The hidden costs of GPL software?
This has been an interesting discussion. I make the following comment with hesitation, since I have neither the time nor the ability to implement it myself. Using CLI software, an infrequent user has trouble remembering the known functions needed and trouble finding new ones (especially as that user gets older). What might help is an added help facility more oriented towards tasks, rather than structured around functions or packages. Such a help facility might have a tree structure. Want help? Are you looking for information on (1) data manipulation or (2) analysis? If (1), do you want to to (3) import or export data, (4) transform data, (5) reshape data, or (6) select data? If (2), do you want to (7) fit a model or (8) make a graph? And so on.... Once appropriate function(s) are located, the user would be directed (by hyperlinks) to the existing help framework. That could help the problem of knowing what you want to do, but not what it is called. I think that "Introductory Statistics with R" is a step in that direction for the basics, as MASS is for more complex matters. The question is whether such material can be incorporated into a help system that will allow users to find, more easily, what they need. That largely depends, it seems to me, on a great deal of work by volunteers. I agree also with the suggestion that a dedicated editor (or add-in) that could supply arguments for functions might be considerable help. MHP
Michael Prager, Ph.D. Population Dynamics Team, NMFS SE Fisheries Science Center NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 http://shrimp.ccfhrb.noaa.gov/~mprager/