R help - Jun 2005 - enhanced multidimensional scaling?

Dear R list

Would anyone be able to tell me whether it is possible to do "enhanced 
multidimensional scaling" (enhanced MDS) in R? In other words, something
that
goes beyond "cmdscale" by iteratively improving the fit between
observed
dissimilarities and inter-object distances, using the KYST algorithm 
(Kruskal, 1964).

I have found several implementations of non-metric MDS in various packages but 
nothing like what I have described above.

Thanks in advance
-- 
Karen Kotschy
Centre for Water in the Environment
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg

P/Bag X3, Wits, 2050
Tel: +2711 717-6425

>>>>> "Karen" == Karen Kotschy <karen at
biology.biol.wits.ac.za>
>>>>>     on Tue, 28 Jun 2005 13:13:31 +0200 writes:
    Karen> Dear R list Would anyone be able to tell me whether
    Karen> it is possible to do "enhanced multidimensional
    Karen> scaling" (enhanced MDS) in R? In other words,
    Karen> something that goes beyond "cmdscale" by iteratively
    Karen> improving the fit between observed dissimilarities
    Karen> and inter-object distances, using the KYST algorithm
    Karen> (Kruskal, 1964).

Since you know about cmdscale(), do read it's help page more
carefully, in particular the section  "See Also:"
{which, in an ESS help buffer, is reachable by simple "s s"
The help page of the first function mentioned there is entitled
`` Kruskal's Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling ''

    Karen> I have found several implementations of non-metric
    Karen> MDS in various packages but nothing like what I have
    Karen> described above.

well, you've mentioned Kruskal(1964), but not described much
more, hence I hope the above hint does help.

Regards,
Martin Maechler, ETH Zurich