Alan J. Robinson wrote:
> I would like to be able to do relatively simple manipulation and
> analysis of data sets, along the lines of the basic capabilities of
> SAS. [...] Are there other tools out there [...] ?
Over the past 10 years or so I have used
* SigmaPlot
* Axum
* DeltaGraph (Macintosh only)
* CricketGraph
* Origin
* CaleidaGraph
* ...
and a few other packages. I vote for SigmaPlot without hesitation, even
though it does not have a 'trial' (free-of-charge) version so you just
have to buy it. There is also a companion program
* SigmaStat,
which came not only with a manual but also with a really useful textbook
on Biostatistics.
Take a look at
http://www.spss.com/software/science/sigmaplot/index.html
O yes, another beautiful textbook distributed with the software is the
splendid "Visual Display if Quantitive Information" (forgot the author
right now), almost a 'coffee-table' piece (assuming that you frequently
have scientific types over for coffee, or graphic artists for that
matter). Many graphs in "Visual Display..." are included with SigmaPlot
Graphic Library as templates. There are also templates for slide
presentations... etc.
Anyway, go for SigmaPlot. Is has served me very well...
_____________________________________________________________
Petr Kuzmic Ph.D. * BioKin Ltd. * Madison, WI 53708-8336, USA
pkuzmic at biokin.com * http://www.biokin.com * 608.256.1269 fax
