Windsor Hackforge

WCCUG - Paint Project
2026-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Toronto) | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

After last month’s dive into C++ 101, we’re back to The Paint Project.

If you’re new to C++, we are building a paint style program (think Microsoft Paint or Mario Paint), using C++ as a big group project.

Together, we’ll hack on the paint project and anyone who wants to work on it can either bring their laptops and feature-hack, or work on zoom and chat with us.

Participants should ideally come with an idea to work on, and we’ll help each other out!

What you need to attend:

A laptop with a compiler

An idea to work on during the session.

Who Should Attend?

Coding Enthusiasts

Those interested in learning C++

Folks who want to contribute to a Hackforge Project

📆 August 20🕦 7-9 PM📍Hybrid (Hackforge HQ @ 300 Ouellette, Unit 210 & Online via Zoom)💬 Interest Group: LUG🎟️ RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP in Person Below

Hackforge Town Hall
2026-08-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom👥🖥️ Hybrid 💲 Free

We’ve noticed that a lot of people who come to our events don’t realize they have a standing invitation to help guide the organization—and we want to change that.

Our Membership Committee has been looking at how we will define and handle membership in the future, and before making any official changes in 2027, are hosting a few opportunities for casual chats with the community. If you’re interested in what goes on behind-the-scenes, or want a say in where we go next, this is the perfect opportunity to engage.

Join the first-ever Hackforge Town Hall where you can:

Get to know us: Meet our staff, board, and committee members.

Shape our programming: Tell us what you want to see more (or less!) of.

Share your ideas: Help us figure out how to build a community you want to be a part of.

Help define membership: Help us talk through what “joining Hackforge” should look like moving forward.

As always, this event is completely free and open to everyone.

📆 Saturday, August 15, 2026🕦 1 – 2:30 PM📍 In-person at Hackforge HQ & Online via Zoom🎟️ Register to attend virtually via Zoom💬 Interest Group: Hackforge Community

Shader Playground II
2026-08-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

After a smashing success in January, Shader Playground returns!Whether you joined us last time or are jumping in for the first time, Shader Playground Part II is your chance to create stunning real-time visuals with GPU programming, right in your browser.

This August session is all about making cool stuff.But this isn’t just any playground session, we’ll be launching a ShaderToy competition, where you’ll have the entire month to create your own original shader using Shadertoy. During this work session, you’ll be able to brainstorm ideas, experiment with GLSL, get feedback, and refine your entry alongside other participants, all in a super collaborative environment.

In September, we’ll showcase the submissions and announce the winners. Entries will be judged by Hackforge leadership and staff.

Please note that all entries are subject to our Code of Conduct.For full information, rules, and eligibility, please visit the competition webpage.

Whether you’re interested in graphics programming, creative coding, or simply making cool things on your screen, Shader Playground is a fun, low-pressure way to explore the power of the GPU.

No prior graphics experience is required, just bring your curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

What you’ll take away:

Hands-on experience writing GPU-based pixel shaders in GLSL and creating interactive visual effects.

A deeper understanding of how graphics programming leverages massively parallel execution.

A start on a shader you can submit to the competition, along with new creative coding techniques you can apply to future projects (including Global Game Jam).

📆 August 14th🕦 7-9 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom💬 Interest Group: General🎟️ RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP in Person Below

LUG August Social
2026-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍Discord💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Come join us as we nerd out about Linux at this month’s Hackforge Linux User Group Virtual Social!

What to Expect:

Help with Problems: Bring your Linux-related queries and let our community experts assist you in finding solutions.

Current Events Discussion: Stay updated and engage in discussions about the latest happenings in the Linux world.

This virtual social event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Linux enthusiasts, learn, and have fun!Hope to see you all there!

📆 Aug 5, 2026🕦 7-9 PM📍Virtual Event via Discord🎟️ RSVP Below💬 Interest Group: LUG

Accessibility Group
2026-08-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

In this second meeting of Hackforge’s Accessibility group, we’ll be taking the prototype of Jason’s current navigation app and putting it to the test. We welcome Accessibility Communication Specialist David Best (davidbest.ca), who will be live demoing and providing feedback on existing apps.

The main focus will be on usability research for the mobile navigation app, and there is a good chance we will end up venturing outside. Please come prepared for this quest.

If time allows, we’ll discuss the overall project plan so we can point ourselves towards the next steps and how we want to move forward.

During the session, we will:

Focus on usability research for the mobile navigation app

David will provide demos of other navigation apps

Understand what users need, rather than making assumptions

Venture outside for testing

Who Should Attend?

Potential users of the app

App Developers & Designers

Assistive Tech Enthusiasts

📆 August 4, 2026🕦 6-7:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)🎟️ RSVP Below💬 Interest Group: Accessibility

Headshots for Hackforge: A Community Fundraiser
2026-07-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

We’ve all been there: you look at your professional profile picture and realize it’s a decade old. Booking a real photoshoot costs time and money most of us don’t have (especially now that Sears is gone).

So Hackforge is fixing that for a day.

On Sunday, July 26th, we’re hosting a day of first-come, first-served micro headshot sessions. To keep high-quality images accessible to everyone, this event is pay-what-you-can. All proceeds directly support Hackforge’s free community programming!

How it works:

First-Come, First-Served: No pre-booking required. Just show up and sign in when you arrive!

10-Minute Sessions: Fast, efficient, and stress-free micro-sessions to get you on your way.

Come Photo-Ready: We won’t have wardrobe, makeup, or hair stylists on-site, so dress to impress.

Professional Retouching: Your edited digital images will be emailed to you within a couple of weeks.

Pay What You Can: We suggest a donation of $20 – $25, but we won’t be keeping track of individual amounts. Give what you can!

Meet the Photographer:

Photos will be taken by Lauren Hedges, a photographer with 15 years of experience shooting portraits, live events, and street photography. Check out her current project @dogsofdwfm on instagram, or visit her beautifully neglected website www.LaurenHedges.com.

📆 Sunday, July 26, 2026🕦 11 AM – 4 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎟️ RSVP Below

Bash Basics
2026-07-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

At this month’s Linux User Group event we’ll be diving into Bash, the Bourne Again SHell.

We’ll be covering the basics of creating bash scripts, bash specific syntax, environment variables, and various commands.

Having some knowledge/experience with using the command line and programming is not strictly required in order to understand the material.

All the scripts and examples will be available, so if you would like to follow along during the presentation, you’ll need to have Podman or Docker Desktop installed on your system.

📆 July 23🕦 7-9 PM📍Hybrid (Hackforge HQ @ 300 Ouellette, Unit 210 & Online via Zoom)💬 Interest Group: LUG🎟️ RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP in Person Below

WCCUG: C++101
2026-07-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

Explore the world of one of the most popular programming languages: C++!

WCCUG invites YOU out this month to join us in going back to basics. Code along with Interest Group Lead Bryan St. Amour, as he live-codes and guides you through the trials and tribulations of solidifying the first bricks in the foundation of this toolbox.

This event will be a code-along style event. If you do not wish to code-along, notes will be available for you to complete the exercises at your leisure.

Before you know it, you’ll be whispering “Hello World” into the matrix!

What you’ll learn:

Basic Syntax and Structure

Variables and Data Types

Basic Command Line usage

Please bring a laptop with a compiler installed and a way to type code.

No experience necessary, but an interest and basic understanding of coding is recommended

📆 July 16🕦 7-9 PM📍Hybrid (Hackforge HQ @ 300 Ouellette, Unit 210 & Online via Zoom)💬 Interest Group: WCCUG🎟️ RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP in Person Below

Virtual Accessibility Meetup
2026-07-07 18:00 - 19:00 | ON
📍 Online Via Zoom💻 Virtual Only 💲 Free

We’ve unofficially been meeting for years, but we’ve finally decided to make it real! Hackforge now has an interest group focused specifically on the intersection of technology and accessibility.

Please join us for our first ✨official✨ event where we’ll discuss:

why we’ve decided to become official

how we’re going to work together

what we plan on doing next

The goal of this group is to share knowledge and ensure technology is inclusive and built for everyone. All are welcome! Moving forward, we’ll be meeting on the first Tuesday of every month.

📆 Tuesday, July 7th, 2026🕦 6 – 7 PM📍Virtual via Zoom (RSVP to receive the link)

LUG JULY Social
2026-07-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍Discord💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Come join us as we nerd out about Linux at this month’s Hackforge Linux User Group Virtual Social!

What to Expect:

Help with Problems: Bring your Linux-related queries and let our community experts assist you in finding solutions.

Current Events Discussion: Stay updated and engage in discussions about the latest happenings in the Linux world.

This virtual social event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Linux enthusiasts, learn, and have fun!

Hope to see you all there!

📆 Date: June 4, 2026🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord💬 Interest Group: LUG

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

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

WCCUG - Group Project
2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

Join us for our first Group Project Work Session!

At our Project Kickoff session, we chose to build a Paint application, and now it’s time to bring it to life together. This session is where ideas start turning into real code, features, and collaboration.

If you’re looking to build a fun project with an awesome group of people passionate about C and C++, this is the perfect opportunity to jump in, contribute, and learn alongside others in a supportive environment.

What you’ll take away:

Hands-on experience working on a real collaborative C/C++ project

Better understanding of project structure, teamwork, and version control workflows

Practical programming skills by building features together in a live session

Who should attend:

Students who want more real-world coding experience

Beginners looking to learn C/C++ in a welcoming environment

Experienced programmers interested in collaborating, mentoring, or building something cool

No matter your experience level, there’s a place for you on the team. Come build, learn, and create with us!

📆 June 18🕦 7-9 PM📍Hybrid: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Suite 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️ RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP in Person Below

Data Literacy for Admins
2026-06-12 12:00 - 12:45 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

It’s a different type of Border City Data event! Join Doug Sartori (Canadian Open Data Society President, Parallel 42 Systems) & Dr. Jessica Sartori (President & Principal Consultant at West 83 and former public sector CEO), for Data Literacy for Admins. Learn how to turn everyday information into actionable insights, support your team more effectively, and make smarter, data-informed decisions in your role.

When used appropriately, data can be a powerful tool for your organization.

Who should attend?

This session is open to anyone who is interested in increasing their data literacy, but especially those in administrative and not-for-profit roles.

What should you bring?

A laptop to follow along (we’ll have a few available for loaning during the event if needed).

📆 June 12, 2026🕦12-12:45pm📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️ RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP in Person Below

Linux Command Line
2026-06-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

In this session of LUG, we will go over the Linux command line as well as some other essential & day-to-day commands.

Whether you’re a more experienced user or just getting started, this session will help Linux users improve their experience by further exploring the command line interface (CLI).

What to Bring:

If you’d like to follow along, a Laptop with Docker or Podman installed is all you’ll need. We look forward to gathering with fellow Linux enthusiasts!

📆 Thursday, June 11, 2026🕦 7-9 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️ RSVP & More Info at www.hackf.org/events

LUG June Social
2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍Discord💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Come join us as we nerd out about Linux at this month’s Hackforge Linux User Group Virtual Social!

What to Expect:

Help with Problems: Bring your Linux-related queries and let our community experts assist you in finding solutions.

Current Events Discussion: Stay updated and engage in discussions about the latest happenings in the Linux world.

This virtual social event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Linux enthusiasts, learn, and have fun!

Hope to see you all there!

📆 Date: June 4, 2026🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

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

Accessible City: an inclusive round table discussion on city services
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

More Info Coming Soon!

📆 May 28, 2026🕦 6:00pm – 8:00pm📍Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West & Online via Zoom📩 RSVP for Zoom Here👥 RSVP for In Person Below

Here’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.

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 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.

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)

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)

Linux Command Line
2026-05-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

The latest installment of WCCUG will kick off with a 30-minute group brainstorming session, where we’ll collaborate on ideas and directions for our first group project. This will In this session of LUG, we will go over the Linux command line as well as some other essential & day-to-day commands.

Whether you’re a more experienced user or just getting started, this session will help Linux users improve their experience by further exploring the command line interface (CLI).

What to Bring:

If you’d like to follow along, a Laptop with Docker or Podman installed is all you’ll need. We look forward to gathering with fellow Linux enthusiasts!

📆 Thursday, May 14, 2026🕦 7-9 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️ RSVP In-Person Below🖵 RSVP for Zoom Here

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)

LUG MAY Social
2026-05-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍Discord💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Come join us as we nerd out about Linux at this month’s Hackforge Linux User Group Virtual Social!

What to Expect:

Help with Problems: Bring your Linux-related queries and let our community experts assist you in finding solutions.

Current Events Discussion: Stay updated and engage in discussions about the latest happenings in the Linux world.

This virtual social event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Linux enthusiasts, learn, and have fun!

Hope to see you all there!

📆 Date: May 7, 2026🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

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!

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

Group Project Kickoff & How to Compile your 1st project
2026-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online Via Zoom💻👥Hybrid💲 Free

The latest installment of WCCUG will kick off with a 30-minute group brainstorming session, where we’ll collaborate on ideas and directions for our first group project. This will be followed by a one-hour optional workshop on how to compile your first project (perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a refresher). Participants who prefer can use this time to begin working on the project independently. We’ll wrap up with a 30-minute closing session to share progress, discuss challenges, and outline next steps.

What to Bring

Please bring your own laptop if possible. A limited number of spare laptops will be available, if you need one, please email us ahead of time at bolt@hackf.org so we can reserve it for you.

What You’ll Walk Away With

A clear understanding of how to compile and run your first project

Hands-on experience starting and working through a real project

New ideas and insights from collaborative brainstorming and peer discussion

RSVP Required

Please make sure to RSVP in advance using the provided website. This helps us plan resources, seating, and equipment to ensure the best experience for everyone.

📆 March 19,2026🕦 7-9 PM📍In-person at Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️ RSVP Below for In-Person & via Zoom for Virtual

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)

LUG April Social
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍Discord💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Come join us as we nerd out about Linux at this month’s Hackforge Linux User Group Virtual Social!

What to Expect:

Help with Problems: Bring your Linux-related queries and let our community experts assist you in finding solutions.

Current Events Discussion: Stay updated and engage in discussions about the latest happenings in the Linux world.

This virtual social event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Linux enthusiasts, learn, and have fun!

Hope to see you all there!

📆 Date: April 9, 2026🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord
