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�� <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> a �crit�: > Permit me to echo Bj�rn-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�rn-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. >> >> >> > > ______________________________________________ > [email protected] mailing list > https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help > PLEASE do read the posting guide! http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html > ______________________________________________ [email protected] mailing list https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help PLEASE do read the posting guide! http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html
