Monday 21 March 2011

NOTE: Relief for my Book Shelves

I confess it's been a bit quiet in this little corner of the internet. I've been busy finalising my SAS Global Forum paper (now done), interpreting it as Powerpoint slides, preparing proposals for an unexpected rush of interest in my services, and keeping my current customers satisfied. Despite the workload, I couldn't possibly ignore the fact that sasCommunity.org has published a raft of old proceedings from SAS User Group International (SUGI, the forerunner to SAS Global Forum). From 1976 to 1996 to be precise. My thanks to Chris Hemedinger for the alert.

Quite apart from the nostalgia factor (not insignificant), this development allows me to dispose of those huge great printed copies of proceedings from those conferences I attended so many years ago - SUGI 18 in 1993 being my first. Ah, the memories of lugging a heavy suitcase back home after a conference!

Whilst the SAS product has changed hugely over the intervening years, many of the papers still hold valuable tips for use of the Base programming language and macros.

I'm looking forward to this year's conference, but my progress through my workload has been slowed whilst I reminisce over the old proceedings. Bah!

P.S. If you'd like to offer a good home to my proceedings (1993, 95 and 96 I believe), post a comment. First come, first served. But you have to be prepared to pick them up from me in London. I'm not bringing them to Las Vegas in my luggage!!