Problem Using Terminal App on Mac

I’m trying to use an older Mac Mini (2009), using OS X 10.11, to learn Python programming. In addition to installing Python (done without problems) it is necessary to install numerous add on modules. This requires using the Terminal.

The first step is to install Homebrew. Their website has a script to paste into Terminal that is supposed to do the installation. It is:

/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

However when I use it I get an “Illegal variable name” error message.

Another script from Github that is designed to add Homebrew plus some other things is also failing. It is:

bash <(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/monfresh/laptop/master/laptop)

It gives a “Missing name for redirect” error message.

I have a feeling something is amiss with my Mini or with the Terminal program as no one else seems to be having any issues. I’m not sure where to start to troubleshoot this problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Dan