chronology of Rdss and sharing your personal journey with us. If you were to cease any further enhancements, I believe that Rdss could stand alone just as it is now; this is a solid program that does what it promises. And for that I thank you.

Regards,
Chris

admin · 01-02-2008, 03:27 AM

Ted
Happy new year It is amazing to me that you can do this
I wish you all the best
Thanks for you support and friendship
Its been great seeing RDSS grow along the way
I am very grateful, The program makes working the races
lots of fun It allows me to work with tools from the methodology
that I never would have time to do The new features
you have planned will make it even better
You make me very happy that Docs work will go on and on for new
people

Bill

12-30-2007, 08:03 PM	#1
Ted Craven Grade 1 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 9,255	Whither RDSS? RDSS Progress Report Well, in 2 days it will be 2 years since my old friend Guy Wadsworth passed away. I don't know whether he would laugh or cry to know that 2 years later, the project I had showed him (WinSpec? eValuator? Paladium? Spankulator ) would still not be out the door. He might think me shiftless, scatter-brained or perhaps merely subject to a too liberal Canadian political environment... I do have several practised excuses (earning a living, travel, discouragement, it-always-takes-longer, blah, blah,blah), but in the end the story I'm sticking with goes like this: Once upon a time... someone whispered in my ear that I could make big, easy money betting on horses, then once infected and having stumbled upon and digested everything written and sold by Doc Sartin (and everyone else), it became clear to me that what I always wanted to do was write a good piece of software to put it all together and start reaping that low-hanging fruit (or at least solving the biggest, most complex, constantly-permutating puzzle game ever invented by man). I believe with all my heart that you get what you ask for (just be clear what that is), so in 2004 about a week after I set out to deconstruct Validator, I came upon Bindfold, then SartinAlums, then Guy, then within a few years after that reconnected with Doc again. I should have just asked for lots of money and been happy (though bored?) with that - instead, by asking to write a Sartin software program, look what has come to pass: I have learned more about the Methodology and the MatchUp than I ever did back in the day, met experienced and mind-bogglingly hard working and successful individuals with the patience of Job for record-keeping and entering data by hand or persisting with cranky old DOS software. And not least, now at the cusp of yet another New Year, my dream project is not only being used daily by several dozen real people (many of them quite normal) betting and winning real money, but it is also getting close enough to (if not completion, let's say the initial launch state) that I taste the delicious sweetness of that dream coming true every morning I sit down to continue winnowing down the final few (hundred) items on that unruly To-Do list. (That plus the periodic weekend or evening of fun at my local electronic betting parlour/computer screen). But though Guy has regretably stopped pestering me, that other guy in the mirror keeps demanding to know why it's taking soooo long to get this baby done. And my answer is, after thinking about all the folks who have expressed their appreciation, or paid me money, or given me handicapping lessons or tips on winners, or after hearing Doc say if he'd seen this software in 2001 he wouldn't have bothered having a stroke or a heart-attack; after meditating on all that, my answer to myself is that I'm writing this software for myself - for me, not for anyone tapping their toe (though actually, no one has expressed that to me so far). It's about the best software program I've written over 25 years of trying, it's my artistic expression for my own enjoyment whether others think it's crap or belongs in a museum, it's a kind of spiritual path: just me (and a couple of hundred onlookers). The thing is, I doubt sincerely that I could have ever got to this point (such as it is) if I had not decided to make it a public effort, to share it, to try to get Doc involved, to get TrackMaster and Equibase to co-operate in turning it into a business proposition. So I'm doing this for myself, but I couldn't do it for myself without the collective Total Energy of many of the like-minded friends and mentors I've met along the way. So, a paradox, a both-and, a yin-yang. It feels about right. Within about the next 3 months (not necessarily in order), the following will occur with RDSS: Result Charts, then factor models, then financial record-keeping Printouts of Past Performances and Analysis screens Projected Pace from Adjusted screens Factor A (Alison) Energy! Control over Adjustments Wagering Decision screen, including Toteboard feed and conditional wager uploads Search for playable races by criterea or by your success model Database processing and race card construction speedup Help Documentation, Tutorials and Videos After that, first star on the right, straight on 'till morning. Many of the foregoing are well under way or are being tested, out of sight, by a few folks, awaiting their day in the sun at the top of the To Do List (or awaiting contractual negotiations). If anyone out there wants to help more than they already are in making anything on the above list become ready, just ask and it is given. Stop me if you've heard this one before: a horse walks into a bar after losing a photo in the 9th race and says to the programmer staring into his beer: "...just how much longer did my nose have to be?" And the guy replies: "just a little bit longer..." Much love, appreciation and best wishes for health, happiness and prosperity in this wonderful, scary New Year 2008. Ted __________________ RDSS - Racing Decision Support System™ Last edited by Ted Craven; 12-30-2007 at 08:07 PM.

12-31-2007, 12:27 PM	#2
stormbringer Grade 1 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 432	rdss wow!

01-02-2008, 02:30 AM	#4
chris Grade 1 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Richfield, MN Posts: 182	"Rdss Progress Report" Ted, Thanks for the chronology of Rdss and sharing your personal journey with us. If you were to cease any further enhancements, I believe that Rdss could stand alone just as it is now; this is a solid program that does what it promises. And for that I thank you. Regards, Chris

01-02-2008, 03:27 AM	#5
admin Administrator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,643	Rdss Ted Happy new year It is amazing to me that you can do this I wish you all the best Thanks for you support and friendship Its been great seeing RDSS grow along the way I am very grateful, The program makes working the races lots of fun It allows me to work with tools from the methodology that I never would have time to do The new features you have planned will make it even better You make me very happy that Docs work will go on and on for new people Bill

01-02-2008, 12:33 AM	#3
azbacks Grade 1 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 226	Ted, Best wishes for the New Year!!! You have a lot to be proud of. From what I can see from the screenshots and demos, you have developed a powerful program that is also very good looking. The attention to detail and thoroughness of the different screens is above and beyond. I wish I had programming skills to help, but I offer all the moral support I can. Pete in AZ