[R] Newbie - and OSCON activities ??

[Rich Pinder]

Hello,

I'm a newbie to the community, and look forward to exploring this 
platform for use with Genetic data analysis projects, and interfacing 
with RDBMS.  R looks like a rich arena for both!  I also found the 
introductory Manning book - I've used other of their 'early edition' 
type books, and really enjoy them - this one seems quite good.

There is an annual Open Source conference held by the O'Reilly group - 
often up in Portland, OR.  I'm hoping to attend again this July.  I'm 
not aware of any formal presentation being held on R at the conference 
by looking at the program, but I'm wondering if there are any informal 
gatherings (birds of a feather; special interest groups; user groups..) 
going on during the week ??  If so, I'd want to make it a point to attend..

Thanks !

Rich Pinder
Los Angeles, CA

OSCON:
http://www.oscon.com/oscon2010