Download and Install cygwin (Fast Instructions):

1. Go to http://www.cygwin.com.

2. Download the installer by clicking on the "Install Cygwin Now" icon.

3. This will download "setup.exe"; double click on setup.exe

4. Select the defaults for everything. The only choice that you should make is to pick a mirror; I used http://http.gtlib.gatech.edu.

Download and Install cygwin (Detailed Instructions):

1. Go to http://www.cygwin.com.

2. Download the installer by clicking on the "Install Cygwin Now" icon.

3. This will download "setup.exe"; double click on setup.exe

4. Select Run

5. Click Next

6. Click Next (to install from Internet)

7. Click Next (to install into c:\cygwin)

8. Click Next (to select the default package directory)

9. If you are at Carleton, click next (to use a Direct Connection)

10. Select any mirror that you like, I used http://http.gtlib.gatech.edu.

11. Select Next to select a default package list. (we are not adding anything to the default build.)

12. Click Finish

To test your installation:

1. On your Desktop, you should have a Cygwin icon; click on it.
2. You should have a bash prompt "$". Try a command such as "ls /" (no double quotes.) You should see a list of files and directories.
3. If you have installed Python for windows, try running "python"; you should see a python version and be at a python prompt ">>>"