Re: [Gretl-devel] Signalling
On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 4:10 PM, Logan Kelly <logan.kelly(a)uwrf.edu> wrote:
While I strongly believe that usability is currently the most
imperative issue for Gretl (though not necessarily the most important), I do not agree
with Dr. Yalta that Hansel is a mistake. I could not do the research I do with a GUI based
stats package. It would take hours. R is a fine package, so is Ox and Matlab, etc. I use
each, but Gretl's matrix programing and scripting language is nothing to sneeze at and
like each of the others is a great tools for the jobs it does.
OK, I agree. Hansl is so good that it is hard to believe that just one
person developed it (with some limited help from a small community of
people). The fact remains that gretl has always been pretty much a one
man operation and it is not a good use of resources to undertake the
colossal task of developing a matrix programing and scripting
language, especially when there is already excellent free
alternatives.
Allin has been working with great dedication on gretl for about 14
years now. That is a long time. What will happen when he eventually
wants to step back? He probably wants to do that now but cannot. Gretl
quickly needs to position itself as the link between Excel and R,
which will be increasingly important. In the next 5 years it has to
make some important inroads into the corporations, universities and
government agencies. If it can start dominating those areas, it is
quite possible that the program will start receiving support and
resources from some places with deep pockets. Allin would be like
Linus, if you will. Gretl would go from success to success and we
would brag about being there during history in the making. Don't
underestimate those who Jack calls the "low end segment of the
market".
Otherwise, I see a bleak future for gretl. Time is ticking. Mark my words.
Talha
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“Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt.” –
Herbert C. Hoover (1874-1964)
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