I want to perform some statistical anayses (e.g., using the NLSY data), I would like to know which one is the best. Personally, I have OpenStat, and a free version of SPSS (version 19, -- 14 days trial). The programs available for free are not very good. And i'm not satisfied. If one of you use this kind of program, and know about a good one, let me know.
My concern is that, while I usually understand the stuff behind the econometrics, I rarely do this myself (and this is why I want to get the better tools). And so, if you know about a good guide, then let me know. Thanks.
Why not program your own package using C++? It is what I do when I want to perform analysis or writing programs which analyse data continously.
Try R or Matlab. Both have inbuilt statistics packages. R is free and there are a vast number of open source libraries.
+1 for R.
Its language is a bit idiosyncratic if you come from some other programming language, but the sheer number of available packages make programming almost optional (unless you are into developing your own methods).
PSPP is decent (and open source); however, I have completed several graduate level stats classes and have been able to scrap by with just excel (or the open source equivilent Libre).
Ok. Thanks for the advices !
I'm a big fan of GRETL for many things. For more heavy duty stuff R is probably better like Andris suggested.
Also I tend to prefer free stuff, but if you can get someone to pay for you, more power to you :D
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