Here’s a recent article published in the New York Times about R, the freely available statistical package:
“Data Analysts Captivated by R’s Power”
By ASHLEE VANCE
Published: January 7, 2009
A programming language’s versatility and its price (free) makes it a favorite of data analysts. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/technology/business-computing/07program.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink