Sharon Machlis
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smachlis.bsky.social
Sharon Machlis
@smachlis.bsky.social
2.6K followers 300 following 1.3K posts
Author of Practical R for Mass Communication & Journalism
❤️ #RStats, writing & cities designed for walking/biking
Having fun with #GenAI
(Mostly) retired; former tech journalist
Also #VibrantAging #Running #Photography #Crochet #ASL
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smachlis.bsky.social
Sharon Machlis @smachlis.bsky.social · Nov 11
Interested in using your data skills for public service locally? My 5-minute #PositConf2025 lightning talk aims to give you some ideas for inspiration! Now on YouTube:
youtu.be/fSAoCcZD--Y?...
Use Your Data Skills for Good (Sharon Machlis) | posit::conf(2025)
YouTube video by Posit PBC
youtu.be
smachlis.bsky.social
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Jan 9, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot.
Coded with the {bskyr} and {ggplot2} R packages.

[Posted via R script and weekly cron job. Tx for your patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats
Bar chart of daily #RStats posts. Amounts range from around 25 in September 2024 to peaking over 100 some days. Latest totals were 36 yesterday and 50 the day before.
January 10, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
grrrck.xyz
One small tweak I make personally: you can limit which groups of tools are enabled to reduce tokens used for tool definitions and avoid conflicts with Claude's built-in tools. I use

btw::btw_mcp_server(tools = list('docs', 'pkg'))

for reading help pages and pkg dev tools...
January 7, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
conradhackett.bsky.social
Please share - @pewresearch.org wants to hire a data archivist who will be an advocate for data users, helping to ensure that our datasets are easy to discover and reuse by researchers, journalists, and the public.
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CenterExtern...
Pew Research Center is seeking a Data Archivist to support our commitment to open science and data transparency. This newly created role will play a key part in enhancing the accessibility, usability, and reproducibility of our research data while continuing to protect the privacy and identity of our survey participants. As Data Archivist, you will lead efforts to create and implement best practices for preparing, documenting, and disseminating datasets. These best practices should maximize FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles while minimizing disclosure risk. You will work across teams to ensure our data is well-organized and thoroughly documented. You will serve as an internal advocate for data users, helping to ensure that our datasets are not only accurate and comprehensive but also easy to discover and reuse by researchers, journalists, and the public. This is a full-time, Pew Research Center position. The position is funded by an external grant and limited to a two-year term. Primary Responsibilities Develop optimization procedures to improve discoverability of our datasets on internal and external platforms Develop and maintain standards to improve accessibility of our microdata and tab plans by changing/adding formats and/or adding documentation Identify metadata documentation best practices and a process to implement those best practices at the Center Work with Legal to evaluate most appropriate license to publicly share the Center's survey data, including Creative Common options Identify and correct processing inefficiencies in our data publication process Sit on the internal Disclosure Risk Taskforce Document analytical decisions and code to support transparency and replicability, including the development of a RACI chart for publishing code to recreate derived variables that are used in reports but are not included in the microdata Manage/create merged time series datasets for select Center datasets Identify a process for internally archiving data and projects that are no longer in active use Identify and implement a process to assign Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) to microdata Prepare and upload public-facing datasets and restricted-use datasets for external sharing. Train staff on FAIR principles and best practices in data archiving. Education/Training/Experience Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in library sciences, organizational management, or a related field. 5-7 years of experience with data archiving, database management, or survey research. This may include graduate training at the MA/PhD level or equivalent experience in an applied setting. At least 3-5 years of experience applying FAIR and open science principles. Background in social science research or data curation. Experience in data management, archiving, or research support. Familiarity with FAIR principles, Creative Common licensing, data privacy principles, and exposure risk. Proficiency in metadata standards and documentation tools. Experience managing research projects, including working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Stata) and reproducible research workflows. Knowledge, Skill and Workplace Requirements Strong organizational and communication skills. Detail oriented with exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products. Ability to work independently to carry out special projects from start to finish. Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously. Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with other team members, as well as with staff from other Pew Research Center teams. Ability to balance competing priorities and identify optimal solutions FLSA Status: Exempt Compensation: Starting salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $100,000 - $120,000. Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.
January 6, 2026 at 6:27 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Soooo if you use #RStats and Claude Code:
R console: install.packages("btw")
Terminal: claude mcp add -s "user" r-btw -- Rscript -e "btw::btw_mcp_server()"
And now Claude Code can answer questions about ANY R package installed on your system.
January 7, 2026 at 3:00 AM
smachlis.bsky.social
There is no interpretation of the U.S. Constitution that allows a president to unilaterally decide to invade a country and arrest its leader in order to “repay” oil companies for assets that were nationalized decades ago.
January 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Maybe the #NYGiants finally found a place kicker since Gano doesn’t seem to be able to play a full season?
#Giants #NYG

[Data followers who don’t want to see my football rants - I use the #NFL hashtag so you can easily filter them out!]
mnethercott.bsky.social Matthew Nethercott @mnethercott.bsky.social · 5d
Sauls is 8/8 this season. 4 Field Goals today. 10-point game.

#Giants: 27
#Cowboys: 17
January 4, 2026 at 8:46 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
The ebb and flow of a calendar year feel different when you're no longer working. But they're definitely still there.
nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2026-0... #NextChapter #Retirement
The Rhythms of a Year – My Next Chapter: A Retirement Journey
The ebb and flow of a calendar year feel different when you’re no longer working. But they’re definitely still there.
nextchapter.machlis.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
smachlis.bsky.social
I agree 💯 about the moment we're in. It's exciting & fun to be able to implement ideas more quickly, to not be held back by coding syntax. But there was also satisfaction in learning code, and solving syntax challenges. Even I miss that some. What if that's your joy and your skill in the field? 3/4
January 4, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
evacide.bsky.social
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.

consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
January 2, 2026 at 2:26 AM
smachlis.bsky.social
"Congress shall have power ...To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high seas ... To declare War and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water"
www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription
Note: The following text is a transcription of the Constitution as it was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum). The spelling...
www.archives.gov
January 4, 2026 at 3:16 AM
smachlis.bsky.social
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Jan 2, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot.
Coded with the {bskyr} and {ggplot2} R packages.

[Posted via R script and weekly cron job. Tx for your patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats
Bar chart of daily #RStats posts. Amounts range from around 25 in September 2024 to peaking over 100 some days. Latest totals were 56 yesterday and 17 the day before.
January 3, 2026 at 2:06 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
One of the many reasons it's so awesome to have a rail trail in the neighborhood: New Year's Eve!
#RailTrails #nye26
People around a booth on the trail with bubbles in the background Close up of a fire pit
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
👀👀⬇️⬇️ #RStats version coming 🎉🎉 #RSpatial
kylewalker.bsky.social Kyle Walker @kylewalker.bsky.social · 11d
Yes it does…
December 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
The {servr} #RStats 📦 's httd() function spins up a local Web server if you need to test an HTML file that requires a Web server to run.
For example servr::httd("docs") automatically launches a browser that displays an index.html file in your docs directory.
pkg.yihui.org/servr/
By @yihui.org
servr: A Simple HTTP Server to Serve Static Files or Dynamic Documents
pkg.yihui.org
December 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Sadly, GitHub doesn't have official #RStats Actions. But there are well-maintained GtiHub Actions for the R community here github.com/r-lib/actions and Actions you can use with r2u here github.com/eddelbuettel... #GitHub
December 29, 2025 at 1:38 AM
smachlis.bsky.social
1-4 🎉🎉😂😂
#NFL #NYGiants
mnethercott.bsky.social Matthew Nethercott @mnethercott.bsky.social · 12d
Something to watch:

The #Giants are 0-4 this season on the road when leading by multiple scores.

#NYGatLVR
December 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Stat that sums up the entire #NYGiants 2025 #NFL season ⬇️⬇️⬇️
mnethercott.bsky.social Matthew Nethercott @mnethercott.bsky.social · 12d
Something to watch:

The #Giants are 0-4 this season on the road when leading by multiple scores.

#NYGatLVR
December 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Simple rule: If you wouldn’t want a surgeon doing it while operating on your brain, don’t do it while driving.
wired.com WIRED @wired.com · 13d
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Rejoice! Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its…
wrd.cm
December 28, 2025 at 10:24 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to this #RStats 📦
⬇️⬇️⬇️
coatless.bsky.social James Balamuta @coatless.bsky.social · 13d
{livelink} walked so {webrarian} could run. Mini browser-based #rstats environments powered by #webR and its 4-panel editor. YAML config, build, preview. Done.

R package coming soon. #pyodide folks, stay tuned.
December 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
What am I doing with my extra OpenAI Codex minutes tonight? Writing my own #RStats code, but making Codex write all my git commands 🤣 (and update a GitHub Action)
December 28, 2025 at 1:50 AM
smachlis.bsky.social
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Dec 26, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot.
Coded with the {bskyr} and {ggplot2} R packages.

[Posted via R script and weekly cron job. Tx for your patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats
Bar chart of daily #RStats posts. Amounts range from around 25 in September 2024 to peaking over 100 some days. Latest totals were 17 yesterday and 15 the day before.
December 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Turn Claude into an expert on writing {testthat} #Rstats 📦 version 3 R tests with the Claude Testing R Packages skill by @posit.co
github.com/posit-dev/sk...
That repo has other skills including how to use brand.yml with Quarto and Shiny
github.com/posit-dev/sk...
#GenAI
skills/r-lib/testing-r-packages at main · posit-dev/skills
A collection of Claude Skills from Posit. Contribute to posit-dev/skills development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
I ❤️ the new AI assist for photo editing in Luminar Neo. Why? Ask the AI what tools to use to achieve a desired improvement or look and it gives suggestions. Or, ask AI to do that edit and it gives you 3 options explaining what it chose for each, you can pick one, and then tweak the results. 1/2
AI Assistance in Luminar Neo - Smarter and Faster Image Editing
Speed up photo editing with AI assistance tool in Luminar Neo using text commands. An AI assistant that guides your editing, sparks creativity, and helps you explore possibilities.
skylum.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
smachlis.bsky.social
Here's how @yan-holtz.bsky.social improves a line chart step by step. So useful to see how a design professional makes a default #dataviz so much more compelling! Plus you can turn each change on and off in his interactive article:
www.react-graph-gallery.com/example/line...
Line chart revamp.
Learn how to make charts look professional with simple design improvements. Toggle common visualization mistakes, see their impact instantly, and master clearer, more effective data storytelling.
www.react-graph-gallery.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:03 AM
smachlis.bsky.social
Some thoughts on what can help make a (reasonably) happy retirement, a year and a half into this new stage of my life.

nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2025-1... #Retirement #NextChapter
What Makes a (Reasonably) Happy Retirement? – My Next Chapter: A Retirement Journey
A couple of thoughts almost a year and a half in
nextchapter.machlis.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM