I will make a confession. This past summer, I didn’t spend my spare time watching relentlessly addicting TV shows nor clubbing in San Francisco. Instead, I checked out figures. No, not the sort of figures you’re probably thinking about. The ones that are included in research papers and have the potential to be beautiful works of art (such as the ones found on the Figured Foundation). And you guessed it, R can be used to generate awesome figures for your last minute put together presentation or end-of-term paper.

Some examples of R graphs found on the R website.

So what the heck is R?

R is a free “environment” that can be used to run statistical analysis and create amazing graphics (a more comprehensive list of R’s superpowers can be found here). It can be installed on Unix, Windows and Apple operating systems. It is considered an “environment” because there tons of add-ons that you can load or write to expand the capabilities of R. In essence, R is a free sports car that you can add rocket power and flying capabilities while still looking cool.

If this is your first time using a form of code, don’t be afraid. Once you get over the hump that R (or any code in general) is relentless about spelling, the process of entering code is no different from choosing the different components of a sundae (do we want strawberries or blueberries as the fruit topping?). And once you get a little more involved, you can start improvising your own crazy creations via the writing of your own functions. This past summer I met a guy that used R to scourge the Travelocity, Priceline, and other airplane ticket finding websites to search for his ideal plane tickets.

So how do I install this?

My apologies ahead of time, but this will be a Windows-centric tutorial. If you would like step by step instructions with screenshots, click here.

1. Go to the R website and click “Download R” under “Getting Started”
2. Choose a place to download R. Even though we’re on the limitless and borderless interweb, choosing a location close to you helps speeds things up.
3. Choose which R package to download based on your operating system in the first box. If you are Unix or Mac user, I apologize buut this is where we now go our separate ways.
4.  Click on “install R for the first time” then download the file with the biggest font on the top. Then open that puppy up.
5. Windows might be paranoid and say the publisher could not be verified. Click “run”. Then choose your language.
6. Click “next” to start the installation, agree to all their legal writings, and selection an installation window.
7. Select “Core Files” and then either 32-bit or 64-bit files depending on your computer system. (To check, hit Start, right click Computer and select Properties. Look at System Type).
8. Now you have a choice for Startup Options. I prefer to view the program in multiple separate windows so that I can arrange them on my screen while also have an internet browser or a notepad type program open as well.
   If you like what you see in the photo above, click “Yes (customized setup)”. If you prefer to have one window with all the components of the program viewed inside that window click “No (accept defaults)” and skip to Step 11.
9. If you said yes to Step 8, click ”SDI (separate windows)”. Next, you can specify plain text or HTML help. I would suggest HTML help because it is easier to view than plain text, which appears in the window.
10. If you are at an institution that utilizes Internet2.dll, select “Internet 2.” If not or if you are unsure, select “Standard”.
11. Go ahead and create a program shortcut by clicking “Next“.
12. Choose if you want to have another icon clutter your desktop and/or Quick Launch toolbar. I suggest leaving the two options under “Registry Entries” selected.
13. Let it do its thing. Go on Facebook, write a Tweet or run to the bathroom really quick.
14. Things should be all done! Go update your status or Tweet how excited you are to have installed R.