A bit more info that I have discovered and some other stuff passed on to me by someone else in the same boat as me:

The new Tabcorp site uses a combination of "cookies" and the "referral address" (this is some information that your web browser sends to the website that tells the website whether you have entered the address directly or clicked on a link and if so where that link was) to intentionally try to block anyone using automated software from retrieving information from their website.

The way that have done it, however, has also stopped a lot of normal users if they have higher security settings on their PC than the standard or if they are not using a recent version of Internet Explorer. A LOT of users who want to protect their online privacy by turning off "cookies" within their browser will be unable to use the new site.

My friend, who has spoken to someone within Tabcorp, has reported that Tabcorp was not aware of the number of users who were using data retrieval software. According to this source Tabcorp are reconsidering the policy and may look at re-opening the old site for those who cant access the new one.

Personally I am not holding my breath as I doubt anything will be done. I am sure the intention was to cut the amount of traffic to their website by eliminating the automated access component and who cares if it pi**es a whole lot of people off! No doubt the customer service people would like the problem fixed but the big bosses don't have to take the calls so they will only be looking at the bottom line in terms of dollars spent on internet bandwidth charges.

Clearly an attempt to block automated retrieval.

There are results only available for the last 12 months now.

Prior they had at least 4 years worth.

I agree it's a bandwidth issue, and if past experiences tell me anything - they won't be fixing anything too soon, regardless of feedback.

I know of at least 10 commercial programs that use data from the site, both for retrieval and bet placement, let alone all the individuals who have writtren their own programs.

They've successfully snookered all players
:evil:

[ This Message was edited by: Chrome Prince on 2003-09-05 15:37 ]

Hi Chrome Prince,
Once again it shows the utter stupidity of those running SuperTab.

1. They don't have flexi betting.

2. They don't have first fours.

3. Now they're going to lose all the turnover generated by computer programs which no longer work using SuperTab internet data to the NSW and UniTab sites. These TABs Management can hardly believe their luck. They must be laughing.

Cheers, Neil.

So what does all this mean, no more freebies reading the markets?

Well it's official now...The Tabcorp site is well and truely st*ffed.

Here's a recount of my day!

Tried to login to my account around 11am.
ERROR-page could not be found.
Finally got in after rebooting at around 12:00
Was placing bets (to use up what's left) and got booted and logged out.
Tried to log back in and got a message saying that I was already logged in.
Tried to logout and got a message saying I was already logged out :lol:

Rebooted and tried to login again.
got error page could not be found.

GAVE UP!

Went to normal page to look at approximates and results.
For a while it went o.k.
Then every time I went to look at the approximates for race 6 Sydney, I got directed to race 5 Albion Pk Harness.

Went and had a coffee.

Came back and tried other races, sometimes it worked, other times I got night meetings (dogs and trots).

Used Unitab for the rest of the day.

Won't be going back.

Chrome Prince

Your last 2 lines say it all.
Is there some way that this thread can be sent to Tabcorp?

Unless SuperTab come up with something more reliable or stable for computer programs to retrieve race prices from their site I will be recommending my customers using SuperTab and all future clients to use either UniTab or the NSW TAB.

I know Unitab looks the most rudimentary of the tab sites, but all the info you need is within 1 click. I love all the results being visible on one page! And lately the results have been posted within seconds of the end of the race. Give me simple usability over flash any day!

Unitab actually have a very good formguide which you can import to excel and make your own ratings. O.K. it's not as comprehensive as some, but provides some data you can work with.

If Anyone would like some basic download applications ( Built in Excel to download the form Past results and Tommorrows Racing ) for UniTab Let Me Know and Post your email Address.

You Will also need to have an Account open with them as you need to activate the account to get the expanded form Guide.

R
Pete