🚀 go-pugleaf

Hi,

If Anyone can Help me. I'm a new researcher in the field of financial
modelling. I'm trying to figure what are the best combination of packages to
use in the "long term" (a weird economic idea). I've tried : RATS, GAUSS,
EVIEWS, MATLAB, MIN-TAB, MAPLE V. I enjoy using various aspects of these
software for their inherent strengths, but I am finding that I need to
specialise in one of these packages, otherwise I'll get nowhere.

What I need to know about S PLUS is this: is it an appropriate software
package for modelling time series, Bayesian Analysis, SDE, simulations (e.g.
bootstrapping, jack-knifing). Is it easy to learn? Does it offer anything
above that say MATLAB (and its toolboxes) provides? Whats the difference
between the two? I love matlab for its ability with arrays, but find matlab
statistical routines a bit sparse on the web (is it the right package for
staitsical analysis). If anyone specialises in S PLUS, and is familiar with
MATLAB, could you please reply.

I am looking for:

* Point and click features for "standard statistical anaylsis"
* A powerful language that is capable of handling very large arrays and
large numerical optimisations for those "extra special" problems
* Good academic support for new techniques i.e. do other staticians or
mathematucuans use it?

The large number of software *platforms* makes it very difficult for me to
decide. My thanx in advance for any assistance.

Cheers,
Philip

hoang@commerce.uq.edu.au