X-VMS-To: IN%"sas-l@vtvm2.cc.vt.edu"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.sas-l
Date:         Sat, 19 Dec 1992 22:51:00 EDT
Reply-To:     SHANK%UNCVX1.BITNET@VTVM2.CC.VT.EDU
From:         SHANK%UNCVX1.BITNET@VTVM2.CC.VT.EDU
Subject:      Book Ideas
Comments: To: sas-l@VTVM2.CC.VT.EDU

I've followed, albeit very erratically, the occasional references to
my book ("SAS Applications Programming: A Gentle Introduction") on
SAS-L.  Given the attention it has received here, I thought this would
be a good forum for your comments on two items: [1] the second edition
and [2] the "Junior" edition.  The wheels are turning on both fronts,
and before I get too far along I'd like to solicit opinions.


[1] Second Edition --------------------------------------------------

Keep in mind that we want the Second Edition to be smaller than the
first. I'd be interested in:
. what you **really** liked liked - things (features, chapters,
  passages, ...) that would be missed if they were deleted.
. things that need clarification but warrant inclusion.
. things that should go (did anyone use Appendices D or E? The RANK or
  SCORE procedures?).  Obviously, since everyone's at Version 6.x now
  the references to what's new in Version 6 (App. F and other places
  throughout the text) can be deleted.
. new features, such as:
  .. use just 2 or 3 sample datasets and present extended, annotated
     examples of their use at the end of each chapter
  .. discuss the Display Manager
  .. **maybe** talk about %INCLUDE and very simple macros, macro
     variables
  .. automatically include the data/program diskette with each copy
     (how many of you were aware that this disk is available with the
     current edition???)
. mistakes in the first edition (i.e., let's get the thing right before
  we improve it!)
. any materials used as supplements to the book [like your class
  notes, Mike Z.!]
. and, of course, anything else that you feel may be at all relevant.


[2] "Junior" edition -------------------------------------------------

The "Junior" edition (obviously we don't even have a working title
yet) will be aimed at the student population who needs some guidance
for doing more basic, statistical tasks and does not envision
continuing on either with programming or statistics.  Aside from the
target population differences vis a vis the first book, it will be
shorter (approx 300-350 pages), have smaller dimensions, and be
cheaper.

My editor has ideas about what to include, but I'd like some feedback
from any of you who are using the first edition in the classroom.
Specifically, is "Junior" simply a matter of paring out the advanced
beginner/intermediate material from the first ed.?  Should the
arrangement of material be different (bare-bones syntax for "quick
start", then layer more advanced features in later chapters?). As
before, any and all comments are welcome.


Thanks for your time. If you want to respond by phone rather than
e-mail, call 919-942-2028 during East Coast working hours. Or, if you
prefer using traditional mail, send to:
  102 Westbury Drive
  Chapel Hill NC 27516-9154

PS: a small plug for the first edition: it is available from the
    Institute's Publications department (919-677-8000).
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU