Opening Keynote

SAS 9.2 Classic and Platform Releases:
What's New and Upcoming

Rick Langston

2008 has been an exciting year with the release of SAS 9.2 Classic. Rick Langston's keynote will discuss new features available with this release, along with new capabilities that will be rolled out in 2009 with the release of SAS 9.2 Platform. Rick's focus will be on Foundation features such as Base, Stat, ODS, and Graph, but will highlight many different areas of interest.

A new feature this year at WUSS is our Featurered Presentation given by Art Carpenter: “Programming for Job Security: Maximize Your Indispensability – Become a Specialist”. This presentation is guaranteed to entertain and enlighten you!

A great deal has been said about programming techniques designed for the efficiency and maintainability of SAS® programs. We are taught to write code that minimizes machine and programmer resources. Unfortunately, easily maintained code requires fewer programmers, and fewer programmers mean pink slips and less job security. In these troubled times, programmers need to be able to maximize their indispensability. They need to become specialists – job security specialists.
In this presentation, Art will share with the audience how they can secure financial protection for themselves and their families by applying his suggested programming techniques. These techniques will cover programming style, editing style and naming conventions, as well as statements to use and to avoid. He will also cover ideas such as learning how to blur data steps, make non-assigning assignment statements, rewrite functions, take advantage of obscure options, use language features to full effect, and, in general, write code that no one will be able to figure out.

Carpenter, who has presented frequently at SUGI, SAS Global Forum, WUSS and other users group conferences, has written four books and numerous papers. He has been using SAS® since 1976 and has served in various leadership positions in local, regional, national and international users groups. In 2003, Carpenter served as the Conference Chair of SUGI 28. He is a SAS Certified Advanced Programmer, and through California Occidental Consultants, he teaches SAS courses and provides contract SAS programming support nationwide.

As WUSS powers down for the final time in 2008, come join in the celebration of best papers at the closing session, and enjoy your chance to win raffles, door prizes and other freebies.

Welcome to your first WUSS! Come hear about the opportunities for learning, networking and professional development while at the conference. Gain valuable tips on getting the most from your first WUSS conference.

You won't want to miss the SAS sponsored SAS Customer Appreciation Mixer Wednesday evening! Come mingle with SAS employees and other WUSS attendees while enjoying great food and refreshments. You can bring one guest for free. Sign up your guest when you register for the conference.

Please let SAS know how much we appreciate their providing an evening of fun and relaxation!

Lunch on Thursday will once again be an opportunity to share SAS or life stories with fellow attendees, SAS Institute staff or well-known SAS experts. We encourage you to sit with folks you don't already know!

Are you interested in browsing through numerous SAS publications, documentation, books written by users and other helpful resources? At WUSS 2008, you will have the opportunity to visit SAS Publishing in the exhibit and demo Area. A 20% discount is given on publications and products purchased during the conference.