[Rd] Citation of R packages

[John Maindonald]

The bibtex citations provided by citation() do not
work all that well in cases where there is no printed
document to reference:
(1) A version field is needed, as the note field is
required for other purposes, currently trying to
sort out nuances that cannot be sorted out in the
author list (author, compiler, implementor of R version,
contributor, ...) and maybe giving a cross-reference
to a book or paper that is somehow relevant.
(2) Maybe the author field should be more nuanced, or
maybe ...
(3) In compiling a list of packages, name order seems
preferable, and one wants the title first (achieved by
relocating the format.title field in the manual FUNCTION
in the .bst file
(4) manual seems not an ideal name for the class, if
there is no manual.

Maybe what is needed is a package or suchlike class,
and several alternative .bst files that handle the needed
listings.

I know at least one other person who is wrestling with
this, and others on this list must be wrestling with it.

John Maindonald             email: john.maindonald at anu.edu.au
phone : +61 2 (6125)3473    fax  : +61 2(6125)5549
Mathematical Sciences Institute, Room 1194,
John Dedman Mathematical Sciences Building (Building 27)
Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200.