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General Category => Ask the Experts => Topic started by: belmont3 on March 28, 2013, 10:33:47 AM

Title: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: belmont3 on March 28, 2013, 10:33:47 AM
For the AARP crowd, all the high tech stuff can, at times, be rather daunting.

Since my earliest experience in racing dates to First Landing winning the Race of the Week on either channel 9 or 11 (think it as WPIX channel 11), going from a 5 channel black and white Magnavox to a live person to person skyped conversation on a Retina display I-Pad has all been quite remarkable.

Been looking to buy a table, tablet/pc combo or whatever.
Plan to use for various functions but one key factor is downloading thorographs and being able to scroll and view without printing.

I noticed a number of folks with a variety of set ups at the SPA.

Looking for advice.

The folks at the Best Buys and Staples etc. did not have demo machines with the proper download settings. Indicated it could be done but seeing is believing.

Ideas?

Thanks

Bob
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: Edgorman on March 28, 2013, 10:59:22 AM
All you need is an IPad.  Download the free Adobe Reader app.  You can download all the thorograph data and open it in Adobe reader.  The data will remain in Adobe Reader until you delete it.  Also, with Adobe Reader you can write on the sheets with your finger.  You will never have to print out the sheets again.
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: Rick B. on March 28, 2013, 11:53:48 AM
Edgorman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All you need is an IPad.

Is there a make / model that gives a superior performance
(thinking battery life here) for the buck?

Anything to stay away from? If you were starting from
Square One on an iPad...what would you do differently?

Thank you, bless you...this stuff is moving so fast now.
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: Edgorman on March 28, 2013, 12:11:00 PM
The newest IPad, IPad2??, has a great battery.  Just make sure it is fully charged and you are set for a full day at Saratoga with no worries.  BTW the new thorograph order page is great.  You just tap in your purchases and you will be prompted to download and then prompted to \"Open in Adobe Reader\".

The only choice on the IPad is if you want the 4G service which is useful as you can access the internet if there is no wi-fi available.  It costs a few dollars more and you have to choose ATT or Verizon and you sign up with them for data plans.  Typically $20 per month.  All the NYRA tracks have free wi-fi now but I have found the 4G to be useful.
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: JohnTChance on March 28, 2013, 02:29:20 PM
The future: iPad hardware and PDFpen for iPad software.
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: mikjul on March 29, 2013, 05:56:05 AM
Ipad does not support flash player so while it shows live races fine(very good actually), if you are trying to watch race replays or previous races on twinspires (not sure what other wagering sites use) there is a limitation.
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: phil23 on March 29, 2013, 06:26:05 AM
Give Skyfire a try as your browser on the iPad. It supports many many Flash sites. Whether it supports racereplays.com, I\'m not sure. Have to just give it a shot.
Title: Re: Hi tech for an ol graying punter
Post by: belmont3 on March 29, 2013, 06:29:40 AM
Thanks for the input.

Currently, I either attend Mohegan Sun @ Pocono Downs or bet via Twinspires.

Had some IE issues with the live stream so I use Mozilla Firefox that seems to work fine for replays and the Twinspires live option.

I am \'stuck\' with IE due to work issues. My company relies on data from 3rd parties that only  support IE and not google Chrome etc.Very confusing but I jockey (no pun intended) back  and forth from Mozilla to IE to Chrome based onthe data source I am utilizing at any given time.

Not certain what I will do. Probably borrow an I Pad and try downloading some past data and see how it looks and feels.

Thanks again for all the input.

Bob