Hi This is to let R folks know about the Data Expo that is being run by the ASA Sections on Statistical Graphics, Statistical Computing, and Statistics and the Environment for JSM 2006. This competition provides a data set of geographic and atmospheric data from NASA and entrants are asked to provide a graphical summary of the important features of the data set. The emphasis is on graphical display, but the data set has time series, spatial, and multivariate features that allow the focus to be directed in a number of different ways. Entries will be presented in a poster session at JSM 2006 and the best entries will receive cash prizes totalling $1700 plus NASA merchandise. Student and group entries are encouraged. It would be good to see some R-based entries! For more information, please see the Data Expo web site http://www.amstat-online.org/sections/graphics/dataexpo/2006.php Paul Murrell (on behalf of the Data Expo organising team) -- Dr Paul Murrell Department of Statistics The University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand 64 9 3737599 x85392 paul at stat.auckland.ac.nz http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~paul/