Category Archives: Data Analysis Software

IBM SPSS Statistics 19 New Features

IBM/SPSS have posted to their web site the features of IBM SPSS Statistics 19, the latest version of SPSS for 2010 (known briefly for a time as PASW Statistics). New features include general linear mixed models, faster performance, a statistics web portal, automated linear models, a few syntax editor improvements, default measurement levels, a few new direct marketing capabilities and integration with the (new) IBM SPSS Collaboration and Deployment Services system. Continue reading →

Posted on August 17, 2010 by kupferman | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Ruby Tabulation Software

Tim Macer of meaning ltd. wrote an article about Ruby Tabluation Software from the Australian firm Red Centre Software. I’ve always struggled way ways to automate the analysis and reporting on my ongoing surveys so I was intrigued. I signed up for the trial (they were very flexible — first they spent about an hour and a half with me on a webinar and then they let me try the full, unencumbered version of the software for more than a month) and fell in love with it. Continue reading →

Posted on October 20, 2009 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PASW Statistics 18.0 (SPSS Statistics) New Features

SPSS has announced the new features that they plan to the upcoming release of PASW Statistics 18 (formerly know as SPSS Statistics 18, or SPSS Base). Continue reading →

Posted on July 9, 2009 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

SPSS Statistics 17.0 Frustrates Me (a review)

I finally received my copy of SPSS Statistics 17 a couple of days ago and determined that I would try to push past my frustration with the “new and improved” Java-based interface and use it to analyze some data for a report I’m working on. But I can’t do it. There aren’t enough compelling features in the new version of SPSS to help me get past my frustration with the Java interface. So I’m sticking with SPSS 15. Continue reading →

Posted on October 22, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SPSS 18 New Features Survey

SPSS has been conducting a survey for the last couple of weeks to help them develop SPSS Statistics 18 (the “new” name of what has formerly just been known as SPSS 17). One generally imagines that the questions that are … Continue reading →

Posted on October 17, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SPSS 17.0 Features Announced

SPSS has announced SPSS 17.0, which will feature improved research and reporting tools, greater accessibility for business users combined with new functionality for statistical programmers, and easier enterprise integration, deployment and management. Continue reading →

Posted on July 14, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

SPSS or Excel

Why use a data analysis package like SPSS when you could use Excel? I’ve just come across an interesting marketing piece from SPSS that goes into benefits one gets from using a dedicated data analysis package instead of trying to do all of your analysis in a spreadsheet. While it would be fair to expect that this isn’t necessary an unbiased comparison, it might offer some food for thought to those of you trying to figure out why you should bother to upgrade. Continue reading →

Posted on May 26, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

SPSS 16 for Mac Doesn't Make the Cut

Bertolt Meyer of Zurich, Switzerland has written a not-very-happy review of SPSS for the Mac 16.0. His general thesis is that it is the “most insulting piece of software” he has ever come across. He felt that it didn’t look nor act like an Macintosh application; it isn’t properly internationalized; and more than a dozen bugs. Continue reading →

Posted on March 29, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Review of SPSS Tables 16 (SPSS add-on)

Let’s say you’re a market researcher, you have an extra $1000 lying around, and you’re looking for an easier way to improve the look, feel and efficiency of your cross-tabs. What do you buy? If you’re me, you buy the the Tables add-on for SPSS. While the text below certainly isn’t a detailed tutorial on how to use SPSS Tables, it should give you an idea of the features it makes available to help you decide whether it is worth the money. Continue reading →

Posted on March 27, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SPSS 17.0 Drops Support for PowerPC Macs

SPSS announced recently to its Mac-based customers that SPSS 17.0 for Mac would not be released for the PowerPC based Mac, effectively discontinuing SPSS development for the PowerPC. PowerPC Mac users presently represent about 3% of all online computer users, down from 4.2% back in 2006 when the Intel based Mac was released. Continue reading →

Posted on March 23, 2008 by kupferman | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment