Yes, but getting a gratis copy of a non-expired newer version of JMP takes no
effort at all.
I understand the policy of not helping with nonfree software and I accept it.
I am just pointing out the dilemma as I see it.
As far as the programming language R, remember that these technologies are
just tools--they are not the actual solution. If he has an adequate tool for
the work he is doing, nothing fancier is necessary.
He is used to JMP, and he likes JMP. Why should he switch to R?
I will tell you the answer to that question: He should switch because freedom
is more important than convenience.
So you can try and argue that he should use R instead of JMP, but it is not a
relevant argument. A better argument is that if somebody wants to know what
is the better tool in general, the answer is R. But we are talking about a
specific person, not general advice for anyone.
You suggested R as an alternative to JMP, that was nice of you--thanks. Your
comment that R is a very popular language is also useful--thanks.
If JMP is too slow running on top of WINE, then this is irrelevant. In that
case the person will probably use JMP on Windows and--maybe--everything else
on GNU/Linux. If it is not too slow, and I can get this person to spend all
of their time on GNU/Linux instead of Windows, then running JMP on top of
WINE is a small price to pay. Even if this person never goes beyond that (as
you have mentioned by selecting choice (a) )
