Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Jan 24, 2015

This is to inform all users of Lotsoft Pro 5 that I will no longer be updating the draw histories as of 2/1/2015.

If anyone is interested in taking over updating you will need to perform the following:

Pay the monthly server fees which is currently around $25 per month

Know how to use Excel 2010.

Know how to upload files to Filezilla

PM if your interested. 

If I don't receive a response by next Saturday I will be discontinuing the service.

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Jan 24, 2015

This is to inform all users of Lotsoft Pro 5 that I will no longer be updating the draw histories as of 2/1/2015.

If anyone is interested in taking over updating you will need to perform the following:

Pay the monthly server fees which is currently around $25 per month

Know how to use Excel 2010.

Know how to upload files to Filezilla

PM if your interested. 

If I don't receive a response by next Saturday I will be discontinuing the service.

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Jan 24, 2015

This is to inform all users of Lotsoft Pro 5 that I will no longer be updating the draw histories as of 2/1/2015.

If anyone is interested in taking over updating you will need to perform the following:

Pay the monthly server fees which is currently around $25 per month

Know how to use Excel 2010.

Know how to upload files to Filezilla

PM if your interested. 

If I don't receive a response by next Saturday I will be discontinuing the service.

Quote: Originally posted by SergeM on Jan 25, 2015

I have the same problem with updating and proposed that others would update the drawings of my website. Zero volunteers!

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Jan 26, 2015

I never saw your request for volunteers.  Is you website for lotteries played in the U.S.?

Quote: Originally posted by Makenmo on Jan 28, 2015

Winsumloosesum You have done your time for sure and it is much appreciated.. Hats off to you!

I have to agree With Carbob.  Was just informed and considered the idea. Just not so sure I could handle another thing to do especially to that extent.   I am familiar with how much time it takes to keep a site afloat with the rest of the world. 

I am new to Lotsoft.  I find it a fascinating tool and manually input my state draw but am sure there are those who do multiple states and depend on your efforts.

Am I correct in saying that if  no one comes forward,  LotSoft would become a standalone that individuals would have to  update their state(s) manually as needed or is there more to the loss than that?

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Jan 28, 2015

When the time comes you can update any state's game manually but you would also need to click the "recalculate statistics" button.  That is once the "Live Update" is discontinued.

Quote: Originally posted by jackpotismine on Jan 28, 2015

@Winsumloosesum
Is it possible to make the software so that no registration is required for full activation for those that didn't register before the passing of Ricky?

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Jan 28, 2015

If we have any FTP experts that want to tackle this, here is an idea

Set up an FTP server on your own computer.  Filezilla?

This would require changing a couple lines of code in the props.mdb file located in data folder.  C:\ProgramFiles\INW\Lotsoft\data\

I believe that Ricky hardcoded Lotsoft 5 to only perform Live Updates through the Brinkster FTP server.  I tried many times to change the FTP location in the props.mdb file and also set up an FTP server on my computer without any luck.

Quote: Originally posted by bootleg233 on Jan 28, 2015

That would be great for you winsum with all you do!! If you had FTP setup on your own would you think of continuing Lotsoft? Just curious.

Quote: Originally posted by SWMcCaig on Feb 1, 2015

I am coming into this conversation way late, but where does one go to get LotSoft. And, am I understanding his correc that it is a "free" program?

Quote: Originally posted by grwurston on Feb 1, 2015

  1,000%!!! LotSoft is the BEST!!! I don't know what I would do without it. What other software is there with that much information, that also allows you to input your own stats into it that you come up with? Personally, I only play one state so updating the draws is not a problem, but a lot of people play more than one. Bottom line, as long as LotSoft is still around, it is  a very good thing.

Quote: Originally posted by Igamble on Feb 1, 2015

Hy,

how  would you compare EXPERT LOTTO 5 with LOTSOFT PRO ?

for some random reason i got to use EL 5 ,and always wanted to try lot soft pro too. The expert lotto is a very, very complex tool and has many capabilities ,filters,charts ..

Quote: Originally posted by jackpotismine on Jan 28, 2015

Thanks Winsumloosesum. I didn't realize that you had posted this. Lotsoft really is a great program.Thanks Winsumloosesum. I didn't realize that you had posted this. Lotsoft really is a great program.

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Feb 8, 2015

Lotsoft data draw files just uploaded at 2:20 pm est.

Note: There was no Arizona Pick 3 Evening draw from Saturday February 7, 2015.

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Jan 30, 2015

I have tried a number of variations by setting up an FTP server on my computer using Filezilla without any success.

I've changed the FTP location in the props.mdb file many times only to receive an error message.

I've added a new folder to the Brinkster FTP folder and also changed the Props.mdb file and Lotsoft 5 updated as usual.

When the Brinkster server went down a few months ago Brinkster support trnasferred all the FTP file to a new server location.  We all changed the FTP location in the Props.mdb file so that we could still perfom the Live Updates.

My thoughts on Lotsoft 5 are this.  Ricky decided to make Lotsoft 5 freeware with the stipulation that any new users would need to register Lotsoft 5 and in return receive the activation codes.  Since Ricky is no longer with us (spirit only), we should keep his program alive at all costs.  Meaning find a way, either by changing the code in the program or find a way to create a Desktop FTP server on each of our computers and eliminate the server cost,  The only thing we would need to do is update the Pick 3 and Pick 4 draw histories.

In addition we don't know how long Brinkster will continue.  1 year, 5 years, 10 years???  This would be the main reason for changing the code it that is the case.

Another limitation which has not been discussed is "how many" more drawings can we add to the P3.mdb and P4.mdb files.  That is how many draws of new data will the MS Access files add until it reaches it's limit.  What would be the maximum file size if any for these Access database files?? 5 more years, 10 more years? etc.

Maybe this was the reason Ricky was programming the Pick3Whiz program which never was completed.

Quote: Originally posted by thedillyo on Feb 9, 2015

Hi winsumloosesum

We would need to look into this further but where the hardcoded server address is concerned if you (meaning Lotsoft users) edit your windows "Hosts" file you (winsumloosesum) won't need to mess with the hardcoded address in Lotsoft's Props.mdb file. 

With the windows Hosts file (every windows machine has one) you can redirect a hostname to an ip address. So it tells your PC whenever it needs to communicate with a specific hostname eg. ftps60.brinkster.com to go to another, for eg. 127.0.0.1 instead.

The process essentially re-routes all packets that would be destined to particular host to an IP address of your choice (your new FTP in this case). It should be a seamless process. 

The change to the hosts file is as simple as adding a line such the one below, where you would replace 127.0.0.1 with the target IP address.

127.0.0.1  ftps60.brinkster.com

There are many tutorials online about how to edit the windows hosts file. 

Hope this helps.

Quote: Originally posted by TrueDookie on Feb 12, 2015

Could be wrong, but i think the draws for 10th and 11th feb are the same.

Quote: Originally posted by winsumloosesum on Feb 12, 2015

Your correct.  Thank you for discovering the errors.

IMPORTANT:  Make a backup copy of the P3.mdb and P4.mdb files.  These are located in the C:\Program Files\INW\Lotsoft\Data folder.  Make a new folder and name it Backup Files.  Copy and paste the P3.mdb and P4.mdb files into the backup folder.

For those who have NOT performed a Live Update today (check you state(s) game(s) for duplicates, I just corrected the draw histories around 7:40 pm est Thursday evening.  You can perform a Live Update and draws should be correct.

For those who have duplicate draws you can do 1 of 2 things:

Open each of the Pick 3 and Pick 4 games and delete the duplicate draw.

OR

Click the Live Update and select "Force Overwrite existing draws" then click "Start Live Update" button.

Important: If you have made changes to you particular states draw history, that is found errors and corrected them, by performing a "Force Overwrite" you will need go through all the draws for your particular state and make the corrections again.

Let me know if this worked!!

Quote: Originally posted by TrueDookie on Feb 18, 2015

It worked. I used the forced overwrite option and then opened up a few states at random and checked and they all seemed fine. Thanks for your great work.

Still struggling to understand the program . It's so full of great stats that help us in turn understand better these games we play.

One more thing. I notice when it is updating it says it's updating 71 draws but I only have 61 states in my list. I don't mind manually adding the missing states but how do we let them update, since those draws must be going somewhere. if it says it's updating all 71 "states" but I only have 61.

Quote: Originally posted by Vtay3171 on Feb 18, 2015

what program is this...does it work on pick 3 and 4?

Quote: Originally posted by LottoBux on Feb 18, 2015

Yes It Does.

It's Mainly A Statistical Tool With Lots Of Filters If That's What You're Looking For.