Basic Cautions
Caution #1:
I tried to install Jupyterlab on my Macbook and my desktop Windows machine by a variety of methods. For me, I ended up in some dark places wondering if I had messed up the core applications on both machines. I had to back out very slowly and restore my systems to their original state. I then went back and tried the Anaconda approach. Not trivial particularly on the Mac but much easier than what I had been trying to do. You are welcome to try a different approach to installing Python and Jupyter notebooks but Anaconda does it all in a coherent package along with some other packages that you might need.
Caution #2:
I am prone to think of you all, as digital natives, as much more competent with installing complex applications on your computers than I am. Experience, however, suggests that this is not so much the case. We all have our strengths and weaknesses in this departent. Installing a complex package like Anaconda is not at all like downloading an app on your phone. There are choices that you need to make about where and how to install it that make a difference. If you are unsure of what is happening with your installation at any point stop the process and get a hold of a friend with more extensive geek skills. I can't assure you that if you show up and ask me what to do that I will know. There seem to be a remarkable number of variations in how the experience can go and I am definitely no expert.
Plan B:
You are NOT up a creek if you don't get this done right away since we are have Anaconda installed on the laptops in the physics lab. NOTE: This is not really an option during COVID so, in fact, you are up a creek if you don't get Anaconda installed pretty quickly on your personal computer. Using the lab computers is fairly inconvenient but it will be a workable solution in the short term. Consider exploring the Google Colaboratory option below if this is your situation. You will find it more convenient if you have the software available on your own machine.
Let me know if there are comments I should add here to clarify what is given on the Installation page.
Many of you have Google Drive accounts. This opens another option for you. The Colaboratory project at Google allows you to build Jupyter style notebooks in the Colab environment. You would essentially be running your notebook on their server over the web. I think this will work fine although the learning curve may be different in some ways. If you have challenges with access to a computer on which you can install Anaconda/Jupyter then this may be a good option.
Other ways to run Jupyter Notebooks:
I haven't chased down these sugggestions yet but I wanted to make sure I have it linked as a resource for the class.
