Which folder do the HTR data files get downloaded to?

[DallasNY]

Greetings,



KM has been gracious enough to give me a free weekend trial, but I was wondering whether track profiles, race data, charts, etcs should be dl'd in the HTR folder or the HTRDATA folder.

I hate being new, I feel like such a baby.

Thanks
Carl

[dehere]

Where you download the files to will probably change over time as your use of the HTR program continues. It really depends on how organized you want to be. Initially, though, its probably a good idea to leave everything in the HTR folder itself. That is because when you open the HTR program it looks in the HTR folder by default for the downloaded files. You can always move the files to subfolders at a later time. Hope that helped.

[Rick]

Do not download to the htrdata folder.

That is the folder htr uses to save the files you download from HDW.

At least when you are running on C:\ :p

[AwolAtHTR]

hi Carl,

the download process has a screen that says HOLD YOUR HORSES

well, I would like to share my method of downloading ALL tracks to daily folders.

With experience, the method is simple but requires the HTR user to commit to an archived data plan. The data plan requires the HTR user to know which HDW files will satisfy the user's research plan.

For me to describe the Plan and method choices is more than a one paragraph task. I have some tasks that need to be done for today's data. When I finish, I will post my reply. However, in case I encounter a detour and not get this done before midnight (ie your week end starts on Sat?), I wanted you to know my plan and you would check this thread before starting.

So, before you download and see "...HOLD YOUR HORSE...", check this thread!

duane

07.44 Fri 2007023

PS: Remember Awol you said BEFORE 24.00

[AwolAtHTR]

Fri 23 Feb 7

hi Carl,

The HTR issue, Downloading HTR data, has been a pet peeve of mine since I battled with the problem when I first signed up in 2004. I think of this as we are offered a BLIZZARD of data and I started by just downloading EVERYTHING and eventually found a path through the snowstorm that works for me. Feb was my SECOND rejoin date. My pet peeve has recently been reinforced. So, I am taking advantage of your being new and disagree with your '..baby..' label but know the frustrated feelings connected with new software.

I expect Ken or Ron will correct any misunderstanding I have about the data. Yes, just because this works for me does not mean that some neat feature is buried in HTR that I can not use because of the data choices I have made for my downloading. Also, if other HTR users have a variation which I have not covered, then PLEASE add your note and I will not be offended that my method does not work for their HTR goals.

Here are the main issues:
A. Why each HDW for HTR file is downloaded.
B. Folder choices for organizing your archived data.
C. How to Daily and Archive downloads, (a Click-by-Click talk but no pictures!)
------------
A. Why each HDW for HTR file is downloaded.

When you sign on HDW, you arrive at the HTR Software page. The third llne down (off yellow or Brown) is the MENU bar. Awol only uses HOME and DOWNLOAD NOW!. Awol does not recall ever using DISPLAY DOWN CART or STAKES SCHEDULE. The left most column is our only concern. The box Download Cart Summary had the important number FILE COUNT which will be used later. The box COMPLETE FILE ARCHIVES. The list of file types can be confusing but each downloaded file is named by: (Track code)(MM)(DD)(file code)--dot=HTR. The track code is the two or three letter you find on the HTR screen for the DropDown list to select track and date. MM and DD are two digits Month and Day values. The file code is a one letter code depending on which data file you choose. For 2007, Awol uses only the following four files:

Code
J = Racefiles + Trainer Stats (text)
E = Entries (text)
R = Results + Charts
F = Comma Delimited Charts

The naming convention for Track Profiles and Trainer/Pedigree is different than the data files. This serves to emphasize that you only need these files if you use this information for your handicapping. The PDF files are large (over 100KB each). Back in 2004, Awol used a 56K connection for downloading. Well, after two weeks of LONG download times, the plan to have that data for later use was cancelled. Noting that the Trainer and Jockey statistics/factors on the HTR screens do NOT use the profile information in these files.

Awol chose J because he likes to use TJ factors (B is alternative), R because he likes to look at charts (Q is alternative), and F because, MAYBE, someday he will write a program to extract the charts. So, your simplest choice would be J, E, and R.

---------------
B. Folder choices for organizing your archived data.

Ok, you have resolved which files to start downloading. Now, where to save them.

First let me give you an overview about how HTR works. The system requires HTR.exe in the c:\HTR folder but you use any drive and folder as long as the current HTR program and HTRTZ.ini are in your working folder. For example, you set up a DAILY folder for a day's handicapping and an ARCHIVE folder for research. You download your data to DAILY and when HDW posts the R (Results and Charts), you redownload all the files for the day into the ARCHIVE folder. The only problem you have is the Robot files named SPOT01.txt thru SPOT20.txt and the TrackFav.txt file need to sychronized between DAILY and ARCHIVE. When the downloaded file (*.HTR) are extracted, a copy is sent to the folder c:\HTRDATA. IF you have your own named ARCHIVE folders then this folder can be emptied or deleted. However, if you delete the folder, the extraction will recreate the HTRDATA folder.

so, Awol says, delete all files but the HTR.exe file in the c:\HTR folder and put your data and programs anywhere (like maybe a Memory Stick) that fits your method of using the data. Define your own archive folder and ignore/delete the files in HTRDATA.

You have another decision: ALL files in one folder or each type to a separate folder.

Awol says, you not only have more research flexiblity with a folder for each type but, also, the HDW downloader is limited to seventy-five (75) files. On Sat 10 Feb 2007, HDW had nineteen (19) tracks. Sure you could eliminate a few tracks/files but the method is SIMPLE by just checking ALL tracks for each type and not have to hassle with exceptions!

You have another decsion: One folder per day, per month, or per year!

Awol says, a day at a time is simple and workable, with the naming convention HTRYyyyDdMd. Yes, a FOUR digit year, just in case your grandchildern become data junkies!!

Ok, so, before starting your download, you create the folder(s) and the naming convention that will work for you.

-------------
C. How to do Daily and Archive downloads, (a Click-by-Click talk but no pictures!)

First an overview about HDW downloading:
1. From HOME, select file type, say Racefiles + Trainer Stats
2. Display of dates and tracks appear.
3A Select/click the date, for list of ALL tracks available for selected date
3B Select/click the track, for list of ALL dates available for selected track

4. for either 3A or 3B, you can mark individually or click CHECK ALL
5. click DOWNLOAD NOW from menu bar or on same line as CHECK ALL
6. wait for screen with message HOLD YOUR HORSES

(your first download must accept applet, follow screen instructions)

7. Box with title AppletFile Download appears in upper left corner of screen.
8. Read the screen, do you see file type(s) you want?
9. Drag and drop box to, about, center of your screen.

9. Click YES, for ready to ready to download or NO to cancel
10. Box with title Select File Download Location
------aaah, FINALLY, we are ready to download the data!!
What we want in this box is the name of the folder for your download.

So, before starting your target folder is a subfolder HTR, eg, DAILY or ARCHIVE or HTR20070119

11.Double click the name of the folder
12 A. no subfolders (ie DAILY), click YES, and watch file names download
12 B. Archive subfolder by date, click the Date folder, click YES
12 C. Archive subfolder by type, click the Type folder, click YES

13. When download is finished, you return to the HDW screen from which you started the download.

14. When doing by Type, Click the next type on your list, click CHECK ALL, click Download NOW
15. Repeat 14, until all Types are done

hmmm, simple?
Yes, just like driving a truck with a three speed brownie instead of an automatic!!

Ok, the steps may appear confusing but take it one click at a time.

With this overview, there is only one last issue: Subfolders

both your Daily and Archive folders can be subfolders of c:\HTR
or, you can have a template which you copy to c:\HTR before you start.

Whichever you choose, when you are done downloading, the files are copied and pasted to your HTR working folder.

Well, I must admit this went beyond '..a few paragraphs..' and with a rewrite, MAYBE I could find a simpler way to describe the process. However, let me stop here and say:

any questions, call me at 5 0 9 7 3 8 6 4 1 8 or email awolawol @ hotmail (dot) com
I think I could walk you through this in less than fifteen (15) minutes!

oh the extra spaces are to avoid the spam harvesters from getting my phone number and email address
side issue: Carl, do not post your '..useable..' email address because spammers are known to harvest from this forum!!

now, my pet peeve has been satisfied at least in a first draft but no time for rewrite.

hope that this clears up some of the fog and you can get all 45 days of data for your research in a few hours.

Oh, another side issue: HDW charges by the CALENDAR month.
so, if you decide to join, then wait until Thursday, 1 Mar, or you will be charged for Feb

duane

PS: except for minor issues, I will not edit this but post again for things left OUT!

[DallasNY]

Awol and others thanks,


I will be joining subscribing on Thursday March 1st, for now I've downloaded everything into the HTR folder. I havent created daily or monthly subfolders, so I'm just going to proceed like this for a while. By next year I will certainly have to adapt a new strategy or I will probably begin over writing my archived data.


Taking baby steps right now, I just needed to get it in and get some hands on with the software. I still have a long way to go.

Thanks
Carl