A framework for statistical software development, maintenance, and publishing within an open-access business model

There are several fundamental problems with statistical software development in the academic community. In addition, the development and dissemination of academic software will become increasingly difficult due to a variety of reasons. To solve these problems, a new framework for statistical software development, maintenance, and publishing is proposed: it is based on the paradigm that academic and commercial software should be both cost-effectively created, maintained and published with Marketing Principles in mind. The framework has been seamlessly integrated into a highly successful website (www.wessa.net) that operates as a provider of free web-based statistical software. Finally it is explained how the R framework provides a platform for the development of a true compendium publishing system.