Product discontinued August 11, 2020.



Races software banner

 

Races software
Version 7.1

Race screen during a race

 

Races, designed by Bingo Rose in support of the FINS (Friends in Need Services) charity, is an entertaining software program that simulates an outing at the race track. Version 7.1 represents a dramatically modified version of the discontinued A Night at the Races dog race program. Each race to the finish line is powered by a random number generator with more than 3200 calculations to power the racers to the finish line. Names can be changed to suit your needs, including the ability to pre-program names and associated racer graphics for up to 20 races. An active representation of the racer positions during the race is also available. To minimize the appearance of software controls on the main screen, these features are hidden and only accessible by double-clicking one of the three top center graphics.

 

The Racers program can be set up to display either 6 (allowing for larger graphics) or 8 racers (allowing for more racers to bid on).

 

This entertaining race simulation is best enjoyed when connected to a large TV monitor or projected onto a big screen for best viewing by a larger audience. The race patrons will be drawn into the excitement of the race, especially if they have placed a bid on their favourite racer or have something more risqué or creative at stake! (Caution: We have experienced a senior citizens environment wherein the race patrons were so excited during the race that the hall furniture was in danger of destruction!)

 

A fun evening may include 20 races, allowing time for wagers to be processed and / or other socialization activity.

 

Bingo Rose programs are built on a technologically modern platform - Microsoft Office Access 2007. There is no need to have Access installed on your computer as the second stage of our installation routine includes a Microsoft Access 2007 runtime Access 2007 development platformenvironment installation, enough of that program to operate ours. A Windows Operating System is required. The software is maximized for a screen resolution of 1366 X 768 pixels to provide the best quality image, therefore any computer or attached projection system must be capable of at least this resolution.

 

The Races software is licensed for use by a single individual / organization.

 

Races - Features

 

The Races software main screen is organized to maximize its viewability by the race patron. The program controls are functionally placed along the top of the screen and inconspicuous to the patron.

 

Races patrons will get caught up in the action as the racers charge toward the finish line powered by a unique random selection of which racer to advance.

  

Races action . . .

  

Races is flexible. You can modify the images used on the main screen to achieve a different look. You can change from the default horse race to a dog / bike / car / or funny race. All you need to do is create the images in the required dimension and name, then copy them to the appropriate C:\Races directory to replace the defaults. (Read about how to change the graphics displayed later in this document. Some optional graphics for the 6 or 8 racer screens are installed with the software for your convenience.)

 

Races during the race

 

Races during the race. (6 horses)

 

Races during the race    Races during the race

 

Races during the race    Races during the race

 

Races during the race. (Examples)

 

At regular intervals during the race, the Position indicator at the left side of the screen is updated to show the status of the current race. The indicator first appears after 200 racer movements in the race and every 100 movements thereafter. (The indicator will temporarily be hidden when the first racer crosses the finish line, but will reappear when all racers have crossed the finish line.) This Position indicator can be disabled by removing the check mark from the Show Position checkbox on the Race Setup Switchboard. As each racer crosses the finish line, its standing is clearly annotated via the center-displayed place markings. If the Position indicator is activated, that indicator will also display the final results.

 

Races results . . .

 

Races at the completion of the race

 

Race completed results. (6 racers)

 


 

The Races program controls are inconspicuously aligned at the top of the main screen.

 

Races control buttons

 

Races software controls.

 

The Reset button will display when the software is initially opened and at the completion of any race. It must be selected to reset the software in preparation for the first race or to progress to successive races. A notification message will appear in the center of the main screen while this process takes place (up to 10 seconds can be expected as there are more than 3200 actions being taken in the software background, including selection of a random number between 1 and 100 million at least 3080 times). The Start button will replace the Reset button when the race is ready to start. (Note that a message requesting a donation to support FINS - Friends in Need Services also displays while the software is resetting. This message can be modified external to the software for your own purposes by modifying the C:\Races\Race Images 6\our cause.jpg image file [maintain the 480 X 247 file dimensions] prior to launching the software. Modify the C:\Races\Race Images 8\our cause.jpg image file when using the 8 racer displays.)

 

The Start button sets the racers in motion, each of which must move 380 times to complete its trek to the finish line.

 

The Abort button, the only control visible once a race is started, allows you to terminate any race that is started in error. Following any Abort, the Reset of the software in preparation for the next race will automatically take place.

 

At the end of any race, you can select the Reset button to return the racers to the Start line.

 

The Race dropdown allows the user to update the main screen details for racer names and racer graphics that were pre-programmed for one of the 20 races by simply selecting the appropriate race number on the dropdown.

 

As with any software, users should make a habit of using the Exit button provided in the software rather than the control box 'X' at the top right of the application screen to correctly terminate the program when all races are completed. To aid in prevention of an accidental click on that 'X', you can hide it from the screen by removing the check from the Controls Visible checkbox on the Race Setup Switchboard.

 

Double-clicking on the ‘right-facing racer image’ button (left) will open the ‘Bingo Rose and Winners Circle support FINS - Friends in Need Services’ splash screen (see details below). (The right-facing racer image can be customized to your needs by modifying the C:\Races\Race Images 6\left.jpg file [maintain the 250 X 110 file dimensions] prior to launching the software. Modify the C:\Races\Race Images 8\left.jpg image file when using the 8 racer displays.)

 

Double-clicking on the ‘left-facing racer image’ button (right) will open the Pole Position form (see details below) to allow pre-programming of the racer name associated with the racer graphic for each of the available 20 races. (The left-facing racer image can be customized to your needs by modifying the C:\Races\Race Images 6\right.jpg file [maintain the 250 X 110 file dimensions] prior to launching the software. Modify the C:\Races\Race Images 8\right.jpg image file when using the 8 racer displays.)

 

Double-clicking on the 'center (logo)' button will open the Race Setup Switchboard where the race software main setup controls are contained. (The center (logo) image can be customized to your needs by modifying the C:\Races\Race Images 6\center.jpg file [maintain the 250 X 110 file dimensions] prior to launching the software. Modify the C:\Races\Race Images 8\center.jpg image file when using the 8 racer displays.)

 

Race Setup Switchboard

 

Race Setup Switchboard.

 

You can customize the race simulation by changing the names to anything you like by selecting the Names button and scrolling through the 80 racer name positions. Two part names are stacked one over the other on the main screen.

 

Customization of the names is a great feature

 

Customize the 80 available racer names.

 

You can pre-program the names for up to 20 races. Simply open the Program Names form by selecting the Program Names button on the Race Setup Switchboard and select a name from the dropdown for each racer and for each race. Depending upon what value is displayed in the Number of Racers dropdown, either the setup for 6 or 8 racer Program Names form will pop up. You can associate a racer graphic with the name for each race with the Pole Position feature discussed below.

 

Pre-programming of the names is a great feature

 

Pre-program names. (6 racers)

 

 

The Pole Position form is opened by selecting the Set Pole Position button on the Race Setup Switchboard. Depending upon what value is displayed in the Number of Racers dropdown, either the setup for 6 or 8 racer Pole Position form will pop up. This form allows pre-programming of the racer graphic associated with the racer name identified for each of the available 20 races. Six racer graphics are available to choose from to represent the 6 racers on the main screen when the 6 racer form is displayed. Eight racer graphics are available to choose from to represent the 8 racers on the main screen when the 8 racer form is displayed. Enter the racer number associated with the graphic into the dropdown associated with the racer name for that race. When the Close button is selected, the racer graphic, racer name, and race number associated with the race number when this form was closed will be updated on the main screen.

 

Pole Position for 6 racers    Pole Position for 8 racers

 

Pole Position form.


Modify your graphics for a customized 'look' . . .

 

The active directory for images used in the 6 racer screens are located in the C:\Races\Race Images 6 folder, while those for the 8 racer screens are located in the C:\Races\Race Images 8 folder.

 

Installed with the software for your convenience, Bingo Rose has created sample graphics for different 'looks' to the software as indicated in the example images earlier in this document.

 

The default installed images used in the 6 racer screen are located in the C:\Races\Horse Race Images 6 Orig folder, while those for the 8 racer screen are located in the C:\Races\Horse Race Images 8 Orig folder. These are provided for convenience should you wish to return the software to the original 'look' following any modification to the installed active directory images.

 

Review the graphic images in the Dog Race Images 6, and Horse Race Images 6 Fun directories for installed options for 6 racer screen graphics. To appy those graphics to the 6 racer screen, copy the contents of the appropriate directory to the C:\Races\Race Images 6 directory to replace the current graphic image files.

 

Review the graphic images in the Horse Race Images 8 Fun Coloured no outline, Horse Race Images 8 Fun Coloured outline, and Horse Race Images 8 Fun white background directories for installed options for 8 racer screen graphics. To appy those graphics to the 8 racer screen, copy the contents of the appropriate directory to the C:\Races\Race Images 8 directory to replace the current graphic image files.

 

In 8 race mode, you can add colour to the race tracks by updating the RGB values on the Race Setup Switchboard. Coloured track is provided as an option for when the graphic images have coloured background. The RBG colour values used with the 'Horse Race Images 8 Fun Coloured outline' and 'Horse Race Images 8 Fun Coloured no outline' images are indicated on the Race Setup Switchboard for your convenience.

 

Note that using the software with track colours other than white, RGB (255, 255, 255), can result in shadowed effect due to how some computers interpret the RGB value of the colours. Therefore, it may be best to use graphics with a thin border to minimize the effect (such as use 'Horse Race Images 8 Fun Coloured outline' rather than the 'Horse Race Images 8 Fun Coloured no outline'). Experiment with your first image to ensure it will provide the desired results before spending time creating all graphics in a format that is unsuitable.

 

 

Note that some of the sample image file folders contain more images than are required. Determine which images meet your needs and rename the files 1.jpg - 6.jpg for 6 racer screens and 1.jpg - 8.jpg for 8 racer screens.

 

If you are creating your own graphic image files, we recommend that you create a new sub-directory to create them before copying them to the active directory. Be sure to retain the appropriate file dimensions.


 

A Payout calculator quickly calculates the appropriate payout based upon the odds for the race and the amount of wagers. The user can decide what to do with Undistributed wagers, such as add it for distribution on the next race, accumulate it for a Jackpot race at the end of the event, or a donation to charity. The software is restricted to $1 increments ($.25 rounds to $0, $.75 rounds to $1). If partial $ bids are anticipated, use the $1 setting and multiply any payout amounts by the actual bid amount. To automatically pop up the Payout Calculator at the end of the race (and thus avoid the necessity to open the Race Setup Switchboard to select the Payout Calculator button), ensure that a check mark is present in the Payout Calculator checkbox on the Race Setup Switchboard.

 

Payout calculator

 

Payout calculator. (6 racers)
A Payout Calculator for 8 racers will pop up when used with the 8 racer setting.

 

For your convenience, the program includes a template that can be used to process wagers on each race. The larger number represents the race number, while the smaller number when circled identifies which racer a bid has been placed upon. (Patrons who wish to place a wager on all racers can be given a single slip with an "A" written on it rather than individual slips for each racer for easy processing.) Template sheets covering 25 races are ready for printing when the Print Bid Slips button is selected on the Race Setup Switchboard. (The file that opens is installed with the software as C:\Races\Bid Slips\Bid Slips.pdf for the 8 racers, and C:\Races\Bid Slips\Bid Slips 6.pdf for the 6 racers.) The sheet is cut into individual tickets for distribution to the Races patrons as bids are placed.

 

Use the Bid ticket templates to create your tickets

 

Bid ticket template. (8 racers) 

 

 

The ‘Bingo Rose and Winners Circle proudly support FINS - Friends in Need Services’ splash screen is displayed for approximately four seconds when the program is launched. It can also be accessed by double-clicking the right-facing racer image button (left) on the main screen. Click anywhere on that screen to close it.

 

About Races splash screen

 

Bingo Rose and Winners Circle proudly support FINS - Friends in Need Services splash screen.

 

This screen provides information about your computer and the environment that Bingo Rose is operating in. This information might assist Bingo Rose personnel in troubleshooting any unlikely difficulties you experience with the program. Please do not hesitate to email Bingo Rose should you experience any difficulties with the software operation. Email: info@BingoRose.biz

 

We encourage patrons to support our favourite cause, FINS (Friends in Need Services). Every dollar makes a difference in the community. Donations can be processed by selecting any of the 3 denomination buttons to initiate a secure payment via PayPal.

 

Bingo Rose gives back to the community. In addition to any donations processed from our website or by following a link in the software, 100 % of sales for the Races software will be donated to the cause.

 

You can read more about FINS (Friends in Need Services) by selecting the FINS logo on this splash screen or on the Race Setup Switchboard.

 

NOTE: Please enjoy responsibly! Consult local laws before using this program for other than Not for Profit use.

 

Each time the software is launched, a Licensed User notification will appear. The Races software is licensed for single organization / individual use.

 

Licensed User notification

 

Licensed User notification.

 

Races – Download / Installation

 

The Races software is available by download only from the Bingo Rose website (see link at the bottom of this page). Download the races.zip file to your computer. Inside that file, double-click the setup.exe file to initiate a two stage installation process. The first stage installs the Races software and the second stage installs a Microsoft Access 2007 Runtime, enough of that program to operate ours. (NOTE: Just a reminder that this software requires a Windows Operating System and a minimum screen resolution of 1366 X 768 px.) A software launch icon will be created on your desktop.

 

The documentation for this software (this document) is installed with the software for easy access in the C:\Races\Help\races.htm file. The Program Documentation button on the Race Setup Switchboard will activate this file.

 

This software is made available at a minimum price by Bingo Rose in efforts to support the FINS - Friends in Need Services charity. Please select the Software Download link below and save the races.zip file to your computer. After download, initiate the two stage installation, the first installs this software and the second the Access 2007 runtime (enough of that program to run ours), by double-clicking the setup.exe file contained in the races.zip file.

 

 


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Product discontinued August 11, 2020.


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We trust that you will enjoy hours of entertainment from using this fun software.

 

Software, website, and donation administration provided by Bingo Rose software

 

 

Comments about the software are welcomed as customer feedback is essential to product improvement.
Email: info@BingoRose.biz