I agree with David's advice.
In addition, there are FAQs on the StataCorp and UCLA websites, and
several relevant articles in the Stata Journal. For example, look at
http://ideas.repec.org/s/tsj/stataj.html
SJ papers up to SJ 5(1) 2008 are in the public domain as .pdf.
David Airey
When the new graphics were introduced, I read the graphics manual
front to back. Then Mitchell's text came out, and that helped a lot
(what has happened to the second edition?). Yet, all the same,
whenever I find myself in the online help, I am reminded at the
complexity of Stata graphics. Most of the time, my guesses at the
option needed is correct, which says that the job done by the graphics
programmers was well done. Brilliant, really. With the graphics
editor, these days I generate a near miss plot, and modify it to
completion in the editor. Sometimes, I resist this so I keep my
understanding of the Stata graphic commands fresh. A little weird, I
admit.
On Apr 3, 2008, at 6:14 PM, b. water wrote:
> stata 8.2, windows xp,
> on a separate note, i wonder whether frequent (or perhaps fluent or
> tutors of) stata graphic's users has any tips to share on how to
> they learnt/mastered stata graphical functions. i use [G] & michael
> mitchell's A Visual Guide to Stata Graphics to help me built the
> desired graphs. yet in spite of these, still found myself seeking
> advice/help.
>
> i notice in this group is how relatively little graphs queries was
> asked. one possible obvious explanation would be that the graph
> functions are used a lot less than the statistical functions.
> another possible explanation is that the graph functions are that
> 'easy' queries to the list are few (this could also explain why
> there is no stata corps' netcourse for stata graphics), which made
> me wonder whether i am not approaching it right in getting au-fait
> with stata graphs functions. hence would appreciate tips on how one
> learns & perhaps masters stata graph functions.
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
