I, as an older person whose first language was FORTRAN IV, love the poem. Since discovering Perl in 1993 I have never stopped using it as my favorite scripting language, but I have taken a long time to find my way back here after a cursory glance many years ago (I think I saw it as kind of Dungeons and Dragons place--obviously didn't look around very much). The more I'm here the more the monastery allegory seems so fitting.

Thanks, u65, nice to hear the poem speaks to you. The monastery metaphor is certainly fitting, and very uplifting! The kindness and wisdom of the people around here is seldom seen in other forums. Those who have asked newbie questions in R mailing list know what I am talking about.