added setup guide

Author: adevroy569

learners/setup.md

@@ -1,54 +1,101 @@
 ---
-title: Setup
+title: "Setup"
 ---
 
-FIXME: Setup instructions live in this document. Please specify the tools and
-the data sets the Learner needs to have installed.
+## Overview
 
-## Data Sets
+To participate in the **Data Visualization** module, you will need:
 
-<!--
-FIXME: place any data you want learners to use in `episodes/data` and then use
-       a relative link ( [data zip file](data/lesson-data.zip) ) to provide a
-       link to it, replacing the example.com link.
--->
-Download the [data zip file](https://example.com/FIXME) and unzip it to your Desktop
+- **Python 3.10 or newer** (3.11–3.12 recommended in local setups)
+- The following Python packages:
+  - pandas (data handling)
+  - matplotlib (core plotting)
+  - seaborn (statistical visualizations)
+  - (optional but recommended) jupyterlab or notebook (interactive work)
+  - (optional) plotly (interactive charts in later episodes)
+- A code editor or notebook interface
+- Sample datasets (provided as a zip file)
 
-## Software Setup
+We offer **two main setup paths**:
 
-::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: discussion
+1. **Google Colab** (recommended for beginners / no installation needed)
+2. **Local installation** with `Anaconda Navigator` (great for offline work and full control)
 
-### Details
+## Option 1: Google Colab (Zero Installation – Recommended for Most Learners)
 
-Setup for different systems can be presented in dropdown menus via a `spoiler`
-tag. They will join to this discussion block, so you can give a general overview
-of the software used in this lesson here and fill out the individual operating
-systems (and potentially add more, e.g. online setup) in the solutions blocks.
+Google Colab is a free, cloud-based Jupyter notebook environment hosted by Google. It runs entirely in your browser, requires only a Google account, and comes with pandas, matplotlib, seaborn, and many other data science libraries **pre-installed**.
 
-:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
+### Steps
 
-:::::::::::::::: spoiler
+1. Go to → https://colab.research.google.com
+2. Sign in with your Google account (or create one if needed).
+3. Click **New notebook** (or File → New notebook).
+4. (Optional) Rename it: File → Rename (e.g., "Data Viz Workshop – Aniket").
+5. Test the libraries right away by running this in the first cell (Shift+Enter to execute):
 
-### Windows
+   ```python
+   import pandas as pd
+   import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+   import seaborn as sns
+   import plotly.express as px   # optional – usually pre-installed too
 
-Use PuTTY
+   print("pandas version:", pd.__version__)
+   print("matplotlib version:", plt.matplotlib.__version__)
+   print("seaborn version:", sns.__version__)
+   print("plotly version:", px.__version__ if 'px' in globals() else "not imported")
 
-::::::::::::::::::::::::
+   # Quick test plot (should show inline)
+   tips = sns.load_dataset("tips")  # built-in Seaborn dataset
+   sns.histplot(data=tips, x="total_bill", hue="time")
+   plt.title("Test: Restaurant Tips Distribution")
+   plt.show()
+   ```
+6. Installing extra packages (rarely needed, but if something is missing or outdated):Python
 
-:::::::::::::::: spoiler
+```python
+!pip install --upgrade seaborn plotly
+```
 
-### MacOS
+(The `!` runs shell commands in Colab/Jupyter Notebook.)
 
-Use Terminal.app
+## Advantages of Colab for this workshop
 
-::::::::::::::::::::::::
+- No software installation
+- Free GPU/TPU if needed later
+- Easy sharing (File → Share)
+- Autosaves to Google Drive
+- Perfect for following along with instructor demos
 
+**Tip**: Upload your own data files via the left sidebar (Files tab → Upload) or mount Google Drive:
+Python
 
-:::::::::::::::: spoiler
+```python
+from google.colab import drive
+drive.mount('/content/drive')
+# Then read files like pd.read_csv('/content/drive/MyDrive/penguins.csv')
+```
 
-### Linux
+## Option 2: Local Installation (Anaconda Navigator – For Offline / Advanced Use)
 
-Use Terminal
+Use this if you prefer working without internet or need a persistent environment.
 
-::::::::::::::::::::::::
+1. Download and install Anaconda Navigator:
+
+- https://www.anaconda.com/products/navigator
+- Choose your OS installer (Python 3.x version) → follow defaults
+
+2. You should find multiple apps after installation. 
+
+- Launch `Jupyter Notebook`
+- If you do not find a package simply add `!pip` followed by the name of the package in code cell to install it locally.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+- **Colab:** Plots not showing? Add %matplotlib inline at the top (usually automatic).
+- **Local:** package not found: Open terminal or code cell in jupyter notebook and `!pip` install package.
+- **Need help?** Raise hand during workshop or check Carpentries Python setup guide.
+
+You're all set! Proceed to Introduction to Data Visualization or Creating Your First Plots.
+
+Happy visualizing!