Michael A. Raithel is a senior systems analyst for Westat, an employee-owned contract research organization in the Washington, DC area. An internationally recognized expert in the use of SAS software in mainframe and UNIX environments, he is the author of over 25 SAS technical papers and is a popular lecturer at SAS Global Forum and at regional SAS conferences. He has written four books for SAS; the most recent book is How to Become a Top SAS Programmer. A copy of the first edition Tuning SAS Applications in the MVS Environment, resides in the Smithsonian Institution of American History’s Permanent Research Collection of Information Technology.
Happy New Year to you, your families, and your colleagues! This is the time of year when people make all types of New Year's resolutions. According to the USA.Gov web site, the most popular resolutions are: Lose Weight Volunteer to Help Others Quit Smoking Get a Better Education Get a
So, what is the most unusual place that you have had SAS? Okay, I admit it; I used a somewhat provocative title and lead sentence to get you to read this blog. It must have worked because here you are. But, do not worry; there are no hidden meanings, untoward
Madison Avenue has a new phrase to describe the things they are trying to sell to us: artisan crafted. These days, there are artisan crafted breads and rolls, artisan crafted beers, artisan crafted coffees, artisan crafted soaps, and a host of other artisan crafted products. Artisan crafted seems to have
How do they spell “SAS” in Japan? What does the Japanese version of the SAS Display Manager look like? How is a SAS programming class conducted in Tokyo? These may sound like pretty random questions, but I found myself wondering about them as I began preparing for my trip to
It was a case of life imitating art—the fine art of SAS programming, that is! I had arranged the perfect 4-day weekend. I would take the train to Philadelphia on Saturday. Run the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday. Visit with my friend Frank DiIorio and his wife April on Monday. And
One of the perks of being a SAS Press Author is being invited to give presentations at local SAS users group meetings. There are over 70 registered local SAS users groups distributed throughout the United States, from sea to shining sea. Local groups serve a given geographic area—often near a
Occasionally, people ask me what is the best thing about writing a book. Is it the notoriety you get from being a SAS Press author? Fame is always pleasant. Is it the money you make from the advance and the royalties? Money is always useful. Is it displaying technical expertise
Sometimes it happens. You’ve rearranged your busy schedule to find that perfect time to write your SAS conference paper, article, or book chapter. It’s early in the morning, or late at night, or a weekend day, or you took a day off from work. Your significant other, or girlfriend, or boyfriend is out-and-about
Think that you have a good excuse for not completing that SAS users group conference paper, technical article, or SAS Press book chapter? Well, whatever your excuse is, I’ve got a bigger one. Really! Things at the office are so busy that you need to take work home? I can
Please don’t tell me that you do not have the time to write a book for SAS Press. I already know that. You have a lot of things to attend to: a demanding job, family responsibilities, housework, yard work, shopping, cooking, eating, reading, favorite TV shows, commuting, sports to play,
