Sharon Machlis

@smachlis

Author of Practical R for Mass Communication & Journalism ❤️ #RStats, writing & walkable/bikeable cities Having fun with GenAI Retired tech journalist Also #SmartHome #HamRadio #VibrantAging #Running #Photography #Crochet #ASL

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Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir smachlis.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· 25d

Starting Monday, only Claude Max and Team Premium users will have access to the Fable LLM as part of their subscriptions, Anthropic posted on that other network. Other paid users only get it by buying extra usage credits (which burn quickly); they also get a one-time $100 credit.

@claudeai post on Twitter/X:
Beginning July 20, Claude Fable 5 will be included in all Max and Team Premium plans, at 50% of limits.

Pro and Team Standard users will continue to have access to Fable via usage credits, and will receive a one-time $100 credit.

Demand for Fable has been challenging to predict, which is why we rolled it out to subscription plans in stages, extending access several times as we secured additional capacity.
10:14 PM · Jul 17, 2026

11.4M Views, 3.7K comments, 10K reposts, 41K likes

Additional post:

We know this has been frustrating, and we want to give you more certainty about what your plan includes. We are making access standard at 50% usage for the plans that use Fable most intensively.

Thank you for your patience over the past several weeks. We're continuing to invest in new capacity and will keep everyone updated as we do.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· 25d

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jul 17, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 154 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Jul 11–Jul 17, 2026 had 154 posts, and the week before had 186.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· 26d

Hummingbird in the yard!

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jul 11

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jul 10, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 186 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Jul 4–Jul 10, 2026 had 186 posts, and the week before had 205.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jul 4

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jul 3, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 205 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Jun 27–Jul 3, 2026 had 205 posts, and the week before had 218.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jul 3

I love this 404 page at Morningstar 😂

404 Error

Like guarantees of future returns, this page doesn’t exist.

Try searching, or go to our homepage.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 28

My {worldcup26} #Rstats 📦's HTML page has been updated with a Knockout Stage tab now that the first round has finished. Web page: smach.github.io/worldcup26/ R package: github.com/smach/worldc... #WorldCup

Screenshot of tournament knockout-stage schedule set to US Eastern time. Tabs read "By team," "By date," "Knockout stage," and "Standings." A button says "Update scores."

Round of 32: Sun, Jun 28 · 3:00 PM EDT, South Africa vs Canada; Mon, Jun 29 · 1:00 PM EDT, Brazil vs Japan; Mon, Jun 29 · 4:30 PM EDT, Germany vs Paraguay; Mon, Jun 29 · 9:00 PM EDT, Netherlands vs Morocco; Tue, Jun 30 · 1:00 PM EDT, Ivory Coast vs Norway; Tue, Jun 30 · 5:00 PM EDT, France vs Sweden; Tue, Jun 30 · 9:00 PM EDT, Mexico vs Ecuador; Wed, Jul 1 · 12:00 PM EDT, England vs Congo DR; Wed, Jul 1 · 4:00 PM EDT, Belgium vs Senegal.

Round of 16 through final show scheduled dates and times, with all teams listed as "TBD."
Alt text by ChatGPT

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 27

Commemorative stamps from the last time the US hosted World Cup games (1994. It now costs 78 cents to mail a first-class letter 😅 )

29 cent US commemorative postage stamps showing a dressing of a player and a soccer ball)

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 27

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jun 26, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 218 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Jun 20–Jun 26, 2026 had 218 posts, and the week before had 211.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 23

I LOVE this from @jasminedaly.bsky.social 's presentation at the Salt Lake City R User Group! I think it applies to all developers in the age of AI, not only consultants and those who use R.

"My value as a consultant is not defined by the R code I write. It is defined by the strategic clarity, values, and outcomes I help my clients achieve through the tools & systems I create!"

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 22

I walked around Boston this weekend to soak up the atmosphere of being a World Cup host city. Scotland's Tartan Army was definitely here! [As the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture shows ]

Big soccer ball sculpture in Boston's Copley Square

Make Way for Ducklings sculpture wearing Scottish flags

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 20

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jun 19, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 211 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Jun 13–Jun 19, 2026 had 211 posts, and the week before had 255.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 13

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jun 12, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 255 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Jun 6–Jun 12, 2026 had 255 posts, and the week before had 220.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 9

On a local trail this morning (Retirement is great 😀)

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 8

Not to mention all the chess matches 😃

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Jun 6

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Jun 5, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 220 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of May 30–Jun 5, 2026 had 220 posts, and the week before had 234.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· May 30

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - May 29, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 234 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of May 23–May 29, 2026 had 234 posts, and the week before had 256.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· May 24

Another glorious Memorial Day weekend afternoon here in New England. And yes, it's also pouring rain.

Screenshot of a weather station reading showing 53.6 degrees.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· May 23

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - May 22, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 256 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of May 16–May 22, 2026 had 256 posts, and the week before had 227.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· May 16

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - May 15, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 227 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of May 9–May 15, 2026 had 227 posts, and the week before had 245.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· May 9

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - May 8, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 245 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of May 2–May 8, 2026 had 245 posts, and the week before had 303.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· May 2

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - May 1, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 303 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Apr 25–May 1, 2026 had 303 posts, and the week before had 313.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Apr 25

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Apr 24, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 313 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Apr 18–Apr 24, 2026 had 313 posts, and the week before had 443.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Apr 20

Elite women running through #Framingham, about 6.5 miles into today's Boston Marathon. Red arrow should point to eventual winner Sharon Lokedi.

Group of women running on a street, red arrow points to one of the women toward the back of that pack.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Apr 18

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Apr 17, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 443 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Apr 11–Apr 17, 2026 had 443 posts, and the week before had 331.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Apr 13

As always, I like to look at US political data by religion as well as race. White "mainline" non-evangelical Protestants dropped below 50% on immigration, according to this PRRI survey. White evangelicals remain his biggest supporters, and he still has majority support among white Catholics. 1/2

Bar chart titled “Figure 2. Views on Trump’s Handling of Immigration, 2025 and 2026, by Religious Affiliation.” Subtitle: “Percent who ______ handling immigration:” Blue bars are March 2025, “Approve of the job President Trump is doing.” Green bars are February 2026, “Hold favorable views of how Trump is” handling immigration. Values shown: All Americans 48 in 2025, 35 in 2026. White evangelical Protestant 78, 69. White Catholic 63, 53. White mainline/non-evangelical Protestant 64, 46. Jewish 39, 30. Hispanic Protestant 34, 23. Other non-Christian religion 43, 23. Unaffiliated 35, 21. Hispanic Catholic 29, 19. Black Protestant 29, 15. Source: PRRI Surveys, 2025 and 2026. [Alt text by ChatGPT]

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Apr 7

Thank you. It's odd because thinking seems to be on by default, at least in ollama, and not something I need to turn on. I'll investigate! FYI I updated my InfoWorld article on evaluating LLMs with the R vitals 📦since it scored 100% on my 1st round of tests #Rstats www.infoworld.com/article/4130...

Update (April 6, 2026): I used vitals and the same three-item dataset to test several LLMs from Google’s new Gemma 4 open-weight, commercially permissive family announced on April 2.

While the 4b version did about the same as other local LLMs I’ve tried, gemma-4-26b scored a surprising 100% when I ran it six times.

Note that although it ran at an acceptable speed in Ollama, gemma-4-26b was a tight fit in my PC’s memory when running vitals inside RStudio. In fact, it choked when I tried to run multiple epochs at once, so I ended up running only one test at a time.

Also important: I set up the ellmer chat object to turn off the model’s “thinking.” The code:

chat_gemma_26b <- chat_ollama(
model = "gemma4:26b",
api_args = list(
think = FALSE
)
)

my_task_gemma_26b_1 <- Task$new(
dataset = my_dataset,
solver = generate(chat_gemma_26b),
scorer = model_graded_qa(
scorer_chat = chat_anthropic(model = "claude-opus-4-6")
),
name = "Basic gemma26b test running just once with Opus judging"
)

my_task_gemma_26b_1$eval(epochs = 1)

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Apr 4

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Apr 3, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 298 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Mar 28–Apr 3, 2026 had 298 posts, and the week before had 224.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Mar 28

Weekly number of Bluesky posts with the #RStats hashtag (case insensitive) Sept. 2024 - Mar 27, 2026, excluding the CRAN Package Updates bot. Weeks run Sat–Fri. This past week: 224 posts Coded with {bskyr} and {ggplot2} [Posted via cron job. Tx for ur patience if something went awry] #RStatsStats

Bar chart of weekly #RStats posts (Sat–Fri). The week of Mar 21–Mar 27, 2026 had 224 posts, and the week before had 341.

Sharon Machlis@smachlis· Mar 28

“summarytools is an R package for data cleaning, exploring, and simple reporting.” github.com/dcomtois/sum... #RStats 📦