Thomas W
@thomascwells.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas W
I'm considering writing a proposal for R Consortium ISC funding to write a free & open source book on LLMs/AI in R. Advice out there is scattered between different resources. Wondering if this is something the wider #rstats community would be interested in, & what folks would like to see in there?
September 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I'm considering writing a proposal for R Consortium ISC funding to write a free & open source book on LLMs/AI in R. Advice out there is scattered between different resources. Wondering if this is something the wider #rstats community would be interested in, & what folks would like to see in there?
Reposted by Thomas W
One of my favorite #PositConf things, from @hadley.nz : the Pac-Man inclusiveness "rule"
#PositConf2025
#PositConf2025
September 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
One of my favorite #PositConf things, from @hadley.nz : the Pac-Man inclusiveness "rule"
#PositConf2025
#PositConf2025
More people need to know this.
Anything to stop with emailing versions of .doc files around with track-changes enabled. Markdown + Git + a user-friendly Git UI for all the collaborating!
Anything to stop with emailing versions of .doc files around with track-changes enabled. Markdown + Git + a user-friendly Git UI for all the collaborating!
It's well-known that the rightly popular/ubiquitous version control software Git is good for tracking changes in computer code. But did you know that it's also an outstanding tool for tracking changes in natural language/prose?
Source: github.com/nptscot/netw...
Source: github.com/nptscot/netw...
July 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
More people need to know this.
Anything to stop with emailing versions of .doc files around with track-changes enabled. Markdown + Git + a user-friendly Git UI for all the collaborating!
Anything to stop with emailing versions of .doc files around with track-changes enabled. Markdown + Git + a user-friendly Git UI for all the collaborating!
test 3
test from Friendica
test from Friendica
July 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
test 3
test from Friendica
test from Friendica
Some familiar names on that list :-D
If you are looking for temp data help, look no further! This list contains data consultants who work across a variety of fields providing services such as data management, analysis, data architecture, visualization, machine learning, data training, and more! #databs
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Data Consultants
docs.google.com
July 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Some familiar names on that list :-D
> A 2024 study showed fifty-three percent of menstruating Colorado women reported suffering from period poverty, a ten percent increase in just two years.
www.westernslopenow.com/news/periodp...
#colorado
www.westernslopenow.com/news/periodp...
#colorado
PeriodPalooza event combating teen hygienic poverty comes to Grand Junction
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) – Period poverty. According to experts, it’s a term riddled with social stigma, used to describe an inability for women and teens who menstruate to afford safe hy…
www.westernslopenow.com
May 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM
> A 2024 study showed fifty-three percent of menstruating Colorado women reported suffering from period poverty, a ten percent increase in just two years.
www.westernslopenow.com/news/periodp...
#colorado
www.westernslopenow.com/news/periodp...
#colorado
Who else is on the @posit.co weekly data science hangout call right now?
posit.co/data-science...
#rstats #python #datascience
posit.co/data-science...
#rstats #python #datascience
Posit
Join us with Cara at Building Stories with Data to chat about why she loves data viz and how she ended up setting up a business to pursue it full time.
posit.co
May 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Who else is on the @posit.co weekly data science hangout call right now?
posit.co/data-science...
#rstats #python #datascience
posit.co/data-science...
#rstats #python #datascience
pluralistic.net/2025/04/27/s...
> Tech workers can avoid the fate of the factory, warehouse and delivery workers their bosses literally work to death – but only by unionizing.
> Tech workers can avoid the fate of the factory, warehouse and delivery workers their bosses literally work to death – but only by unionizing.
April 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
pluralistic.net/2025/04/27/s...
> Tech workers can avoid the fate of the factory, warehouse and delivery workers their bosses literally work to death – but only by unionizing.
> Tech workers can avoid the fate of the factory, warehouse and delivery workers their bosses literally work to death – but only by unionizing.
Life update! Angie and I moved to Fruita in July. We're working, mountain biking, and getting into rafting. And we bought a house! Stop and say hi if you find yourself in western Colorado. I'm soon resuming my email updates, so message me if you need to be added to the "Tiny Letter" mailing list.
April 28, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Life update! Angie and I moved to Fruita in July. We're working, mountain biking, and getting into rafting. And we bought a house! Stop and say hi if you find yourself in western Colorado. I'm soon resuming my email updates, so message me if you need to be added to the "Tiny Letter" mailing list.
Reposted by Thomas W
Discussed a fascinating idea for a foundation model tool at lunch today: interactive navigation in embedding space.
Right now, you prompt generative models with human language. That works, but it's imprecise and coarse. Maybe good enough for consumers; clearly not professional grade.
Right now, you prompt generative models with human language. That works, but it's imprecise and coarse. Maybe good enough for consumers; clearly not professional grade.
January 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Discussed a fascinating idea for a foundation model tool at lunch today: interactive navigation in embedding space.
Right now, you prompt generative models with human language. That works, but it's imprecise and coarse. Maybe good enough for consumers; clearly not professional grade.
Right now, you prompt generative models with human language. That works, but it's imprecise and coarse. Maybe good enough for consumers; clearly not professional grade.
"The problem with social media is that the people we love and want to interact with are being held prisoner in walled gardens. The mechanism of their imprisonment is the "switching costs" of leaving. ..."
pluralistic.net/2025/01/14/c...
pluralistic.net/2025/01/14/c...
Pluralistic: Billionaire-proofing the internet; Picks and Shovels Chapter One (Part 5) (14 Jan 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
January 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
"The problem with social media is that the people we love and want to interact with are being held prisoner in walled gardens. The mechanism of their imprisonment is the "switching costs" of leaving. ..."
pluralistic.net/2025/01/14/c...
pluralistic.net/2025/01/14/c...
If you happen to be a member of my #bldrweb Mastodon instance (toot.bldrweb.org), apologies about the extended downtime! I'm working on a resolution, but have to balance paid work as well. I'm posting status update to the OpenCollective: opencollective.com/dashboard/bl...
#boulder
#boulder
Mastodon
The social network of the future: No ads, no corporate surveillance, ethical design, and decentralization! Own your data with Mastodon!
toot.bldrweb.org
January 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
If you happen to be a member of my #bldrweb Mastodon instance (toot.bldrweb.org), apologies about the extended downtime! I'm working on a resolution, but have to balance paid work as well. I'm posting status update to the OpenCollective: opencollective.com/dashboard/bl...
#boulder
#boulder
Do you know of any #rstats teams who could use some help in 2025?
I'm a freelance consultant with 10yrs of experience in #DataSci, #DataOps, and #SysAdmin for related tools. Open to many types of engagements (project-based, temp staff, etc). Reply, DM, or email (bio) any leads or questions!
I'm a freelance consultant with 10yrs of experience in #DataSci, #DataOps, and #SysAdmin for related tools. Open to many types of engagements (project-based, temp staff, etc). Reply, DM, or email (bio) any leads or questions!
December 27, 2024 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Thomas W
“We've had cases of people that just ditched everything and came here.”
After the election, trans people in other states have flooded a Denver relocation non-profit with calls — hoping to move to Colorado.
An interview with the head of Trans Continental Pipeline:
www.cpr.org/2024/11/13/t...
After the election, trans people in other states have flooded a Denver relocation non-profit with calls — hoping to move to Colorado.
An interview with the head of Trans Continental Pipeline:
www.cpr.org/2024/11/13/t...
Colorado sees 'massive increase' in trans people interested in relocating here after 2024 election
After Donald Trump’s victory, people are seeking refuge from policies in places where they don’t feel welcome. A Colorado nonprofit helps them find a new home.
www.cpr.org
November 13, 2024 at 3:12 PM
“We've had cases of people that just ditched everything and came here.”
After the election, trans people in other states have flooded a Denver relocation non-profit with calls — hoping to move to Colorado.
An interview with the head of Trans Continental Pipeline:
www.cpr.org/2024/11/13/t...
After the election, trans people in other states have flooded a Denver relocation non-profit with calls — hoping to move to Colorado.
An interview with the head of Trans Continental Pipeline:
www.cpr.org/2024/11/13/t...
Starter packs seem great! But I would *strongly* encourage asking folks if they want to be added to your pack before doing so.
Bsky doesn't have a way to opt out of inclusion in a pack nor an "approve follow requests" feature.
Most won't care. Some will care a lot!
#consent #respect
Bsky doesn't have a way to opt out of inclusion in a pack nor an "approve follow requests" feature.
Most won't care. Some will care a lot!
#consent #respect
November 13, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Thomas W
repeating for myself and others -> no NYT games as the workers are on strike!
Glad I saw this before I began my daily games routine!
"The guild said it was asking readers to honor its digital picket line by not playing Times Games products, such as Wordle, and not using the Cooking app."
Gift link:
"The guild said it was asking readers to honor its digital picket line by not playing Times Games products, such as Wordle, and not using the Cooking app."
Gift link:
New York Times Tech Workers Go on Strike
The Times Tech Guild represents more than 600 software developers and others who run the back-end systems behind The Times’s digital operation.
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2024 at 5:00 PM
repeating for myself and others -> no NYT games as the workers are on strike!
Flying to #Portland, #Maine today. We'll have to wait about 3.5h before our travel companions arrive. The rental car is in their name. Looking for suggestions for things to do with the time. I *think* we need to be back at the airport when they arrive so we can be added as drivers on the rental.
October 1, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Thomas W
MEDLab @ UC Boulder is running an incubator compensating community builders with $3500 to learn how to build community on decentralized social apps like Bluesky and Mastodon. No prior technical experience is expected or required.
Would apply myself but don't think I'm the target audience
Would apply myself but don't think I'm the target audience
Open Call: Join the Open Social Incubator
Apply here by October 4Do the online communities and groups that you participate in use digital tools that truly serve your values? Do you want to break free
live-ucbprod-lab-medlab.pantheonsite.io
September 12, 2024 at 4:59 PM
MEDLab @ UC Boulder is running an incubator compensating community builders with $3500 to learn how to build community on decentralized social apps like Bluesky and Mastodon. No prior technical experience is expected or required.
Would apply myself but don't think I'm the target audience
Would apply myself but don't think I'm the target audience
Yesterday, I was lucky enough to meet Quentin Young of @coloradonewsline.com at a Rocky Mountain #PBS event here in #Fruita #Colorado. After following his work for so many years, it was great to meet in person!
Timely reminder to donate to support local journalism: coloradonewsline.com/donate/
Timely reminder to donate to support local journalism: coloradonewsline.com/donate/
Donate • Colorado Newsline
Donate to Colorado Newsline
coloradonewsline.com
September 12, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Yesterday, I was lucky enough to meet Quentin Young of @coloradonewsline.com at a Rocky Mountain #PBS event here in #Fruita #Colorado. After following his work for so many years, it was great to meet in person!
Timely reminder to donate to support local journalism: coloradonewsline.com/donate/
Timely reminder to donate to support local journalism: coloradonewsline.com/donate/
Just a quick PSA for #rstats followers here: don't forget to check-in on and possibly cross-post to Mastodon.
The rstats community there is very lively. If you're only on bluesky, you're missing some great updates and conversation.
E.g.
mastodon.social/tags/rstats
The rstats community there is very lively. If you're only on bluesky, you're missing some great updates and conversation.
E.g.
mastodon.social/tags/rstats
Mastodon
The original server operated by the Mastodon gGmbH non-profit
mastodon.social
August 31, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Just a quick PSA for #rstats followers here: don't forget to check-in on and possibly cross-post to Mastodon.
The rstats community there is very lively. If you're only on bluesky, you're missing some great updates and conversation.
E.g.
mastodon.social/tags/rstats
The rstats community there is very lively. If you're only on bluesky, you're missing some great updates and conversation.
E.g.
mastodon.social/tags/rstats
Reposted by Thomas W
Ducked(!) out early from the #tidyverse dev day so I could catch part of the #duckdb DuckCon. The #rstats world will always have my heart, but the duck-theme ecosystem is very attractive! (Luckily there's no need to choose).
August 15, 2024 at 11:23 PM
Ducked(!) out early from the #tidyverse dev day so I could catch part of the #duckdb DuckCon. The #rstats world will always have my heart, but the duck-theme ecosystem is very attractive! (Luckily there's no need to choose).
Reposted by Thomas W
Can’t wait to see my old and new friends next week at #PositConf2024!
Need a place to keep all the precious stickers you collect?😅I’m bringing these mini envelopes stocked with my logo stickers and a 10% promo code for #TheCodingCats Etsy shop.
Come find me for one! ☺️
Need a place to keep all the precious stickers you collect?😅I’m bringing these mini envelopes stocked with my logo stickers and a 10% promo code for #TheCodingCats Etsy shop.
Come find me for one! ☺️
August 8, 2024 at 11:25 PM
Can’t wait to see my old and new friends next week at #PositConf2024!
Need a place to keep all the precious stickers you collect?😅I’m bringing these mini envelopes stocked with my logo stickers and a 10% promo code for #TheCodingCats Etsy shop.
Come find me for one! ☺️
Need a place to keep all the precious stickers you collect?😅I’m bringing these mini envelopes stocked with my logo stickers and a 10% promo code for #TheCodingCats Etsy shop.
Come find me for one! ☺️
Wrapping up an extended visit in Asheville, NC and this is my snarky, uninformed comparison to Boulder:
#Boulder: PINO pretentious
#Asheville: purple progressive
#Boulder: PINO pretentious
#Asheville: purple progressive
April 7, 2024 at 2:23 AM
Wrapping up an extended visit in Asheville, NC and this is my snarky, uninformed comparison to Boulder:
#Boulder: PINO pretentious
#Asheville: purple progressive
#Boulder: PINO pretentious
#Asheville: purple progressive