John Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote <<< I'm thinking of purchasing an HP-39G or a TI-83+ for studying statistics on my own. Although TI-83+ is far more popular, HP-39G is 2x less expensive.
Which one is better from functionality standpoint? >>> and Duncan Murdoch replied > > > > Do you have access to a full-size computer? (It seems you do, since > > you're posting to Usenet, but maybe you're at the library or > > something...) > > > > If you do, you're *much* better off getting software for it than > > buying a special calculator. Part of statistics is looking at your > > data, and you just can't see much on a little calculator screen. > > > > I'm not sure what software to recommend. If you're comfortable with > > programming, then R (see www.r-project.org) is very good, and free, > > but it will be a little daunting for you to start with on your own, > > and if you aren't used to programming, you'll really need help. I agree with Duncan that a computer is much better than a calculator for this purpose. I also agree that R is very good, but also daunting. But what type of statistics are you planning to study on your own? Many texts, these days, come with programs in some language or other. If you are studying introductory statistics, and if money is tight, then the cheapest (and quite possibly best) method is to download R and buy a copy of Peter Dalgaard's Introductory Statistics with R, which is a gentle introduction to both R and statistics. There are easier programs to use, but they are also much easier to misuse. Especially if you are a beginner, and especially working on your own, you do NOT (IMHO) want a point and click interface that let's you do all sorts of things. It's too tempting to do things without understanding them. HTH Peter Peter L. Flom, PhD Assistant Director, Statistics and Data Analysis Core Center for Drug Use and HIV Research National Development and Research Institutes 71 W. 23rd St www.peterflom.com New York, NY 10010 (212) 845-4485 (voice) (917) 438-0894 (fax) . . ================================================================= Instructions for joining and leaving this list, remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES, and archives are available at: . http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ . =================================================================
