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GT,
I used to have Computer TF and got on ok with it for my purposes, but had to switch to Race Passes when I got a new lap top (Comp TF not supported on modern equipment!). I find them very easy to use and depending on what you want, there is plenty of information there.
This is what bugs me about racing database services, Raceform Interactive too looks like it was written for Windows 3.0
They are charging top dollar for a shocking front end database app that looks like was designed and written when a 286SX was a top of the line model, not acceptable IMO.
They must think their clientèle are morons that will accept whatever dodgy crap is thrown at them.Gobro – please stop posting your successes/otherwise tips on other threads, ta. If everyone did that the place would be a mess.
Gobro – if you’re going to be a pain then we’ll be parting ways very soon so behave yourself.
(And I note that 2 forum members have responded to your plea for help if you’d care to check it out – m8)
Really don’t know how people manage to go through ‘hard’ versions of form books, I moved to electronic forms a few years ago.
I used to be a subscriber to Raceform Interactive but as others have mentioned, being charged £70 a month for something that looks as though it was designed for an old BBC computer is just not acceptable. Then of course you have the bizarre situation where RI subscribers had to make an additional payment if they wanted to subscribe to the RP website. So, I subscribed to the RP website and gave up the RI database. I don’t get to query things on their database but in terms of value for money, I don’t rate it at all. I can keep notes on horses on the RP website which automatically appear when looking at cards – that does for me.
Having said all that, I did buy Timeform’s 50 to follow the other month and enjoyed reading it. I know this sounds strange, but I didn’t buy it for the ratings, tips, predictions for classics etc. I just wanted to familiarise myself with the flat again after being immersed in the other code. Really enjoyed the style of writing and would consider buying something similar.
Thanks Smithy and Drone,
Will probably be going over to either Race Passes or Computer Timeform in the next year or so. Suspect it will be the former.
It’s interesting Computer Timeform has not increased in price. My brother is in Computer Software engineer and can’t understand why it is more expensive than Perspective (paper). As he’d be surprised if it cost Timeform more to produce Computer Timeform.
Race Passes are interesting, although I’d still probably buy Racehorses and Chasers & Hurdlers as like reading them as a preview to the coming season. I also like being able to look up any information / research at any time using back issues of Perspective. Race Passes would however, probably shorten time spent thumbing through form. On the other hand, I gather with Race Passes you pay per day? Paying for the whole day when I may only want to work out one race; seems too much.
Value Is EverythingAlways found Timeform an expensive service for what it achieves so any price increase as far as i’m concerned is unjustifiable.
If it isn’t the top rated then it’s the second top rated or the most progressive or the way you read the commentary,i usually pick a winner if i have 4 stabs at a race!
After listening to some of the rubbish spouted by one of it’s employees after Frankel’s win wouldn’t persuade me to subscribe.I used to be a subscriber to Raceform Interactive but as others have mentioned, being charged £70 a month for something that looks as though it was designed for an old BBC computer is just not acceptable. Then of course you have the bizarre situation where RI subscribers had to make an additional payment if they wanted to subscribe to the RP website.
When they charge that sort of money for the info, it should at least be a pleasurable and fluid experience using the application. At the VERY least it should be written with XP in mind as opposed to Windows 98 lol
Although I don’t bet any more, I use ‘Racing Sense’ just to keep a decent results database. The daily results, cards and decs updates are only a tenner a month, and the program and 17yr database are free to download and use. Gotta be better than £70pm for basically the same thing with third party comments thrown in.
It has plenty of nice features to keep a mere purist content, and it runs on XP too.Will probably be going over to either Race Passes or Computer Timeform in the next year or so. Suspect it will be the former.
I also like being able to look up any information / research at any time using back issues of Perspective. Race Passes would however, probably shorten time spent thumbing through form. On the other hand, I gather with Race Passes you pay per day? Paying for the whole day when I may only want to work out one race; seems too much.
What is the full Race Passes package?
As far as I can judge they are little more than ‘interactive’ race cards with click-through access to a remote formbook i.e nothing is stored on your own computer for posterity or post-race perusal
Considering Race Passes are £70 per month or a whopping £35 for seven days and Computer Timeform (NH) is £44 per month it seems to me a ‘no-brainer’ which is the better value
That said the annual CT package really should offer more flexibility. As it stands you are committed to receiving a full year’s racecards along with the ever-accumulating database (formbook). In my opinion they should offer alternative (and cheaper) options tailored to your personal betting preferences
For example, if you have no interest in betting Summer Jumps they should allow you to opt for a ‘database only’ discounted alternative for those four months which allows for the regular updating of the formbook but doesn’t permit the racecards. Likewise on the Flat if you bet the Turf but not the winter AW
Incidentally, Computer Timeform was upgraded to ‘XP standard’ in 2006 from its rather basic – but adequate – Windows 95 appearance. Personally I like uncluttered simplistic minimalism so in that respect the current layout of CT is fine ‘n’ dandy and I most certainly wouldn’t want any more bells ‘n’ whistles
GT,
It’s hard to break away from the old paper Perspective, but the time may have come!
Yes, I hate change and am reluctant to give up the tried and tested.
Couple of questions Smithy:
With the 28 day pass: If I donot
use the Race Passes one day, does it count towards those 28 days? ie can I
choose
the 28 days concerned?
Also:
Is it possible to work out two days of racing by using one of the 28 "day passses"?Value Is EverythingThat said the annual CT package really should offer more flexibility. As it stands you are committed to receiving a full year’s racecards along with the ever-accumulating database (formbook). In my opinion they should offer alternative (and cheaper) options tailored to your personal betting preferences
For example, if you have no interest in betting Summer Jumps they should allow you to opt for a ‘database only’ discounted alternative for those four months which allows for the regular updating of the formbook but doesn’t permit the racecards. Likewise on the Flat if you bet the Turf but not the winter AW
Drone,
May be you need the whole Computer Timeform package for anything to work? But if not…
Are you not allowed to pay in instalments by Direct Debit for Computer Timeform? Like I do Perspective.
There should not be anything stopping you canceling the Flat Direct Debit once Turf racing ends; and stop Jumps Direct Debit once Summer Jumping begins?
I know you might be inconvenienced by not having the results for these periods. But if like me, you don’t bother with the dross of either code – then use the Racehorses / Chasers & Hurdlers or even sportinglife.com / racingpost.com – for the rare occasions you’d need information on the non-covered sections.
If that would not be possible, then Computer Timeform would be out for me.
Value Is EverythingGINGER.you can deposit £200 and they will add £55 that works out 25% extra this is what i did this is what i did ,however the extra 16% nearly kills it of
GT,
Can’t help there really as use them every day so never had recourse to roll them over. I would suspect NO and NO are the answers but probably best to give the Halifax bunker a ring for clarification.[There should not be anything stopping you canceling the Flat Direct Debit once Turf racing ends; and stop Jumps Direct Debit once Summer Jumping begins?
I know you might be inconvenienced by not having the results for these periods. .
I haven’t subscribed to the Flat package since 2006 Ginger, as I no longer bet that code
Yes I pay by monthly direct debit so you’re right there would be nothing to stop me cancelling it at some point and resuming later; but I value a continuous formbook database with no gaps (I have the entire NH database since 1995) so presumably ‘taking a break’ of say, three months would result in a three month gap in the formbook on resumption. Hence my wish for a discounted option that allows the regular updating of the database but with no racecards, as the latter are superfluous if one isn’t betting
I actually haven’t asked Timeform if it is possible to cancel the subs for this hypothetical three months and then download the ‘missed’ three months form when resuming the package. So perhaps I should
Usually just lurk on the forum, however, I’m intrigued no one has mentioned the ATR database. I use it quite often and find it perfectly acceptable, and the future form function very useful. Does anyone else use it and is it much better/worse than other databases you pay for?
Usually just lurk on the forum, however, I’m intrigued no one has mentioned the ATR database. I use it quite often and find it perfectly acceptable, and the future form function very useful. Does anyone else use it and is it much better/worse than other databases you pay for?
Dusty,
Good for you.
Though you cannot expect to get sensible replies to such sensible questions. This forum is strictly Timeform Town for spamming purposes. Unless you can quote the following, three times without bursting into laughter, then you cannot benefit from the racing ignorance of an elite band of delusional, mug punters."Timeform is a useful tool produced by extremely knowledgeable and experienced people who, collectively, can analyse and interpret a volume of races/horses in a way that no one individual can hope to."
This is a thread about Timeform Robert, as the name suggests. So of course there will be Timeform students and those who appreciate team Halifax. There are also some who take the opposing opinion.
Why call other members mugs?
Calm down dear….
and explain your opinions without the abuse.
Value Is EverythingUsually just lurk on the forum, however, I’m intrigued no one has mentioned the ATR database. I use it quite often and find it perfectly acceptable, and the future form function very useful. Does anyone else use it and is it much better/worse than other databases you pay for?
Dusty,
Good for you.
Though you cannot expect to get sensible replies to such sensible questions. This forum is strictly Timeform Town for spamming purposes. Unless you can quote the following, three times without bursting into laughter, then you cannot benefit from the racing ignorance of an elite band of delusional, mug punters."Timeform is a useful tool produced by extremely knowledgeable and experienced people who, collectively, can analyse and interpret a volume of races/horses in a way that no one individual can hope to."
Excuse me, Robert99 but, I think you just posted this to mock those with a different view to your own. Cormack 15 if you’re montering this, why do allow half wits like this to spoil a conversation.
And while I’m at it, is Mr Pilson the clown of this forum. He adds nothing and clearly trying to antagonise Mr Wilson, is the some sort of history to these two.
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