Thanks! (Was: Re: [R] R-2.1.0 is released)

[Naji]

Some thoughts:
* As it's free (no guarantee) and 'matrix oriented' (all the details can be
accessed), R user has (sic) better control of what he's doing. In my
opinion, R is a better learning tool than others
* No doubt that the intangible asset of R is the R users and their
commitment to share help, advices, code. In 15 years, I saw some software
declining because they never succeeded activating their user community..
* For researchers, sharing code catalyze citations. For example, as I'm
modeling consumer choice in FMCG, I'm likely to use MNP package in R and
then cite Kosuke Imai rather than developing any specific code.

On the other side, for professional issues, companies need commitment from a
third party in order to get the adequate support ASAP (SAS, SPSS..). Don't
forget that universities have to train their students with the softwares
companies are using.
As a researcher (R user) and practitioner (R+others), I'd hire
- first one who control R AND the software used in the company
- second choice : one who control software used in the company rather than R

Best regrds
Naji

Le 20/04/05 19:43, « Spencer Graves » <spencer.graves at pdf.com> a écrit :

>       Permit me to echo Bjørn-Helge Mevik's thanks.
> 
>       I've been telling people that R is rapidly becoming the platform
> of choice for new statistical algorithm development for many reasons.
> 
>       * First, it gives someone almost instant access to many of the
> leading international experts in statistical computing.  This includes
> free access to some of the best code available for almost any
> statistical application.
> 
>       * Second, it provides new algorithm developers with an easy way to
> solicit feedback on their code from many others, including not only the
> recognized experts in statistical computing but many others who know a
> lot but may not be as well known.
> 
>       * Third, distributing an R package is a type of publication.  It
> may not count in the peer review process, but it might reach more people
> and build one's reputation faster than a standard publication.  Also, I
> wonder how this impacts how easy it might be to get something published
> in a more traditional way?
> 
>       At a conference recently, someone claimed that universities are
> dumping SAS, SPSS, Minitab, etc., for R because R is free and the
> alternatives are not.  I don't know the extent to which this is true,
> but I can see another reason for doing this:  It's incredibly easy for
> instructors to share their latest code with their students.
> 
>       Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
> 
>       Comments?
>       Best Wishes,
>       Spencer Graves
> 
> Bjørn-Helge Mevik wrote:
> 
>> I'd like to thank the developers in the Core Team for their great
>> work!  R has become an invaluable and indispensible tool for (at least)
>> me, much thanks to the hard and good work of the Core Team.
>> 
>>  
>> 
> 
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