[R] R on Linux - a primer

[Mark Knecht]

On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 3:04 PM, Axel Urbiz <axel.urbiz at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking to move from Windows into a 64-bit Linux environment. Which is
> the best Linux Flavor to use within R? To install R on this environment, do
> I need to do any compiling?
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Axel.
>

Do NOT pick your Linux environment based on the ease of running R.
Pick one that you feel you can administer comfortably. Once you're far
enough along for that to run then R will likely be pretty easy on any
of them.

I run Gentoo. It's probably not the right distro for most Linux
newbies although most of us that run it will gladly tell you why.
Installing R from source was one command

emerge R

A better environment for a Linux-newbie would likely be Ubuntu or
possibly Arch. Both are very capable with Ubuntu being the one with
lots of users and forums for you to ask your questions.

Hope that helps,
Mark