Python offers modules such as scipy, numpy, and pandas for data analysis. And I am going to use these as alternative to R. To get started, I recommend installing the Python IDE, Spyder. If you haven't yet installed python in your computer, don't worry as this will automatically be installed as well. Open Ubuntu Software Center Search for Spyder Click Install Once successfully installed, open it and try running some arithmetic on the console. Or try the script window and press F5 to execute. Spyder in Ubuntu 12.10