Join us at 6:30 for a Revolutions-sponsored cocktail hour, to be followed by John Chambers' keynote at 7:30pm. We're excited to have Professor Chambers, the creator of the S language (which R is based upon), as our speaker at this year's Predictive Analytics World.

This talk looks at choices for computing with data, and finishes with some gentle suggestions for a broader choice of software, motivated by a look at present paradigms and past history. On the history side, we look at R's early prehistory; that is, at the early evolution of its ancestor, the S system. Reflecting on what has changed since then, and also what has not, will be helpful. Along the way, we also reflect on some possible reasons for the growth of S and R. All these reflections highlight the importance of different basic paradigms - basic concepts for the computational tasks. Interfaces between paradigms has always been key. In the present, we have more choices of paradigms and interfaces. The variety is important, because it relates to corresponding challenges in serious applications. The gentle suggestion is that using multiple paradigms can be a good strategy, easier than it may seem, and often enjoyable.

R would not exist if not for John's instrumental role in creation and nurturing of S in the first place. Lately he is active in the R community including being on the board of the R Foundation. His latest book is “Software for Data Analysis: Programming with R” (Springer, 2008).

See John's Vitae

This is the second year Predictive Analytics World has hosted our February kick off meeting. Thanks Eric!

Note, useR members need not register for Predictive Analytics World itself & are invited to the reception hosted by REvolution Computing from 6:30 - 7:30.

John's presentation will start at 7:30 sharp!