Suggested update: compatible devices

[alesiahallmark]

I have used the "Data Analysis and Visualization in R for Ecologists" lesson for several courses. Increasingly, students are bringing Google Chromebooks, which run on Google OS, to class. This has happened in every one of my classes in the last two years. These laptops are great for students as they are cheap and run a lot of apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs that the students need in college courses. However, they are (currently) terrible for R. Because these laptops are becoming so common, I think there should be a set of instructions for how to set up RStudio in the "Install R and RStudio" section OR a statement saying "These lessons are not compatible with Google OS" should be added AND instructors should be aware of issues with this OS before teaching this lesson.

[Teebusch]

Hi @alesiahallmark,

Thank you! I understand the issue and agree that we should address it somehow.

I think, in principle, the lessons are compatible with ChomeOS:

• My current workplace provides a remote desktop with RStudio that can be accessed from any browser.
• It is also possible to run RStudio on a Chromebook using RStudio Cloud. The free tier allows 25hrs per month (which may be enough for a short course based on this lesson). Some institutions may have subscriptions.
• It appears that it's possible to install R and RStudio on a Chromebook by enabling Linux apps. I have no Chromebook to try this on, and I'm not sure what the performance would be like.

Some places where I have taught / learned courses like this have provided computers to the students who didn't have their own -- although it seems like this is becoming less common.

I would prefer to be inclusive to Chromebook users and try to provide solutions for them. Which options are available depends on the institution where they are taking the course, so I think this problem is best solved locally with the help of the institution.

I would suggest to add a general hint that not all Chromebooks are compatible with software required for this course and ask to get in touch with the instructors beforehand if a Chromebook is all they have. Perhaps, list some of the options above in the instructor notes as possible solutions to this problem?