blss@bach.berkeley.edu (BLSS Statistical Software) (10/19/88)
BLSS Release 4.0 now available
Release 4.0 of BLSS -- the Berkeley Interactive Statistical System -- is now
available.
WHAT IS BLSS?
BLSS (pronounced "bliss") is a flexible, command-driven, interactive statistics
software system designed specifically for UNIX. It is under continuing
development by the Berkeley Department of Statistics for both educational use
and general purpose statistical analysis. BLSS is aimed at a broad range of
users, from novice to advanced. At Berkeley it is used by over fifteen hundred
students a year in courses at all levels -- from large introductory courses to
specialized grad courses -- in the natural sciences, the social sciences, and
in the Stat Department itself.
BLSS includes standard statistical routines (descriptive statistics, plots,
multiple regression, chi-squared tests, cross-tabulation, confidence intervals,
hypothesis tests, analysis of variance, probability functions, random number
generation, EDA routines, etc.); a selection of advanced techniques (including
spectral analysis and estimation of optimal transforms); matrix manipulation
facilities; and a library of datasets for use in examples. Convenience
features include the ability to abbreviate commands (using strings and
aliases), customize output, review and edit a history of the current session,
write macros (command scripts), and interface with UNIX at both the command and
subroutine levels. Instructional features include a number of specialized
interactive commands (such as coin-tossing, confidence interval simulations,
elementary illustration of the central limit theorem) and the ability to
customize the environment on a per-class basis.
NEW WITH RELEASE 4.0
BLSS Release 4.0 provides general support for System V UNIX, and direct support
for the following System V based computer systems: Macintosh II running A/UX
and IBM RT PC running AIX. Other newly supported UNIX systems with Release 4.0
are the Sun-4 running SunOS and the IBM RT PC running ACIS 4.3. Support for
the Sun-2 and Sun-3, and the VAX and MicroVAX running BSD or ULTRIX, continues
as with previous releases. (The distribution includes the source code, so it
is possible to recompile for other hardware as well).
Release 4.0 corresponds to the just-published book, "BLSS--the Berkeley
Interactive Statistical System", Abrahams & Rizzardi, (1988, W. W. Norton,
412+xx pages). The book includes a comprehensive tutorial introduction with
extensive examples, the on-line reference documentation, appendices on basic
UNIX and vi editor use, and a full index.
Prior to Release 4.0, BLSS was known as Berkeley ISP. The name was changed in
order to avoid confusion with at least two other, unrelated, statistics
software products which are marketed under the name ISP.
For more information, contact:
BLSS Project blss@bach.berkeley.edu (INTERNET)
Department of Statistics blss@ucbbach (BITNET)
University of California ucbvax!bach!blss (UUCP)
Berkeley, CA 94720 415-642-5258