Shared frailty models are a way of allowing correlated observations into proportional hazards models. Briefly, instead of l_i(t) = l_0(t)e^(x_iB), we allow l_ij(t) = l_0(t)e^(x_ijB + g_i), where observations j are in clusters i, g_i is typically norma…
Example 9.7: New stuff in SAS 9.3– Frailty models
Shared frailty models are a way of allowing correlated observations into proportional hazards models. Briefly, instead of l_i(t) = l_0(t)e^(x_iB), we allow l_ij(t) = l_0(t)e^(x_ijB + g_i), where observations j are in clusters i, g_i is typically norma…
Web Report Studio: Who stole my pie (chart)?
Ok – I”ll just say it. I hate pie charts. If there are more than a few categories – then the user has to interpret the ranking order, it slows them down, and they may loose interest in the report that you so lovingly prepared. Maybe you say – “Tricia, add the numbers! Geez – you’re so dramatic!” Then I will calmly reply to your dramatic outburst, if I want to have numbers – then why not just provide a data table? Let’s look at some examples so I can use the power of screen captures to sway you to my way of thinking. 30-Second Test Consider the following beautiful pie chart from Web Report Studio – you have 30 seconds to decide the product had the largest sales. It will take 30 seconds because you have to determine which slice actually is the largest (and there are two competitors) and then correlate the slice color to the product name in the legend. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Ok – let’s try the method of adding the numbers. Note that this beauty contest winner is getting cluttered. To make room for the numbers, the chart is getting smaller. I could use percentages to make the […]
The default settings are not good enough
Today, I came across this article that discusses how software users rarely change the settings in the applications that they use. Users assume that the software vendor sets the default values as they are for a reason, and who are they to set them otherwise? I’m a software developer (and […]
What has 435 pages, 500+ screen caps, and is ready for SAS Press today?
We can’t adequately convey how exciting and satisfying it is to get the Building BI With SAS book to this final stage! After awaiting feedback from reviewers, implementing the majority of suggested changes, and retaking all of the 500+ images, the CD is burned and ready for drop off. SAS Press will now take all of this content, run through editorial staff, create an index, finalize the artwork, and create a printable book. This phase typically takes around 90 days, so the likely available date for purchase is January 2012. Fun Book Statistics Content Chapters: 10 MS Word Page count: 435 TIF Files (screen caps): 536 Space on SAS Press CD: 678MB Longest chapter: Prompt Framework (60 pages) Chapter with most screen captures: Web Report Studio (94) Chapter that took longest to write: Introduction – rewritten 3 times! 🙂 Chapter that took least time to write: Introduction (the first time!) Reviewer comments: Avg 12 per chapter Time Line Book Proposed – Dec 2010 Contract written for book – Jan 2011 Final draft due date – Jan 2012 – Delivered 4 months ahead of schedule Total Days writing: 244 Book available: Jan 2012 (maybe even the first week!) Reviewer Comments Three […]
Few of my favourite things – SAS informats
Australian merino wool sweaters, Russian watches, Swiss chocolate, Chinese silk blouses, Canadian country music, American sweatshirts, English knitting patterns, Californian pistachios, French muesli, Egyptian bracelets, Scottish kilts, the list goes o…