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I'm trying to figure out how to configure R's proxy settings so I can download and install some packages. I know that stuff specific to R has been in the gray area for on-topic-ness in the past (and maybe it still is), so I want to know if this kind of question is on-topic enough for Cross Validated, or if I should instead take my chances asking it on Super User. Thanks!

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Disclaimer: I'm one of those people who thinks that all R-focused questions should go to StackOverflow. That is not the policy we decided on.

I think this would be most appropriate at StackOverflow. It's not purely a programming question, but I can't imagine a question about CPAN (for example) getting turned away there. There's tons of overlap between the StackOverflow R community and CV's, but I think the former is much more focused on R as software.

Better to ask it here than at SuperUser, though. SO > CV > SU.

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  • $\begingroup$ Until I read your answer, I would've guessed that if R had any following on Stack Overflow, it was a very small one. Thanks for sharing that helpful knowledge! $\endgroup$
    – Firefeather
    Jan 28, 2011 at 18:28
  • $\begingroup$ Speaking of Stack Overflow, I find your opinion—that my question would be most appropriate on SO—interesting. Considering my question is more about R as software than as a programming language, I'd think that it would belong more on Super User than Stack Overflow. So are you saying that, although it's not really on-topic at SO, its R community would ignore the off-topic-ness? Or are you saying that, of SO, CV, and SU, the question would be most on-topic at SO? $\endgroup$
    – Firefeather
    Jan 28, 2011 at 18:32
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    $\begingroup$ It's a balancing act between topicfulness and quality of responses. It may indeed be most "on-topic" on SU, but who there is going to know anything about R? Conversely, I think you'd get equally good responses here or on SO (likely from the same people), but I think this question is far more on-topic there than here. In absolute terms, I think it is also sufficiently on-topic for SO. Speaking as someone who's been watching the R tag since its inception, nobody's going to bat an eye over your question. $\endgroup$
    – Matt Parker
    Jan 28, 2011 at 18:46
  • $\begingroup$ Okay, I've asked on Stack Overflow (link). Thanks! $\endgroup$
    – Firefeather
    Jan 28, 2011 at 21:12
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    $\begingroup$ @Matt-parker I remember the many discussions we've had on CV about R questions ;) But I think that CV currently has the right balance of how it deals with R question. I agree that this question would be better in SO. $\endgroup$
    – csgillespie
    Jan 28, 2011 at 22:07

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