What: instructions to work in WinBUGS using cluster software remotely
For who: everyone, Mac and Windows users.
Why: for Mac users: this is a (free!) alternative to parallel. For Windows users (and Mac, too): if you run long MCMC, this method does not use the resources of your laptop and you can keep working while running MCMC remotely.

1) Install VMware: visit  http://www.cmu.edu/computing/clusters/software/virtualandrew/index.html  and follow the instructions. Connect to Virtual Andrew.
2) Install WinBUGS on Virtual Andrew: visit  http://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/bugs/winbugs/contents.shtml  and follow the instructions in the Quick Start section. There are 3 steps: 
	a) Since you are installing WinBUGS on a 64-bit machine, you should download a zipped version of the whole file structure and unzip it wherever you want it. Here I assume you unzip the folder into your "Andrew Desktop", i.e. at the end the file "WINBUGS14.exe" should be in "W:/Desktop/WinBUGS14".
	b) Download and install the patch.
	c) Get the free key for unrestricted use
3) Install "rube" in R.
	a) Download the package in Windows zip format from http://www.stat.cmu.edu/~hseltman/rube/
	b) Since you cannot install packages in the main library of R (you do not have admin power), you need to create your own folder. You can create it where you want, but here I assume it will be into you Andrew Desktop. Call it MyRlibrary. (Directory: W:/Desktop/MyRlibrary)
	c) Open R (64-bit)
	d) Tell R to use you library, with this command:   .libPaths(c("W:/Desktop/MyRlibrary"))  
	e) Install rube from the zip file downloaded at step (a):  Packages => Install package(s) from local zip files.. (If necessary install the required packages R2winBUGS, coda, lattice, stringr from CRAN)
4) Use rube! Every time you open R you should specify your library and load rube:
	
	.libPaths(c("W:/Desktop/MyRlibrary"))  
	library(rube)
	
	When you call the function rube you should also specify the position of WINBUGS.exe. If you followed the steps above you should write
	rube (... , bugs.directory="W:/Desktop/WinBUGS14")


Warnings: 
Virtual Andrew will disconnect machines that have been idle for a period of time.  If you step away from your computer and are disconnected when you return, you can re-establish your connection and continue working. You must reconnect within 15 minutes or you will lose your desktop.
Or.. you can install a simple program that simulates human activity on your machine. For Mac try the app "Caffeine", for Windows "Mouse Jiggler".