Jonathan Levy

I am not using this account much anymore so probably will not see mentions or messages. To reach me, please use the links at data.cityofchicago.org.

@DrArwady I am sorry to hear it. Best wishes for a relatively mild case and quick recovery. And, of course, thank you for turning lemons into lemonade by using it as an opportunity to reinforce the vaccination message!

Last night, for the first time, I tested positive for COVID-19. I am experiencing some cold-like symptoms but am otherwise well, which I credit to being vaccinated and boosted. I will continue to work from home while following the CDC guidelines for isolation. 🧵1/3

43rd Ward residents: Note chicago.gov/city/en/about/… If you want the job, I guess go for it and good luck! However, probably of direct relevance to a much larger group of residents, there is a survey towards the bottom of the page, seeking your input.

Heidi has been so friendly and so helpful on occasions where I needed a photo to add some visual appeal to a dataset. Best of luck in whatever is next for you, Heidi!

Nice!

Have a great -- and safe -- Memorial Day weekend, everyone! Also, of course, let's remember and honor the "memorial" part for both the members of the military and civilians lost over the years. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 8/8

At least as stated in the e-mail, it is, "to show our unified commitment to addressing the root causes of gun violence and ensuring the safety of all Chicagoans." Hopefully, even as we debate the specifics, as one should do vigorously in a democracy, we can agree on that. 7/8

Two things have stuck with me from a talk I attended many years ago by a trauma doctor at Cook County Hospital: 1) Over his career, he had seen his patients go from being shot once with a relatively lower-damage bullet to being shot multiple time with more powerful bullets. 1/8

@spakhm Full disclosure: I am a CMU alum, although not in CS, but would say the same even if that were not the current example. I certainly would never say someone should go to CMU if some other school is a better fit, considering all relevant factors for the specific student.

@spakhm Generally, get the degree. 1st, college is about more than professional credentials. Further, a degree from a good school also implies (≠ proves) education in more than just a narrow field, ability to think critically, ability to write, and ability to complete something hard.

Happy New Year! One of my favorite pieces of #OpenData (Taxi Trips - data.cityofchicago.org/d/wrvz-psew) now has nine years of data -- and quite the nine years of #Chicago and world history. Its younger sibling (TNP Trips - data.cityofchicago.org/d/m6dm-c72p) is just past three.

@tomschenkjr @jdkunesh To your credit, I think the last work assignment you ever gave me was to remove your access on the open data side of the house -- which I would have done, anyway, and someone will do to/for me someday. Your names and legacies are still live here, even if your accounts are not.

@jdkunesh Yeah, bit of a gut punch when you get that.

Pour one out for me.

It should have clicked in my mind that, of course, @OpenMobilityFnd would be looking for a new Executive Director but it didn't until I happened across openmobilityfoundation.org/wp-content/upl…. So, on the chance that it helps, I figured I would add a tiny bit of amplification. Good luck!

@Rchards "People will misunderstand the data." Yes, probably. Good metadata (which can take substantial effort) is important but it still will happen to some extent. Do your best and then be available to answer questions / correct misunderstandings as best you can.

@Rchards Open data are messy data. There will be errors, missing data, outliers, etc. That is ok. If the standard is perfection, you will hardly ever release anything.

Talking on open data for the first time in a while. What sort of things should I bring up?