NYC Subway Passenger Habit Charts

© Photographer Oscar1319 | Agency: Dreamstime.com

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently published an observational study of subway rider seating behavior. Collecting data over three weeks in late winter 2012, the researchers published their findings on rider seating preferences in a draft report: who finds seats when the train is crowded? Do standing riders prefer vertical bars or graspable handles?  Which seat type do sitting riders take:  seats near a door or bench spots?

Based on some of the data from the report, let’s create visuals – charts that offer us a glimpse into some questions: Continue reading “NYC Subway Passenger Habit Charts”

“The Sexiest Job in the 21st Century”

© Photographer Shannon Matteson
Agency: Dreamstime.com

How do we make use of an explosion of information?   What skills do we need to manage massive amounts of data?  Can we analyze them, create visualizations, and make discoveries?

If any of these questions intrigue you, you may be interested in “the sexiest job in the 21st century” (according to the Harvard Business Review).

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How to Estimate Taxes with Spreadsheets

© Photographer John Hix | Agency: Dreamstime.com

The tax code is complex: figuring out just how much we owe Uncle Sam is frequently accompanied with a huge headache. So just how neat would it be if we had an easy way to estimate how much federal taxes we owe?

By the end of this post, you will 1) understand how our federal tax schedule works, and 2) be on your way to creating a tax estimator spreadsheet. Continue reading “How to Estimate Taxes with Spreadsheets”

Pivot Table & National Volunteering Month

April is National Volunteering Month, so let’s celebrate!  What better way is there to celebrate than to honor those who devote themselves to their communities while simultaneously mastering a pivot table?  That’s right – you heard me!

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Mad Men Salary Equivalence

© Photographer Dana Rothstein | Agency: Dreamstime.com

In Season 5 of Mad Men, a TV series set in the 1960’s, Peggy leaves the company to accept a salary of $19,000.   What does $19K in 1967 equate to in today’s dollars?   Let’s solve it with a spreadsheet!

Continue reading “Mad Men Salary Equivalence”