Sharon Machlis
@smachlis.bsky.social
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
❤️ #RStats, writing & cities designed for walking/biking
Having fun with #GenAI
(Mostly) retired; former tech journalist
Also #VibrantAging #Running #Photography #Crochet #ASL
Pinned
Sharon Machlis
@smachlis.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Use Your Data Skills for Good (Sharon Machlis) | posit::conf(2025)
YouTube video by Posit PBC
youtu.be
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?...
youtu.be/fSAoCcZD--Y?...
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
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
January 3, 2026 at 2:06 PM
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
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
One of the many reasons it's so awesome to have a rail trail in the neighborhood: New Year's Eve!
#RailTrails #nye26
#RailTrails #nye26
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
One of the many reasons it's so awesome to have a rail trail in the neighborhood: New Year's Eve!
#RailTrails #nye26
#RailTrails #nye26
Yes it does…
December 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM
December 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Simple rule: If you wouldn’t want a surgeon doing it while operating on your brain, don’t do it while driving.
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
Simple rule: If you wouldn’t want a surgeon doing it while operating on your brain, don’t do it while driving.
I'm looking forward to this #RStats 📦
⬇️⬇️⬇️
⬇️⬇️⬇️
December 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
I'm looking forward to this #RStats 📦
⬇️⬇️⬇️
⬇️⬇️⬇️
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
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)
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
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
December 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
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
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...
www.react-graph-gallery.com/example/line...
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
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
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
nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2025-1... #Retirement #NextChapter
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Dec 19, 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
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
December 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Dec 19, 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
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
Does anyone have an email client they like? I'm using Thunderbird, but I find the interface a bit dated, the rules somewhat clunky, and the constant return to a threaded view whenever I compact a folder somewhat maddening. I'm willing to pay for a good desktop app.
December 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Does anyone have an email client they like? I'm using Thunderbird, but I find the interface a bit dated, the rules somewhat clunky, and the constant return to a threaded view whenever I compact a folder somewhat maddening. I'm willing to pay for a good desktop app.
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
🚨 New #DataViz post!
I explore smart alternatives to a broken chart and highlight why avoiding bad practices matters.
👉 Which alternative do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
#rstats
dominicroye.github.io/blog/2025-12...
I explore smart alternatives to a broken chart and highlight why avoiding bad practices matters.
👉 Which alternative do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
#rstats
dominicroye.github.io/blog/2025-12...
Broken Chart: discover 9 visualization alternatives
Researcher in climate science at MBG-CSIC
dominicroye.github.io
December 15, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🚨 New #DataViz post!
I explore smart alternatives to a broken chart and highlight why avoiding bad practices matters.
👉 Which alternative do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
#rstats
dominicroye.github.io/blog/2025-12...
I explore smart alternatives to a broken chart and highlight why avoiding bad practices matters.
👉 Which alternative do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
#rstats
dominicroye.github.io/blog/2025-12...
Turn YAML into R and R into YAML with the new {yaml12} #RStats 📦
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/ind...
By @t-kalinowski.bsky.social
On the 📦 website: "YAML in 2 Minutes: A Gentle Introduction for R Users"
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/art...
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/ind...
By @t-kalinowski.bsky.social
On the 📦 website: "YAML in 2 Minutes: A Gentle Introduction for R Users"
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/art...
Fast YAML 1.2 Parser and Formatter
A fast, correct, safe, and ergonomic YAML 1.2 parser and generator written in Rust. Convert between YAML and simple R objects with full support for multi-document streams, tags, anchors, and aliases. ...
posit-dev.github.io
December 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Turn YAML into R and R into YAML with the new {yaml12} #RStats 📦
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/ind...
By @t-kalinowski.bsky.social
On the 📦 website: "YAML in 2 Minutes: A Gentle Introduction for R Users"
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/art...
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/ind...
By @t-kalinowski.bsky.social
On the 📦 website: "YAML in 2 Minutes: A Gentle Introduction for R Users"
posit-dev.github.io/r-yaml12/art...
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
I don’t use social media to argue about politics with strangers.
I use social media to talk to people about fish.
When I talk about fish on Bluesky, people ask me questions about fish.
When I talk about fish on Twitter, people threaten to murder my family because we’re Jewish.
I use social media to talk to people about fish.
When I talk about fish on Bluesky, people ask me questions about fish.
When I talk about fish on Twitter, people threaten to murder my family because we’re Jewish.
"Bluesky is an echo chamber."
"Bluesky doesn't have enough reach"
"Liberals must return to X to challenge the far right"
I'm not a tech bro or a journalist. Your priorities are not my priorities. Stop telling me I need to do anything other than chat about comics & telly with people who seem nice.
"Bluesky doesn't have enough reach"
"Liberals must return to X to challenge the far right"
I'm not a tech bro or a journalist. Your priorities are not my priorities. Stop telling me I need to do anything other than chat about comics & telly with people who seem nice.
December 15, 2025 at 11:44 AM
I don’t use social media to argue about politics with strangers.
I use social media to talk to people about fish.
When I talk about fish on Bluesky, people ask me questions about fish.
When I talk about fish on Twitter, people threaten to murder my family because we’re Jewish.
I use social media to talk to people about fish.
When I talk about fish on Bluesky, people ask me questions about fish.
When I talk about fish on Twitter, people threaten to murder my family because we’re Jewish.
Reposted by Sharon Machlis
You know, if you see a Jewish person being upset because of that awful antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach last night, you really don't have to explain to them why they're doing their sadness and anger at antisemitic massacres wrong. You can just keep that to yourself. It's allowed.
December 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM
You know, if you see a Jewish person being upset because of that awful antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach last night, you really don't have to explain to them why they're doing their sadness and anger at antisemitic massacres wrong. You can just keep that to yourself. It's allowed.
I'm feeling a different winter vibe in this 2nd year of retirement than I did last year! My latest #NextChapter installment:
nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2025-1... #Retirement
nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2025-1... #Retirement
Rethinking Winter in Retirement – My Next Chapter: A Retirement Journey
Maybe it’s not the season for ‘maximum productivity’
nextchapter.machlis.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I'm feeling a different winter vibe in this 2nd year of retirement than I did last year! My latest #NextChapter installment:
nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2025-1... #Retirement
nextchapter.machlis.com/posts/2025-1... #Retirement
My {actionsMonitoR} #RStats 📦 finds all existing GitHub Actions across all your repos - plus the most recent time each ran. Just added: a function that lets you kick off a GitHub action from your local system. #GitHub
GitHub - smach/actionsMonitoR: R package to see info about all the GitHub Actions in one GitHub account
R package to see info about all the GitHub Actions in one GitHub account - smach/actionsMonitoR
github.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Dec 12, 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
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
December 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Daily number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 1 - Dec 12, 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
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
I went to the Winslow Homer 'Of Light and Air' exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston today. It includes a lot of rarely displayed watercolors. Crowded, but worth the visit!
TIL: Homer's body of work was a lot more than seascapes and the Northeastern United States.
TIL: Homer's body of work was a lot more than seascapes and the Northeastern United States.
December 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I went to the Winslow Homer 'Of Light and Air' exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston today. It includes a lot of rarely displayed watercolors. Crowded, but worth the visit!
TIL: Homer's body of work was a lot more than seascapes and the Northeastern United States.
TIL: Homer's body of work was a lot more than seascapes and the Northeastern United States.