I just wanted to leave a note to thank Sequence Analysis Association (SAA) members and praise them for their open and constructive approach. I presented some exploratory analysis, and an issue I was having, earlier this year. My colleagues and I just wanted to say how refreshing it was for a group of senior researchers and experts in the field to be so forthcoming with advice and assistance. I am not sure if sociologists are more progressive than economists (my profession) or if it is something particular to the SAA. But this is how academia should be. I was really impressed with how patient and constructive the senior members of the group were with me and the other presenter (another relatively junior analyst presenting a different issue). Thanks in particular for Tim for giving me the opportunity to present but also Brendan Halpin, Matthias Studer and Gilbert Ritschard for helpful feedback.
Oliver