Raynald Levesque: I used FORTRAN, APL and COBOL at the university—I learned APL and COBOL by myself. I bought my first home computer about 20 years ago. It was a Commodore 64. I have been buying computers every two or three years ever since. I see the computer as an extension of my brain. The computer helps me think and find solutions and answers.

King Douglas: Explain your interest in SPSS.

Raynald Levesque: My interest result from the fact that we live in a world of data. Most companies are data rich but information poor. SPSS allows me to extract actionable information from data.

King Douglas: How did you learn SPSS?

Raynald Levesque: I taught SPSS to myself. Nobody else knew the software at my place of work. As a general rule, I love computers and software. When I learn software, I like to know it inside out.

King Douglas: About how long have been using SPSS?

Raynald Levesque: I started to use it in 1992.

King Douglas: What other statistics or data management applications do you use?

Raynald Levesque: MS Access and Excel

King Douglas: What SPSS modules to you use on a regular basis?

Raynald Levesque: Basic and Tables

King Douglas: Do you consider yourself a specialist in any area of SPSS programming?

Raynald Levesque: I consider myself a specialist in syntax and macros. I am fairly good with scripting.

King Douglas: Do you write or employ SPSS macros in your work?

Raynald Levesque: Yes, all the time.

King Douglas: Do you write or employ SPSS scripts in your work?

Raynald Levesque: Yes, all the time

King Douglas: What is your comfort level with statistics?

Raynald Levesque: I have a M.Sc. in statistics but I don’t use statistics very much in my work.

King Douglas: What are your thoughts about "Instant Statisticians," as made possible by desktop statistical packages?

Raynald Levesque: It is a problem but SPSS can’t be blamed for it. It would be irrational to make the program difficult to use, just to avoid having “Instant Statisticians”.