Manual Changes Module

 

Overview

The JCapper Manual Changes Module provides the user with a quick and easy interface for entering scratches and races taken off the turf manually. Players who take their notebook computers to the track or off track betting facility where connection to the internet is not possible will find that the Manual Changes Module lets them manually enter today's changes in a quick and organized format.

 

 

 

The Manual Changes Module can be launched using the Export Functions Menu. The above screenshot shows the top of the Manual Changes Module as it appears when it first opens.

 

 

Loaded Race Card Selection Elements

The Manual Changes Module has three visible elements that allow the user to select Loaded Race Cards. Each allow the user to navigate freely between race cards. Each will be covered separately.

 

They are:

 

1. The Loaded Race Card Drop Down

2. The Next Loaded Race Card Button

3. The Previous Loaded Race Card Button

 

 

The Loaded Race Card Drop Down

All of the currently loaded race cards will appear in the Loaded Race Card Drop Down. To select a race card, open up the drop down by clicking on the downward pointing arrow on the right hand edge of the drop down. Then position the mouse cursor over the desired race card and click.

 

Screenshot: Top of the Manual Changes Module just before a race card has been selected by the user. The Loaded Race Card Drop Down is open and displays the currently loaded race cards.

 

After a race card has been selected, the Available Races Drop Down, Next Race Button, and Previous Race Button will appear.

 

Screenshot: Top of the Manual Changes Module just after user has selected a loaded race card, in this case Del Mar.

 

 

 

The Next Loaded Race Card Button

Users may also use the Next Loaded Race Card Button to select a loaded race card. Each time this button is clicked, the loaded race appearing just below the current race card in the Loaded Race Card Drop Down gets selected and becomes the new current race card for the module.

 

Screenshot: The user has just clicked the Next Loaded Race Card Button to advance the current race card from DMR to SAR. If you look closely you'll notice that the button is still highlighted.

 

 

 

The Previous Loaded Race Card Button

Users may also use the Previous Loaded Race Card Button to select a loaded race card. Each time this button is clicked, the loaded race appearing just above the current race card in the Loaded Race Card Drop Down gets selected and becomes the new current race card for the module.

 

Screenshot: The user has just clicked the Previous Loaded Race Card Button to change the current race card from SAR back to DMR. If you look closely you'll notice that the button is still highlighted.

 

 

 

Race Selection Elements

The Manual Changes Module has three visible elements that allow the user to select races for the currently selected race card. Each allow the user to navigate freely between races. Each will be covered separately.

 

They are:

 

1. The Select Race Drop Down

2. The Next Race Button

3. The Previous Race Button

 

 

The Select Race Drop Down

All of today's races for the currently selected race card will appear in the Select Race Drop Down. To select a race, open up the drop down by clicking on the downward pointing arrow on the right hand edge of the drop down. Then position the mouse cursor over the desired race and click.

 

Screenshot: The Select Race Drop Down

 

 

 

Each time a race is selected, the selected race becomes the current race. Information about the current race is then displayed by the module.

 

Screenshot: DMR Race 1 was just selected as the current race. Information about DMR Race 1 is now displayed by the Module.

 

 

The Next Race Button

Users may also use the Next Race Button to select races. Each time this button is clicked, the race appearing just below the current race in the Select Race Drop Down gets selected and becomes the new current race for the module.

 

Screenshot: DMR Race 2 was just selected as the current race using the Next Race Button. (Look closely; the button is highlighted.) Information about DMR Race 2 is now displayed by the Module.

 

 

 

The Previous Race Button

Users may also use the Previous Race Button to select races. Each time this button is clicked, the race appearing just above the current race in the Select Race Drop Down gets selected and becomes the new current race for the module.

 

 

Screenshot: DMR Race 1 was just selected as the current race using the Previous Race Button. (Look closely; the button is highlighted.) Information about DMR Race 1 is now displayed by the Module.

 

 

ADDING AND REMOVING SCRATCHES

The interface for adding and removing scratches in the JCapper Manual Changes Module is an easy one. First, navigate to the desired current race. Then, to scratch a horse, simply click the Scratch Checkbox that appears just to the left of the desired horse's post position and name. The post position and name of the scratched horse will now appear in strikeThru red. Unscratched horses will remain displayed in blue. To un-scratch a horse, simply click a previously checked Scratch Checkbox next to the post position and name of an already scratched horse. 

 

 

Screenshot: The user has just scratched #1 Smuggler's Run from Race 1 at DMR. The post position and name of the scratched horse now appear in strikeThru red. Notice that the SAVE button is now displayed and the visible elements for track and race navigation are now disabled.

 

 

The SAVE Button

Any time the user makes changes to current race information in the Manual Changes Module the SAVE Button is displayed. User changes to current race information made with the Manual Changes Module are not persisted to the database (scratches and raceheaders files) until the SAVE Button has been clicked by the user.

 

As a safety precaution, in an attempt to prevent users from mistakenly scratching a wrong horse (or failing to click all the scratches for a race,)  navigation between races and tracks is disabled while unsaved  changes information exists. Clicking the SAVE Button will persist all unsaved changes information to the database. Once the SAVE Button has been clicked, navigation between races and tracks becomes enabled again. It is recommended that users get in the habit of verifying current race changes information carefully before clicking the SAVE Button.

 

Auto Save Navigation

There will always be those users who prefer to make their manual changes on the fly and flip freely between tracks and races without having to stop, check their work for each race, and click the SAVE Button. If you feel confident in your ability to make accurate race changes very quickly and then move on to the next race without having to stop and click the SAVE Button, you can override the SAVE Button by enabling Auto Save Navigation.

 

Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox

The Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is located at the very top of the Manual Changes Module Screen. Its default setting is unchecked. When the Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is in its unchecked state, the Manual Changes Module disables race and track navigation while unsaved race changes information exists until the SAVE Button is clicked.

 

When the Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is checked, the Manual Changes Module will still display the SAVE Button whenever unsaved changes information exists, but race and track navigation is allowed. When the user navigates to a new race when the Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is checked, any unsaved changes information is automatically saved to the database.

 

 

Screenshot: The Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is checked. Current race changes information exists. The SAVE Button is displayed, and race and track navigation are enabled.

 

 

The Clear Scratches Button

 

Clicking the Clear Scratches Button has the following effects:

 

1. All scratches are cleared from the scratches file.

2. All scratches are cleared from memory in the Current Changes Module.

3. Current race information is re-displayed.

 

 

After clicking the Clear Scratches Button, Clear All Scratches Confirmation Dialog Box is presented to the user. The Clear All Scratches Confirmation Dialog Box offers the user a chance to Cancel the Clear Scratches operation. This is done to prevent accidental loss of scrathces information that could arise from a user who unintentionally clicks the Clear Scratches Button.

 

 

Screenshot: The Clear All Scratches Confirmation Dialog Box.

 

 

Clicking Yes on the Clear All Scratches Confirmation Dialog Box will result in all scratches being cleared. After the scratches file has been cleared, the following message box is presented to the user:

 

Screenshot: Message box confirming that scratches have been cleared.

 

 

Clicking No or Cancel on the Clear All Scratches Confirmation Dialog Box will result in the clear scratches operation being cancelled. Whenever the Clear Scratches Operation is aborted by the user, the following message box is presented:

 

Screenshot: Message box confirmation that Clear Scratches Operation has been aborted by the user.

 

 

It is recommended that users clear the previous day's scratches at the start of each new race day. A good time to do this is either just after Clearing the Export File or before using any of the JCapper modules capable of handling scratches (Manual Changes Module, Scratch Parser, or Scratch Bot) to create fresh scratches for the new race day.

 

Scratches information remains in the scratches file until cleared by the user clicking the Clear Scratches Button. Failing to clear scratches will cause each new day's scratches to be added to the scratches file. Conceivably, after perhaps containing scratches for several hundred race cards, the scratches file could eventually grow large enough to impact system performance.

 

 

SURFACE AND DISTANCE CHANGES

 

Occasionally track management will take one or more races Off The Turf and move them to the Dirt. More rare, but I have seen it happen (at Turf Paradise in the mid 1980's) races can even be taken Off the Dirt and switched to the Turf Course.

 

The JCapper Manual Changes Module provides the user with a quick and easy interface for dealing with this problem. There are two visual elements involved. To change the running surface of the current race, use the Running Surface Drop Down. To change the distance of the current race, use the Race Distance Drop Down.

 

 

 

Making a Surface Change (Taking a Race Off the Turf)

 

Let's walk through the process of taking a race off the turf. We will use a real life example. On Saturday 08-14-2004, Saratoga's Race 4 was taken off the turf and moved to the main track.

 

The Running Surface Drop Down

The Running Surface Drop Down is located along the left hand edge of the screen just below the Loaded Race Card Drop Down and just above the label displaying the track and race number for the current race. To select a different running surface, simply position the mouse cursor on the running surface drop down and click the mouse. This will cause the drop down to display available options for the new running surface. Then, position the mouse cursor over the new running surface and click the mouse.

 

 

Screenshot: The user is in the process of using the Running Surface Drop Down to take SAR Race 4 off the turf and move it to the main track.

 

After selecting a new running surface, the SAVE Button will be displayed and both race and track navigation will be disabled.

 

 

 

Screenshot: The user has just used the Running Surface Drop Down to take SAR Race 4 off the turf and move it to the main track. Note that the SAVE Button is now displayed and that both track and race navigation have now been disabled.

 

 

 

Making a Distance Change

 

Let's walk through the process of making a distance change. We will use a real life example. On Saturday 08-14-2004, Saratoga's Race 4 was taken off the turf and moved to the main track. The distance was changed from 1 1/16 Miles to 1 1/8 Miles.

 

The Race Distance Drop Down

The Race Distance Drop Down is located just to the right of the Running Surface Drop Down. To select a different race distance, simply position the mouse cursor on the race distance drop down and click the mouse. This will cause the drop down to display available options for the new race distance. Then, position the mouse cursor over the new race distance and click the mouse.

 

Screenshot: The user is in the process of using the Race Distance Drop Down to change the race distance of SAR Race 4 from 8.50 furlongs to 9.00 furlongs.

 

After selecting the new race distance, the SAVE Button will be displayed and both race and track navigation will be disabled.

 

 

Screenshot: The user has just used the Race Distance Drop Down to change the distance of SAR Race 4 from 8.50 furlongs to 9.00 furlongs. Note that the SAVE Button is now displayed and that both track and race navigation have now been disabled.

 

 

 

 

The SAVE Button

Any time the user makes changes to current race information in the Manual Changes Module the SAVE Button is displayed. User changes to current race information made with the Manual Changes Module are not persisted to the database (scratches and raceheaders files) until the SAVE Button has been clicked by the user.

 

As a safety precaution, in an attempt to prevent users from mistakenly changing a racing surface, navigation between races and tracks is disabled while unsaved  changes information exists. Clicking the SAVE Button will persist all unsaved changes information to the database. Once the SAVE Button has been clicked, navigation between races and tracks becomes enabled again. It is recommended that users get in the habit of verifying current race changes information carefully before clicking the SAVE Button.

 

Auto Save Navigation

There will always be those users who prefer to make their manual changes on the fly and flip freely between tracks and races without having to stop, check their work for each race, and click the SAVE Button. If you feel confident in your ability to make accurate race changes very quickly and then move on to the next race without having to stop and click the SAVE Button, you can override the SAVE Button by enabling Auto Save Navigation.

 

Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox

The Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is located at the very top of the Manual Changes Module Screen. Its default setting is unchecked. When the Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is in its unchecked state, the Manual Changes Module disables race and track navigation while unsaved race changes information exists until the SAVE Button is clicked.

 

When the Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is checked, the Manual Changes Module will still display the SAVE Button whenever unsaved changes information exists, but race and track navigation is allowed. When the user navigates to a new race when the Enable Auto Save Navigation Checkbox is checked, any unsaved changes information is automatically saved to the database.

 

Screenshot: The user has just used the Running Surface Drop Down to take SAR Race 4 off the turf and move it to the main track and the Race Distance Drop Down to change the race distance from 8.50 furlongs to 9.00 furlongs. Note that the Enable Auto Save Navigation Button is checked, the SAVE Button is displayed, and both race and track navigation are still enabled.

 

 

Aborting Surface and Distance Changes

If you do not wish to persist surface or distance changes that you have made you can abort these changes by using any of three methods, each of which is described below.

 

1. Closing the Manual Changes Module

Close the Manual Changes Module by simply clicking the red X found in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Whenever the user attempts to close the module while unsaved changes exist the user is presented with a message box offering one last chance to save the changes. To save changes from this message box click Yes. To exit the module without saving changes from this message box click No.

 

 

 

2. Using the Manual Changes Module to Change Surface and Distance Back

In the event of a mistake you can always use the Manual Changes Module's Running Surface and Race Distance drop downs to change the surface and/or distance for the current race back the previous values.

 

3. Clear Export File followed by Build Export File

You can reset ALL surface distance changes back to the original values found in the Bris Data File by running both the Clear Export File and Build Export File menu options found on the Export Functions menu. Doing this will reset surface and distance for all races back to original values, but it will not affect the scratches file.

 

Hint: To clear all scratches from the scratches file, simply click the Clear Scratches Button.

 

 

 

The Refresh Button

This section is intended for those users who leave the Manual Changes Module open while they concurrently run other JCapper modules capable of picking up scratches- either Scratch Parser or Scratch Bot. If you do not plan on running Scratch Bot or Scratch Parser while the Manual Changes Module is open and running you can skip this section.

 

Clicking the Refresh Button causes the Manual Changes Module to take the following actions:

 

1. All Unsaved Scratches Information in memory is written to the database without overwriting saved changes information already residing in the database. Scratches are appended to the scratches file.

 

2. Unsaved Surface and Distance changes in memory are purged from memory and are NOT written to the database.

 

3. Scratches Information is then read from the database and are placed in memeory.

 

4. Surface and Distance changes are then read from memory and are placed in menory.

 

5. Information for the Current Race is then re-displayed.

 

Purpose of the Refresh Button

There are other modules in JCapper capable of updating the database with fresh scratches and surface/distance changes. The Scratch Parser parses the Bris web pages as directed by the user and writes fresh scratches to the database. Scratch Bot, once started, runs in the background continually scanning the Bris web pages for fresh scratches and surface changes, and updates the database as new changes are discovered.

 

Naturally, JCapper has to be able to handle the case of a user who runs combinations of the Manual Changes Module, Scratch Parser, and Scratch Bot concurrently. The logic behind the Refresh Button found in the Manual Changes Module allows this to happen.

 

Let's illustrate using the example of a user who launches the Manual Changes Module while Scratch Bot is running in the background. When it first loads, the Manual Changes Module gets all of its start up information by reading the database. It then displays this information as each new current race is navigated to by the user and as changes are saved back to the database by the user.

 

At the same time, Scratch Bot is also writing its own information back to the database. When Scratch Bot finds a fresh scratch or a race taken off the turf, it writes the changes to the database and then generates a horse scratched or race taken off the turf message alerting the user to the presence of the change. (For a complete discussion of how Scratch Bot works read the section in the User's Guide dedicated to Scratch Bot.)

 

The Manual Changes Module needs a mechanism for getting updated changes information from the database when this case happens. The Refresh Button is that mechanism. A user running Scratch Bot in the background concurrently with the Manual Changes Module can see the horse scratched or race taken off the turf message generated by Scratch Bot and then can immediately bring the Scratch Bot generated changes into the open instance of the Manual Changes Module simply by clicking the Refresh Button.

 

To summarize, there are two cases where the user should click the Refresh Button in the Manual Changes Module:

 

1. Scratch Bot and the Manual Changes Module are being run comcurrently. The user should click the Manual Changes Module Refresh Button before doing anything else in the Manual Changes Module after seeing a Scratch Bot generated scratch or surface change message.

 

2. Scratch Parser and the Manual Changes Module are being run concurrently. The user should click the Refresh Button in the Manual Changes Module before doing anything else in the Manual Changes Module after clicking the Parse Scratches Button in the Scratch Parser.

 

There is no need ever to click the Manual Changes Module Refresh Button unless either Scratch Parser or Scratch Bot is being run at the same time as the Manual Changes Module. Users who adopt the practice of closing the Manual Changes Module before launching either the Scratch Parser or Scratch Bot and who close both the Scratch Parser and stop Scratch Bot before launching the Manual Changes Module do not need to worry about clicking the Manual Changes Module Refresh Button. Of course, there is never any harm in clicking the Refresh Button; if no new changes from another module exist in the database, current race information in the Manual Changes Module is merely re-displayed.

 

 

After clicking the Refresh Button, a message box confirming that a refresh has taken place is displayed.

 

Screenshot: The refresh confirmation message box.

 

 

 

Screenshots: The user has just clicked the Refresh Button. If you look closely, you'll notice that the button is highlighted.