Windsor Hackforge

OpenStreetMap: Note Resolution
2025-11-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥 In Person Only💲 Free

When someone is unable to enter data directly into OpenStreetMap, they have the option to offer the information as a “Note.” Notes might be business information, details about road surface quality, or pointing out an error in the data. These geo-tagged text strings offer an account-free, low-barrier-of-entry method for people to contribute to OSM.

Notes make their way into OSM through a few methods. Certain projects – like onosm.org – focus entirely on sharing info to OSM as notes. OSM.org allows users to enter notes directly through the web-browser – no need to even open iD! Numerous mobile apps also offer notes as a form of data entry, as some data is just too finnicky to enter via mobile.

However they all got there, Windsor and Essex County currently feature somewhere around 40 open notes. So this month we’re going to work on cleaning those up! Some of these notes are relatively new, while others have been sitting around for a while. We’ll gather in-person at Windsor Hackforge from 6 – 8 PM on Tuesday, November 11th to take care of as many as we can. Whether you’re new to OSM or have been around for a minute, we’d love to have your help and input!

📆 Tuesday, November 11🕦 6 – 8 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎟️RSVP below

DOSember
2025-12-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Step back into the world of classic computing with DOSember!

Celebrate the charm of DOS-era gaming and coding through hands-on activities, retro challenges, and pure nostalgia. We’re bringing back the look, feel, and spirit of early PC culture, right down to the text-based screens and pixel-perfect games that defined a generation.

Whether you’re a veteran of the command line or brand-new to the world of DOS, this throwback event has something for everyone. Explore the tools and tricks that powered early computing, rediscover the games that shaped PC history, and experience the creative limitations that sparked so much innovation. DOSember is all about having fun, learning something new, and reconnecting with where modern tech began.

Please install DOS Box on the machine you intend to bring so you’re ready to go!

What’s in store:• Retro playtime• Hands-on coding• Meet fellow enthusiasts

📆Dec. 12, 2025🕦6-9 PM📍In-Person at Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Suite 210)🎟️RSVP below

TTRPG Day @ Hackforge (INVITE ONLY)
2025-12-20 00:00 - 23:59 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥 In Person Only (Invite-Only)💲 Free

Complete the 2025 Community Survey and enter to win a seat at Hackforge’s Invite-Only TTRPG table!There’s an empty spotIn our Adventure PartyYou up to the task?

Complete the surveyAnd win the draw to join usLuck be on your side

Word on the street is that Doug is dicing up something delicious!

👉Survey here📆 Dec. 20, 2025📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)

Shader Playground: Create Stunning Visuals in Your Browser
2026-01-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥In Person Only 💲 Free

Using GPUs? For graphics??? In this economy? Shader Playground is a hands-on event where you’ll dive into the world of GPU programming right from your browser. Using Shadertoy, you can experiment with live graphics code, tweak samples, and see your changes instantly. It’s a fun way to explore how graphics run on GPUs instead of CPUs, letting you create vibrant visual effects and animations with surprisingly little setup.

This event is perfect for anyone curious about graphics programming or creative coding. You’ll get to play with existing shaders, build your own visual experiments, and learn the tricks behind dynamic, real-time graphics. No experience is required, just an interest in making things look amazing on screen and a willingness to tinker.

What you’ll take away:– Hands-on experience writing GPU-based pixel shaders in GLSL and creating visual effects– A fun way to see and learn how graphics programming takes advantage of parallel execution– Inspiration and skills to experiment with your own creative coding projects and give you more tools for your Global Game Jam experience

📆 Jan 16, 2026🕦 6-8 PM📍In-Person at Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below

Exploring Map Data in Game Development
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥In Person Only 💲 Free

In preparation for the 2026 Global Game Jam, OpenStreetMap Windsor-Essex invites you to an interactive workshop exploring how open geodata can be used in videogames.

While it might seem obvious to use the map data for…maps…That isn’t the only option! OSM can be utilized in text-based games, to determine POIs in mobile AR games, to generate geocentric quiz games, and more!

This session will combine:

✨Inspiration: See games that creatively use OSM data and brainstorm other ways to integrate geodata into your own projects.

🧪Hands-on Experimentation: Try out OSM-based game development using Godot, Unity, Blender, or the tools you know best. Tutorials and resource links will be provided, but attendees are welcome to test out their own methods and ideas.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Collaboration: Work with other participants to tackle challenges, share ideas, and learn from each other.

You’ll leave this workshop with a deeper understanding of how open geodata can enhance your game design and development process—and maybe even meet potential teammates for the Global Game Jam!

Tips for getting the most from this workshop:

Explore OSM Basics: Familiarize yourself with what OpenStreetMap is and its data structure. Recordings from past events on our YouTube channel can be a great starting point.

Temper Your Expectations: This workshop builds on existing knowledge of game, software, or web development – it’s hands-on and experimental, not a step-by-step tutorial. Beginners are welcome, but come ready to explore and experiment!

Prepare Your Tech: Bring your laptop with your preferred tools and platforms pre-installed so you can jump straight into experimentation.

📆 Tuesday, January 20, 2026🕦 6:30 – 8:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below

Throwback Playtest
2026-02-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥In Person Only 💲 Free

Coming in hot on the heels of last month’s Global Game Jam, we’re bringing GGJ games from Hackforgers and putting them in the spotlight. This Throwback Playtest Night is your chance to dive into games Hackforgers created during past Global Game Jams, including the freshest builds from January. Come play weird, wonderful, and unfinished-in-the-best-way games.

This event is for Hackforgers of all experience levels (game devs and non-devs alike) and anyone curious about indie games or the creative chaos that comes from making things together. You don’t need to have participated in a game jam to join, if you like playing games or talking about them, you belong here.

What to bringBring a laptop if you have one, especially if you want to jump between games or give hands-on feedback. Don’t worry if you don’t, we’ll have some laptops available to share.

Come play, laugh at bugs, discover hidden gems, and relive the joy of making games fast and weird…together.

What you’ll get out of it– 🎲 Play a variety of games made during past Global Game Jams-🤝 Connect with other Hackforgers and game-curious folks while celebrating jam culture

📆 February 17🕦 6:30-8:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below

OSM Social
2026-02-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥In Person Only 💲 Free

low-key event.

draw maps

talk about maps

think about maps

debate the role of open geodata in modern life

everyone welcome.

📆 Tuesday, February 24th🕦 6 – 8 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎟️RSVP Below!

Untangling Intersections with OSMPIE
2026-03-31 17:30 - 19:30 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

This month’s OSM Windsor-Essex meetup introduces OSMPIE (OpenStreetMap Perfect Intersection Editor) – a specialized tool that makes creating accurate road structures surprisingly straightforward. Join fellow mappers to improve street data right here in our region, making navigation better for everyone who lives, works, and visits Windsor-Essex.

What you’ll gain:

Experience with a powerful editor designed specifically for complex road mapping

Connections with other civic-tech minded community members

Improved ability to accurately render real-world roadways in a digital space

What to bring:

A free OSM account (create one beforehand)

A wifi-enabled laptop (we have loaners available)

This is an intermediate-level event! Basic knowledge of Openstreetmap tagging schema is an asset (review recordings of past events to get caught up)

Planning to attend? Please let us know! Register to attend in-person using the RSVP form below, or get the videoconference link by registering via Zoom.

📆 Tuesday, March 31🕦 5:30 – 7:30 PM📍In-person at Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210) & Online via Zoom

Passions, People & Possibilities Fair
2026-04-11 10:00 - 14:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Fogolar Furlan (1800 N Service Rd, Windsor)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Come see Hackforge’s booth at Windsor-Essex Family Network’s Passions, People & Possibilities Fair! We’ll have some Hackforge info and a few Hackforgers on hand.

If you’ve ever wondered about Hackforge, now’s your chance to ask your questions in person, in a community-based fair full of fund groups, clubs, and passions to discover!

ONE EVENT. TWO ROOMS. ONE COMMUNITY.

This event is a high-energy, community-building effort, designed to bring people together around what they love.

For more info, please visit ﻿WindsoressexfamnetPassions, People & Possibilities Fair﻿

📆 April 11🕦 10:30am – 2:30pm📍Fogolar Furlan (1800 N Service Rd, Windsor, ON N8W 1Y3)🎟️ Free (Donation Suggested)

Spring Mixer
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Thirsty Butler, 1585 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, On, Canada
📍 Thirsty Butler (1585 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Hackforgers Unite!

Join us for an evening of really good company, chill vibes, and a whole lot of nerdy talk.

First timer? Curious about Hackforge? This low pressure event is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the community and get familiar with all things Hackforge.

This is where all of Hackforge comes together. So whether you’re new, a LUGer, a fan of WCCUG, a part of weGIS, find joy in BCD, or are an OSM star, this is your chance to make connections across interest groups!

Please be aware that all attendees will be responsible for their own tabs.

Please RSVP so we can keep the location updated with numbers.

📆 April 24🕦 7:00 – 9:00 PM📍Thirsty Butler (1585 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON)🎟️ RSVP at www.hackf.org/events

Jane's Walk: Mapping the Ghosts of Essex County
2026-04-26 14:45 - 15:45 | John R. Park Homestead, 915 County Rd 50 E, Essex, On, Canada
📍 John R. Park Homestead’s Visitor Centre (915 County Rd 50 E, Essex)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Join us for a “Jane’s Talk” that bridges the gap between archival paper maps and the digital age.

In this introductory-level session, we’ll be looking at OpenHistoricalMap (OHM) – an Openstreetmap branch that focuses on mapping the history of the world’s settlements, roadways, and infrastructure. See how we’re turning scans and photographs of century-old, hand drawn maps into interactive digital data, and find out how to connect with us to share your own knowledge.

Part history lesson and part tech seminar, this event shows how archival records are being used to build a “Google Maps” for our region’s past—revealing how early land grants and original surveys still dictate the roads we drive today.

This session is presented in partnership with the Windsor-Essex Jane’s Walk Festival, an annual celebration of neighbourhoods through volunteer-led walking tours and events. Visit their website for more information about this amazing annual event, including this year’s complete schedule.

📆 April 26🕦 2:45 – 3:45 PM📍John R. Park Homestead’s Visitor Centre (915 County Rd 50 E, Essex)✅ Reserve your spot through the Jane’s Walk website!

LUG Install Party
2026-05-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Suite 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

This month, LUG will be hosting a Linux install party… drop-in style!

If you’re interested in trying out Linux, then this is the event for you! Members will be available to help you with installing Linux on your laptop, onto a virtual machine, or any other kind of device.

Come on out even if you’re already familiar with Linux! This is a great opportunity to try a new distribution or just hang around and chat with other Linux enthusiasts.

📆 Saturday, May 9, 2026🕦 10am-2pm (drop in any time)📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Suite 210)

WeGIS Mixer
2026-05-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Eastwood’s grill and lounge, 63 Riverside Dr E, Windsor, N9A 7C4, Canada
📍 Eastwood’s Grill & Lounge (63 Riverside Dr E, Windsor, ON)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Let’s run a spatial join and gather at Eastwood’s Grill and Lounge for weGIS’s Spring Mixer! Since GIS supports so many fields and workflows, I encourage any and everyone to attend this event as it’ll be a great opportunity to meet new people and learn interesting perspectives from GIS and beyond! There’s no theme and no stakes, just some drinks and a good time. 🌎🍻

Please be aware that all attendees will be responsible for their own tabs.

Please RSVP so we can keep the location updated with numbers.

📆 May 20th🕦 6:00 – 8:00 PM📍Eastwood’s Grill & Lounge (63 Riverside Dr E, Windsor, ON)

WCCUG - C and C++ Horror Stories
2026-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Loose Goose, 126 Ouellette Av, Windsor, ON, Canada
📍 Loose Goose Downtown (126 Ouellette Ave, Windsor, ON)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Join us for a Pub Night of C and C++ horror stories. Share your funniest and most frustrating experiences from the world of systems programming with others who understand the struggle.

As is usually natural, we’ll also be having a casual discussion about open source, collaboration, and how C and C++ continue to power critical software projects.

Open to all experience levels.

Come for the laughs, stay for the community and conversation.

📆 Thursday, May 21, 2026🕦 7-9 PM📍Loose Goose Downtown (126 Ouellette Ave, Windsor, ON)

NAAW Kickoff
2026-05-24 14:00 - 16:30 | Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO), 1100 University Ave. West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 5S7, Canada
📍 Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Technology should be a bridge, not a wall. While tech helps many of us access knowledge and share insights, that experience isn’t universal. Too often, the tools meant to connect us actually get in the way. For our 2026 National AccessAbility Week kickoff, Hackforge is hosting an open forum to bridge these gaps.

We are inviting community members with access needs to share their lived experiences. We want to hear the honest truth about:

The Hurdles: Where does technology fall short? Where do digital systems or physical public spaces exclude you?

The Wins: What apps, websites, or services have actually improved your accessibility? Who is doing things right, and what can we learn from them?

These shared barriers will become the Hackforge community’s “to-do list” for the coming year. We aim to develop and share real-world solutions for these challenges over the next twelve months.

Sign up to speak? No need! This is a moderated, open-floor session. Everyone will have the chance to contribute in a respectful, supportive environment.

What experiences count? All of them. Whether your need is temporary or chronic, a minor friction point or a major barrier, your perspective is valuable.

Who Should Attend?

Advocates & Individuals facing accessibility barriers who want their voices heard.

The Tech-Curious & Makers looking to use their skills for social good.

Community Members interested in building a more inclusive city.

If you’ve been looking for a way to use your skills to help your neighbors, this is your chance to start.

Beyond the Screen: Live Website Reviews
2026-05-26 18:00 - 20:30 | Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO), 1100 University Ave. West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 5S7, Canada
📍 Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

As a business owners or web developer, you may be aware that you should be following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and you might even know what those guidelines are. But do you know why they’re important? Have you ever seen what actually happens when these best practices aren’t followed? Join us for a look beyond the screen as accessibility consultant David Best provides live demonstrations of internet use with a screen reader.

We’ve partnered with local community organizations to review their sites in real-time, but we want to see yours, too! Attendees are invited to offer up their own projects for instant, expert feedback

During the session, we will:

Navigate content using a screen reader

Identify common accessibility issues

Demonstrate accessible and inaccessible design patterns

Review keyboard navigation, headings, forms, buttons, links, images, and ARIA usage

Discuss practical improvements aligned with WCAG guidelines

Who Should Attend?

Web Developers & Designers looking to sharpen their technical skills.

Business Owners wanting to ensure their digital storefront is open to everyone.

Product Managers & Content Creators who want to understand the impact of their work.

📆 May 26, 2026🕦 6-8:30 PM📍Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West🎟️ RSVP BelowHere’s how to find us 👇University Ave W is closed at Cameron Ave and Elm Ave, so come up Wellington Ave from Wyandotte St — it’ll take you straight to our parking lot.

NAAW Closing
2026-05-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 ⭐NEW LOCATION! Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

As a business owners or web developer, you may be aware that you should be following Join Hackforge and ALSO as we conclude NAAW 2026. This session is more than just a recap; it’s a strategy meeting for the year ahead. We’ll review the insights gathered during our discussions and outline how we plan to integrate these lessons into our future programming.

We’ll also be taking this opportunity to launch the first version of our Accessible Community Data Bank! Born from community survey responses and data from ALSO, this living resource tracks specific accessibility supports at businesses and public locations throughout Windsor-Essex. Whether it’s physical ramp access, sensory-friendly hours, or digital accommodations, we’re documenting it all to help neighbors navigate our community with confidence.

Who Should Attend?

NAAW Participants who want to see how their feedback is being used.

Data Enthusiasts & Researchers interested in the new community resource.

Local Business Owners who want to ensure their accessibility features are accurately represented.

Volunteers looking for a meaningful way to contribute throughout the year.

Let’s turn this week’s lessons into next year’s solutions.

📆 May 30th, 2026🕦 1-3pm📍⭐NEW LOCATION! Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎟️ RSVP Below

OSM Field Mapping: Ford City
2026-06-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Whelpton Park, 2771 Whelpton St, Windsor, ON, Canada
📍 Ford City (Meet at Whelpton Park – 2771 Whelpton St)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

With the return of warm weather comes the return of everyone’s favourite OSM activity – Field Mapping!

Come with us as we wander along the streets of Ford City tagging benches, trees, potholes, and more. These interactive outdoor sessions are beginner-friendly and help to improve the data that runs apps like Strava, Pokemon Go!, and Apple Maps.

Requirements for participation:

A mobile device with a data plan

A free OpenStreetMap account

The StreetComplete or Every Door app

Whatever the weather dictates you need for comfort (hat, sunglasses, waterbottle, etc.)

Meet at Whelpton Park (corner of Drouillard and Whelpton) for introductions and demos, then explore the neighbourhood with friends old and new!

📆 Tuesday, June 23, 2026🕦 6:30 – 8:30 PM📍Ford City (Meet at Whelpton Park – 2771 Whelpton St)

Want to prep early? Start with these steps:

create an account at osm.org

download StreetComplete (GoogleStreetComplete – Apps on Google Play) (android-only)AND/OR

download Every Door (Every-doorEvery Door) (android and iOS)

log in to your chosen app using your OSM account

AGM & Lightning Talks
2026-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Hackforge’s Annual General Meeting is your chance to look back on an incredible year of community events, creative projects, collaborations, and growth, while getting a sneak peek at where we’re headed next.

Whether you’ve been part of the community for years or are just getting involved, the AGM is a great opportunity to connect, learn more about what we do, and help chart the course ahead. While only official members of the non-profit will be able to participate in the vote for a new board member, everyone is welcome to attend this meeting and learn more about what happens behind-the-scenes in a non-profit.

Members with voting rights will receive personalized invitations by May 26th. If you have not received yours and believe you should, please reach out to our Managing Director.

Once the meeting wraps up, the energy keeps going with another round of Lightning Talks!

These short, super fun presentations give community members the floor for five minutes to share something they’re passionate about. Talk about your latest side project, a problem you’re trying to solve, or your wicked cool hack! This time around, speaking slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so look for the signup sheet when you arrive!

📆 June 25, 2026🕦 6-9 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)🎟️ RSVP Below
