GAUSS Overview

Gauss is a powerful matrix-oriented statistical package with a versatile programming language and many add-on modules to perform sophisticated statistical analysis. It is designed for both interactive and non-interactive (batch) uses.

Gauss is "Special Request Software" and therefore University Information Technology Services (UITS) only offers limited support for this software. Documentation is available at various Software Manual Locations and at the Stat/Math Center.

The UITS Stat/Math Center (812/855-4724 or email: statmath@iu.edu) can answer basic questions concerning Gauss.

Note: If you are a student using Gauss for a class exercise, questions about your class work should be directed first towards your class instructors.

Gauss is installed at various locations throughout the university. See the Availability page for details.

Gauss Program Functionality:

Breadth of Functionality: Excellent

Gauss is a very versatile statistical package with almost the same level of functionality like the more popular packages such as SPSS or SAS. The program's capabilities are only limited by the programmer's ability to specify what sort of statistical test they wish to conduct. There are several add-on modules that minimize the amount of basic programming one would have to do but flexibility is Gauss' strongest feature. Some of the add-on modules are Time Series, Maximum Likelihood, Linear regression, Quantal Response, Nonlinear Equations, Optimization, Loglinear Analysis, and Linear Programming. Hence Gauss has a wide variety of functionality.

Some of Gauss' capabilities include:

• Linear Programming
• Time Series
• Descriptive Statistics
• Maximum Likelihood
• Discrete Simulation
• Loglinear analysis
• Optimization
• Nonlinear Equations
• Quantal Response Models (logit, probit, poisson regression)
• Linear Regression
• Graphics

Reliability and Robustness: Fair

The Windows version of Gauss is error free the most part. The unix version of Gauss is still in the developmental stage and frequently encounter errors and problems. However, errors are corrected frequently sending in updates by the vendor.

State of the Art: Fair

Due to Gauss' versatility, the program remains very high in terms of the state of the art.

User Friendliness: Poor

While Gauss' programming language is not terribly difficult to learn if one has some high level computer programming experince, it is rather complicated for the average computer user.

Gauss Help Resources:

Network-based help: Poor

The Knowledge Base (KB) maintained by the UITS Support Center has answers to few basic questions asked about Gauss. This KB may be searched using keywords (e.g., gauss). There is no local Gauss User's Group at IU.

Program's Help System: Poor

Gauss is much more akin to a programming language than a typical statistical package such as SPSS or Systat. As a result, the on-line help system in Gauss is very limited for most tasks. One exception is the Markov add-on package (on DOS platform) which does provide one with an easier to use interface.

Gauss Program Availability:

Gauss is available on UITS systems. For details, see the Statistics Software Availability page.

Gauss Training and Support

Document Availability: Fair

A complete set of Gauss documentation is available for reference at various Software Manual Locations as well at the Stat/Math Center (812/855-4724 or email: statmath@iu.edu).

Documents may be purchased directly from the vendor (Aptech Systems, Inc, 23804 SD.E. Kent-Kangley Road, Maple Valley, WA. 98038; 206/432-7855).

Training Availability: Poor

There are no university sources of training for Gauss. Those who want to get started with Gauss may contact the Stat/Math Center.

User Group: No

There are no local user groups for Gauss. There is an internet Gauss discussion group. To subscribe to the list send a message

to

Once you subscribe you could post your Gauss questions to the net.

UITS consulting support: Limited support

Gauss is categorized as a faculty sponsored software for support. That is, instructors who use this software for instruction are responsible for consulting support. However, limited consulting support is available from Stat/Math Consulting from 9 am to 5 pm (M-F) via phone, email, and for walkins. An appointment is recommended for walkin consulting.

Other consulting support: Fair

Since UITS is providing only limited support for Gauss students using the software as part of their coursework should contact their instructors first for help. Registered Gauss users can contact the vendor directly for help. Gauss users can always turn to their colleagues who are familiar with Gauss for help.