Form Master software

[SYLichfield]

Hello everyone, this is my second attempt at my first post!! Dont know what went wrong there.

I searched this site for posts about the old Form Master software, and was pleased to see some interest, albeit from 2008. Some of the comments and interest just seemed to peter out so maybe this will revive things.

I have a copy of the software for the old Psion Organiser, but more importantly I also have the source code for the programme, so that if there are any suggestions about bringing the software up to date for the 21st century, or suggestions about how best to streamline input maybe now is a good time. I think I would be happy to share the source code for the mutual benefit of all members, obviously for no charge.

Every one of us is looking for success and this software does work and the system has worked successfully since the 1940’s, but its the old old question of tedious input in busy lives.

If any one is interested in making sensible comments or suggestions, I am happy to listen and share.

[Dolus]

Hi SYlichfield

I am probably one of the people who contributed to that thread you mentioned.

I bought the

Form Master

software for the ZX Spectrum back in the Eighties. As it was written in BASIC it was quite easy to get it to run on other platforms and I converted to the Amstrad 6128 and the PC.

The input was incredibly tedious but it was capable of producing winners.

(Entering the last three form figures covered 10 pages in the manual, it really was that detailed.)

It should still work today except for one flaw. The minimum level of prize money was set at £4,000 (£10,0000 for some race types). This is completely out of whack now and that section would need updating. I would imagine that the best way to bring it up to date would be to rewrite it to automatically download the necessary data from racing websites.

Now if only this was America where there are a couple of firms supplying raw data for use in racing programs commercial and home made.

[SYLichfield]

Thanks Dolus

As a matter of interest I rated just the one race today, the 505 at Goodwood and the clear top rated was Picabo alas a non runner. However the 2nd rated was My Sharona which did oblige. I think I might give the old system a go again and try to stay focused. Tomorrows race will be the 245 at Goodwood I reckon.

Did you have the source code for the programme? I reckon you must have if you ran it on a different machine. Some inputs could be coded to avoid having to manually do so each time but I’m loathe to alter much as it clearly works.

Please continue your comments if you’re interested.

Cheers,

Steve

[SYLichfield]

Sorry Dolus, another after thought!, you said you had used Form Master on a PC. I am assuming this was pre-Windows?

I’ve just rated up the 320 at Goodwood tomorrow and it goes:-

Regal Realm 115
I’m So Glad 109
Boom and Bust 108

Cheers

Steve

[Dolus]

Yes you are right Steve, I ran Form Master in Qbasic on the PC in a DOS Box.

I considered having a go at the Goodwood race and even printed out a data sheet to fill in, until I realised that I would have to keep referring to the manual to answer the questions and it would take in the region of an hour plus to get the ratings so decided to give it a miss. I just don’t seem to have the patience to do this any more.

Albert

[Have fun]

Hi steve
Have you stopped this now or are you changing bits of it and testing it

Have fun

[SYLichfield]

Well now "Hae fun" it’s the old, old story of having enough time. What gets to me is having a few "no shows" when one is convinced that a horse should have done better, and I lose heart…….again. But maybe that’s just racing? We’re all looking for that elusive simple system aren’t we?

[Author]

Posts