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Interview with Author Phil Mason
Phil Mason discusses his new book, In the Know...SAS Tips and Techniques From Around the Globe, Second Edition with Authorline, as he awaits its publication.
- Authorline (AL): What audience are you targeting with this second edition?
- Phil Mason (PM): I try to write my books, papers, and courses for the SAS user. I think about how I would like material to be presented and how I could best use it. I try to get to the core of the information and present it succinctly. I hope that those writing SAS code will be able to flick through my book and quickly learn new things and know how to apply them.
- (AL): What features of the book are you especially pleased with?
- (PM): This book covers SASŪ9, and I have tried to put in the things about SASŪ9 that I have found most interesting and useful over the last few years. I have been using it extensively. I particularly like the ODS tips in this book since there is just so much you can do with ODS, and it really can save you a mountain of coding.
- (AL): How will your book benefit SAS users?
- (PM): Any SAS user from beginner to seasoned professional should be able to find some useful tip that they can apply in their day-to-day programming work.
- (AL): What were some of the joys of writing this book?
- (PM): I enjoy programming with SAS, and I always have. I also love sharing interesting and useful things that I find out with others. That is why I write papers, run user groups, and write books. I've enjoyed trying to record all the most useful things about SAS in my book so that others might get some benefit from what I have learned.
- (AL): What did you learn while writing this book that would be important for other authors to know?
- (PM): Books take a lot of time and effort. Even if you have most of the material worked out, there are still a lot of things that must be done to turn them into a book. I'd advise new authors to be able to put aside at least a few hours each week before they think about writing a book. I was short of free time, which meant the book took a very long time to finish.
- (AL): Do you see advantages to publishing with SAS? Please explain.
- (PM): Definitely. You get oodles of help from SAS - as much or little as you want. They provide you with the software you need, technical advice, technical review, access to experts, etc.
- (AL): Your book will be going to the printer in a few weeks. How does it feel to be in the home stretch of such a long project?
- (PM): Great to have it nearly complete after such a long time.
- (AL): What advice would you give to potential authors?
- (PM): Go for it. If you have an idea for a book, run it by the people at SAS Press and see what they think. They can help and advise you from there.
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Phil Mason is the author of In the Know...SAS Tips & Techniques From Around the Globe. He is an independent SAS consultant with extensive international experience, and has a broad background working with mainframe and PC environments as well as a detailed knowledge of numerous operating systems and local area networks. A sampling of Mason's many projects includes: application analysis and design, data warehouse design, data modeling, computer measurement, writing training materials, and conducting training classes. Benefit from Phil Mason's practical skills and experience in this updated edition of clever tips. |
