Software Installations:

Prior to your first workshop session, please follow the instructions below to install necessary software and to set up your physical space.

You must install both R and RStudio: each are separate downloads and installations. R is the underlying statistical computing environment, but using R alone is no fun. RStudio is a graphical integrated development environment that makes using R much easier. You need R installed before you install RStudio.

1. R: We recommend the most recent version of R, 4.3.1. Download and install it for Windows or Mac. If you have a previous R installation, please check the version by opening R and typing R.version. If you have an older Mac OS, download the latest pkg file for your appropriate version of Mac OS.

2. RStudio: Download and install RStudio Desktop version 2023.03.0-386

3. tidyverse package: Lastly, we will need to install several core packages needed for most lessons.

a) Launch RStudio (RStudio, not R itself). Ensure that you have internet access, then copy and paste the code for the following 2 commands, one-at-a-time, into the Console panel (the lower-left panel, by default).

First, copy and paste this code:  install.packages("tidyverse") 
Run this code by using ctrl+Enter key on Windows or Cmd+Enter key on Mac.

A few notes:

• Commands are case-sensitive.

• You must be connected to the internet.

• Even if you’ve installed these packages in the past, re-install the package to download the most recent version. Many of these packages are updated often, and we may use new features in the workshop that aren’t available in older versions.

• If you’re using Windows you might see errors about not having permission to modify the existing libraries – disregard these. You can avoid this by running RStudio as an administrator (right click the RStudio icon, then click “Run as Administrator”).

b) Check that you’ve installed everything correctly by closing and reopening RStudio.

c) Now, copy and paste this code in the console window and run: library(tidyverse)

Don’t worry about any messages that look something like the following objects are masked from ..., or Warning message: package ... was build under R version ...Running the library(tidyverse) code may produce some notes or other output, but as long as you don’t get an error message, you’re good to go.

If you see output like this:

everything installed properly and is working. You are all set!

d) If you get a message that says something like: Error in library(somePackageName) : there is no package called 'somePackageName', then the required packages did not install correctly. Please do not hesitate to email the instructors prior to class if you are still having difficulty. In your email, please copy and paste what you typed in the console, and all of the output that streams by in the console.

Physical Space:

Because of these workshops’ online format, here are the best options for following along during class sessions. Most of the workshop consists of live coding, so the challenge will be how to simultaneously view the instructor’s screen and your screen given that the RStudio window is large and landscape format.

1. Best option: Dual monitors side-by-side
2. Second choice:
   • Computer projected onto tv or large monitor (side-by-side windows of Zoom and your R Studio) or
   • Two computers side-by-side or 
   • One computer (you) and one tv (instructor)
3. Third choice: One computer (you) and one tablet (instructor)
4. When all else fails: One computer (you & instructor) and PDF of printed codes

Please do not hesitate to Ask Us prior to class if you have questions about how best to set up your workspace.