Windsor Hackforge

A.I. for administrators
2025-08-25 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Toronto) | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Curious about AI but not sure where to start? This 90-minute session is designed for administrators with little to no technical background – or anyone else interested in the absolute basics of Artificial Intelligence!

We’ll break down what AI really is, show practical examples of how it can support your daily workflow, and share tips for using it safely and effectively. From drafting emails to summarizing meetings, you’ll learn how to make AI work for you—without the jargon or overwhelm. Walk away with simple strategies, tool comparisons, and the confidence to explore AI in your own role.

Bring your questions and laptops! Attendees will have the opportunity to experiment throughout the session.

📆 Monday, August 25🕦 5:30 – 7PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) 7 Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

LUG: Intro to Containers with Docker
2025-08-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Learn about the technology and techniques that have changed the landscape of modern development. Docker pioneered container management, a concept that has since morphed into its own standard.

The information available in this session will be applicable to Docker and Podman – which is a free, open source alternative to Docker.

You’ll also learn container basics – what containers are, how to run them, what images are, and how to make your own.

No previous experience with containerization is required, but knowledge of the command line is needed.

Attendees are encouraged to install Docker Desktop or Podman Desktop in advance of the event. This will allow you to follow along and explore the systems as you learn about them.

While this event is being hosted by our Linux Users’ Group, those using Windows and Mac are also encouraged to attend. The content aims to cover the differences in platforms as much as possible.

Bring your projects and questions! The first hour of the event will be a knowledge dump, while the second hour will focus on creating your own image and using Docker Compose.

📆 Tuesday, August 12🕦7-9 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) 7 Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

Legacy Beacon Mapping
2025-08-05 17:30 - 20:30 | Ontario
📍 Legacy Beacon (780 Riverside Dr W) & Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Recent changes at Windsor’s riverfront have yet to be replicated in OSM, so we’re scheduling some time to get it done! Join OpenStreetMap Windsor-Essex on Tuesday, August 5th for a hands-on learning opportunity that will add pathway and landscape changes for the Legacy Beacon to OSM. Attendees will learn how to collect geodata and how to contribute to OSM. All levels of experience and technical acumen are welcome!

This event will take place in TWO PARTS. Join for one or both!

Part I:

Location: Legacy Beacon (780 Riverside Dr W)Time: 5:30 – 6:30 PMActivity: Record GPX traces of the area, noting the location of paths and other amenities. Bring your data-enabled mobile device with a GPS recording app installed (E.g. GPS Logger for Android, myTracks on iOS). Alternatively, you can go the low-tech route and bring a notebook and pen! Both methods will allow you to collect data that can later be added to OSM. Once everyone is on-site, and before we start data collection, the group will coordinate who is recording what data. This will help to make sure we have complete coverage, and that everyone’s work will be included in the final changes.

Walk back to Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210). This is a walk of roughly 1km that takes about 15 minutes.

Part II:

Location: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, unit 210)Time: 7 – 8:30 PMActivity: Transferring collected data to OpenStreetMap. Using desktop and browser tools such as JOSM and iD Editor, we’ll learn how to turn our GPX files and handwritten notes into OSM-compatible data. We’ll also have the chance to see how outdated information (like the old playground) can be changed or removed to better represent the current state of things. Attendees can bring in their own laptop for this part, or they can use one of Hackforge’s house machines.

Recommendation! Join the Hackforge Discord to keep in touch with the group through the #openstreetmap-windsor-essex channel. This will be the best way to get updates on where we are at any given time (while we’ll do our best, it’s not completely impossible that we’ll arrive back at HQ a bit after 7pm). This is also a great way to ask questions ahead of time!

📆 Tuesday, August 5th🕦5:30 – 8:30 PM📍Legacy Beacon (780 Riverside Dr W) and Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)

Data Analysis with SQL: A Resume- worthy Portfolio Project
2025-07-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

In this hands-on, resume-worthy Portfolio project, Rashmi Krishnamohan (Data Analyst; UWin alumni) will help you turn your SQL knowledge into practical, career-building experience. Together, we’ll explore how data analysis works in real-world contexts. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up, this session offers valuable tools you can apply right away.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

1. How to analyze real-world datasets for meaningful insights.2. How to apply their SQL skills to a guided project that can be included in their resume or portfolio3. How to identify and create key performance indicators (KPIs)

⚠️You’ll Need:

Basic SQL skills & Data analysis skills

Computer with SQL Server installed

📆 July 28, 2025🕦 6:00 – 7:30 PM📍 Virtual via Zoom🎟️ Register here

LUG July Social
2025-07-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, 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: Wednesday, July 23, 2025🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

Open Data Pub Night
2025-07-18 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

Border City Data Pub Night

Come hang out with Hackforge and the Canadian Open Data Society (CODS) for a relaxed evening of conversation, community, and craft beer!

We’re meeting up at Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar on July 18 for a fun and friendly chat about all things open data — how it supports Canada’s tech scene, what CODS is all about, and why it matters to our communities.

Whether you’re deep into data or just curious, everyone’s welcome! Expect good vibes, semi-structured convos, and a great chance to connect with fellow tech + data folks.

📆 Friday, July 18, 2025🕦 6-8pm📍 Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar (494 Pelissier St in Windsor)

Please note that this is an in-person only event!

OSM Field Mapping: Via Italia
2025-07-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Ontario
📍 980 Louis Ave (Corner of Louis and Erie), in front of St. Angela Merici Church👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Join us for a community field mapping event where we will use the Every Door and StreetComplete apps to enhance OpenStreetMap! Whether you’re a seasoned mapper or a beginner, this event is a great opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s most comprehensive open-source maps.

Meet in front of St. Angela Merici church, and together we’ll explore Via Italia, using these intuitive tools to add and update information on local businesses, amenities, street details, and more.

Help us improve the accuracy and richness of OpenStreetMap while exploring and documenting Windsor’s Little Italy. No previous experience with OSM, geodata, or mapping required – just bring your data-enabled smart device, walking shoes, and sense of adventure! (and maybe a water bottle)

📅 Wednesday, July 16th📍 980 Louis Ave (Corner of Louis and Erie), in front of St. Angela Merici Church⌚ 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box below

Want to prep early? Start with these steps:

create an account at osm.org

download StreetComplete (Android-only)

AND/OR

download Every Door (Android and iOS)

log in to your chosen app using your OSM account

LUG June Social
2025-06-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, 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: Wednesday, June 25, 2025🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

TG-ID.ca in Windsor
2025-06-21 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

Changing your name or gender marker can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for a special in-person event with the creator of TG-ID.ca, a free web app designed to make the legal ID change process in Ontario clearer and more accessible.

This event is a chance to learn more about the app, hear the story behind its creation, and connect with others navigating similar journeys, while also learning about the process of name and gender marker changes in Ontario! Whether you’re just starting or already partway through the process, you’ll walk away with helpful tools, tips, and community support.

📅 Saturday, June 21, 2025⌚ 6:30 – 8:30 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎫 RSVP below

Annual General Meeting
2025-06-17 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

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an essential part of every non-profit organization. It offers members a chance to hear updates on recent activities, gain insight into what’s been happening behind the scenes, and learn about plans for the future.

This year, Hackforge’s AGM will be taking place in person on Tuesday, June 17th, from 6 – 8PM at Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210).

To be eligible to vote at the AGM, you must have made a meaningful contribution to Hackforge within the past 12 months. This includes activities such as hosting an event or volunteering in any capacity. Please note that simply attending events does not qualify for voting membership. The list of current members can be found on our website.

📅 Tuesday, June 17th⌚ 6 – 8 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)

Build a Machine Learning Prediction Model
2025-06-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

📊 Build a Machine Learning Prediction Model – Hands-On Virtual Workshop

Ready to take your data science game to the next level? Join us for a hands-on portfolio project where you’ll walk through the full process of building a Machine Learning Prediction Model with Rashmi Krishnamohan (Data Analyst; UWin Alumni) — from raw data to model deployment prep!

This interactive virtual workshop is perfect for those who are data-curious, passionate about data science, and have basic Python skills.

What you’ll learn:

🔍 How to collect real-world datasets from Kaggle📈 Perform Exploratory Data Analysis using popular Python libraries✂️ Split data for training and testing🤖 Build and evaluate a Machine Learning model for prediction

⚠️Before the session:Make sure you have Jupyter Notebooks installed with the following libraries:numpy, pandas, matplotlib, scikit-learn

Let’s turn your curiosity into a portfolio-worthy project!

📆 June 16, 2025🕦 6-8PM📍 Virtual event on Zoom🎟️Register here

AI Gets Context: Integrating Model Context Protocol Servers Into Open WebUI
2025-06-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Tired of hallucinations? Want your local LLM to know the date, access Wikipedia or get the latest sports scores? MCP has you covered.

Join Doug Sartori (Hackforge, Parallel 42) in this live demonstration and discussion.

MCP is an open standard for providing tools to Large Language Models. Doug Sartori explains how to get an MCP proxy set up with OpenWebUI and demonstrates the potential and the pitfalls of this technology

📆 June 11, 2025🕦 7-8:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎫 RSVP for In-Person below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

Pedal Poll
2025-06-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Ontario
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

oin Windsor Hackforge in contributing to citizen science during Vélo Canada Bikes’ 2025 Pedal Poll! On Tuesday, June 3rd from 4–6 PM, we’ll be counting cyclists from our HQ on Ouellette Avenue, and you’re invited to be part of it.

The Pedal Poll is a nationwide crowd-sourced data collection effort that helps build a clearer picture of who is biking where in Canada. In 2024, volunteers counted 47,064 people on bicycles across the country—including 38 in Windsor. We know that this number isn’t truly indicative of our local cyclists, though!

With more people counting at more times and in more locations, we can improve Windsor’s contribution and provide a more complete picture of cycling in our community.

So stop by to count with us, or sign up for your own shift! If you choose Ouellette Ave as your location and would like to count from Hackforge, send an email to info@hackf.org to arrange the details.

By participating, you’re helping create better, more equitable cycling infrastructure through real, local data.

📆 Monday, June 3rd🕦 4 – 6 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎫 Email info@hackf.org to register

Disability Pride: Informed and Committed Actions Towards Undoing Ableism
2025-05-31 15:00 - 17:00 | Ontario
📍 Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (1100 University Ave W, Windsor)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Join us on Saturday, May 31st for a thoughtful and engaging solo workshop that explores how we can build more inclusive and compassionate communities.

Facilitator Evelina Baczewska offers a space to reflect on the ways our experiences, identities, and systems intersect — and how we can support belonging, dignity, and shared responsibility in our communities.

This session is designed for community leaders, educators, advocates, and anyone interested in fostering deeper understanding and more meaningful inclusion. Through personal stories, guided reflection, and collaborative discussion, we’ll explore how to move beyond surface-level inclusion and toward practices that truly support equity and connection.

Together, we’ll imagine what a more just and welcoming community can look like — and how each of us can be part of that change.

Learn more about Evelina and her work on her website.

📆 Saturday, May 31st🕦 3 – 5 PM📍Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (1100 University Ave W, Windsor)🎫 RSVP below

Equitable AI: Designing for Inclusive Access
2025-05-30 11:00 - 12:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Join us for an engaging and interactive conversation with Dr. Jutta Treviranus, Director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University and a global leader in digital inclusion. As part of Hackforge’s National AccessAbility Week programming, this session will explore how artificial intelligence can both empower and marginalize — and why equity, accessibility, and responsible design must guide the future of AI systems.

Drawing from her leadership in developing the Accessible and Equitable AI Technical Guide and international standards, Dr. Treviranus will share insights into current and emerging risks, strategies to safeguard diverse users, and the process behind shaping inclusive global guidelines. Whether you’re designing AI tools, implementing accessible technologies, or simply interested in the intersection of ethics, tech, and inclusion, this event is for you.

Expect a lively blend of presentation and discussion, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and engage directly. This free event will be hosted live on Zoom and is open to all professionals, practitioners, and community members passionate about building an equitable digital future.

📆 Friday, May 30th🕦 11AM – 12:30 PM📍 Virtual – Register via ZoomAs a primer to this event, we suggest attending the Accessible and Equitable AI Standard Group Review, happening on Thursday afternoon

Government of Canada Accessible & Equitable AI Standard: Group Review
2025-05-29 15:30 - 17:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) develops national accessibility standards to help build a barrier-free Canada — by and for people with disabilities. As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly evolves, ASC is working to ensure accessibility and equity are built into these emerging technologies.

In May 2024, ASC released a technical guide on accessible and equitable AI, and a draft standard is now available for public review. The final standard is expected to be published in winter 2026. While these standards will be mandatory for federally regulated organizations (like banks, air travel, and Canada Post), all AI developers can benefit from aligning their work with them.

At Hackforge, we’re curious: How can we assess the accessibility of AI systems? And more importantly, how can we ensure the systems we build are equitable and inclusive? We’re diving into the documents to find out — and we’d love for you to join us.

On Thursday, May 29 from 3:30 to 5 PM EDT, join Saamer Mansoor, creator of BeAware Deaf Assistant, for an overview of the draft standard and a discussion on what it means for developers. Come to explore highlights of the standard, ask questions, and take part in conversations at the intersection of artificial intelligence, accessibility, and equity.

This session leads into Friday’s event, where Dr. Jutta Treviranus — chair of the Technical Committee on Accessible and Equitable AI Systems — will offer a free online talk for the Hackforge community.

📆 Thursday, May 29th🕦 3:30 – 5PM📍 Virtual – Register via Zoom

Labour Market Interventions Roundtable
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

For this year’s National AccessAbility Week programming, Hackforge is teaming up with some brand new partners! During this special event, we’ll be exploring how we can increase connections between people with disabilities and opportunities in the Canadian tech ecosystem.

Join us on Wednesday, May 28th for a free lunchtime round table featuring representatives from:

Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities https://asecommunityfoundation.com/

SETSI (Social Economy Through Social Inclusion) https://www.setsi.ca/Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR) https://ccndr.ca/This is a virtual event that will be held over Zoom. Please email MAAT@setsi.ca to register

📆 Wednesday, May 28th🕦 12 – 1 PM EDT📍 Virtual – Register by emailing MAAT@setsi.ca

Accessible Reading Technology: Where We Are and Where We're Going
2025-05-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Join us for an engaging virtual session during National Accessibility Week, featuring Ioana Gandrabur, Peer Trainer with the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA). Focused on accessible reading technologies, this session will explore:

⭢ CELA’s services for people with print disabilities – who can access them and how to get started⭢ What accessible contents does CELA offer and how are these made available?⭢ The current and future state of accessible reading tech

Whether you’re a community member, accessibility professional, or content creator interested in accessible publishing, this free event offers valuable insights, practical resources, and time for open discussion.

📆 Tuesday, May 27th🕦 6 – 8PM📍 Virtual – Register via Zoom

Learn more about CELA on their website.

Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All
2025-05-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Windsor is a city with immense potential — yet it continues to face deep-rooted challenges, including the highest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities and persistently high poverty rates that disproportionately affect people with disabilities, racialized communities, and children.

As part of National AccessAbility Awareness Week, Forward Together invites changemakers to reimagine Windsor’s future through the lens of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. This event explores the systemic barriers that limit community engagement and economic participation, and offers bold, practical strategies to transition from symbolic inclusion to true belonging, dignity, and justice.

Hosted by David Best of BEST Accessibility Consulting, this free, one-hour session will examine the global and local forces shaping Windsor’s path forward, and offer innovative approaches that will empower every citizen to thrive.

Let’s move beyond awareness — let’s lead with action.

📆 Date: May 26, 2025🕦Time: 6pm-7:30pm📍Location: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

LUG Virtual Social
2025-05-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, 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: Thursday, May 22nd🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

Analyzing Canadian Elections - Border City Data
2025-05-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

In this event for experienced data practitioners, Doug Sartori covers the nuts and bolts of Canadian election data, and demonstrates a technique for fine-grained evaluation of election results across elections, accounting for unstable geography and identifiers.

📆 Date: May 20, 2025🕦Time: 6pm-8pm📍Location: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

🎉 Linux Install Party 🎉
2025-05-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Ontario
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

This month, LUG will be hosting a Linux install party. 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.

📆 Date: Wednesday, May 14th🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 In-Person Event: 300 Ouellette Ave. Unit 210🎫 RSVP below!

Home Lab Infrastructure Swap Meet
2025-04-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Windsor-Essex tech enthusiasts, IT pros, and eco-conscious innovators are invited to join us for a community-driven Swap Meet! Dedicated to network infrastructure equipment, this free, public event is a great way to clear out your closet and desk. Bring your routers, servers, switches, cables, or hardware to trade, and discover the gear you need to power up your own projects!

Whether you’re downsizing a data center, hunting for affordable upgrades, or aiming to reduce e-waste, this is your chance to connect with fellow techies, share expertise, and give old equipment new life.

What’s in it for you?

✅ Save money by swapping instead of buying new.✅ Reduce landfill waste by recycling or rehoming gear.✅ Network with industry pros and hobbyists.

📆 Wednesday, April 30th🕦 6 – 8 PM📍 Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)

Earth Day Field Mapping
2025-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Ontario
📍 Gateway Park (meet at the corner of Riverside and Cameron)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Join us on April 22, 2025, for a hands-on Field Mapping Event in Gateway Park! No mapping experience? No problem! We’ll guide you through the process of improving local maps using simple mobile apps and OpenStreetMap.

📱 What You Need:✅ A smartphone with a data plan✅ A free OpenStreetMap account✅ The StreetComplete or Every Door app

🌿 Explore your community, contribute to open geodata, and help make Windsor’s maps more detailed and accessible—all while enjoying the fresh air on Earth Day!

📆 Tuesday, April 22, 2025🕦 6 – 8 PM📍 Gateway Park, Riverside entrance (Corner of Cameron Ave and Riverside Dr)

Please note that in the event of inclement weather, this event may be postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled. RSVP to ensure you receive all communications about changes to the event details.

Casual Digital Cartography
2025-04-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Join Doug Sartori for a demonstration of digital cartography techniques for regular people. He’ll show you how to make digital map data from satellite photos and visualize a map from the data you made. Bring your laptop and pre-install QGIS if you want to work along with Doug.

Register below to attend in-person, or sign up via Zoom to tune in online.

📆Tuesday, April 8th, 2025🕦6PM-8PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online

SQL Interview Prep
2025-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Zoom💻Virtual Only💲 Free

🔍 SQL Interview Questions – Crack the Code!

🚀 Border City Data presents an exclusive SQL Interview Prep session!Are you a data graduate or aspiring data professional gearing up for SQL interviews? This virtual workshop, presented by Rashmi Krishnamohan (Experienced Data Analyst & UWin Alumni) will help you tackle medium and hard SQL questions, the kind that interviewers love to throw at candidates.

🎓 Prerequisites:

Basic SQL skills & interest in data roles

A working SQL IDE (such as SQL Server Management Studio with the necessary drivers) installed prior to the event

📌 What you’ll learn:✅ Strategies to solve complex SQL problems✅ Common patterns and pitfalls in SQL interviews✅ Tips to think like an interviewer and optimize your queries

📆 Date: Monday, March 31🕦 Time: 6pm-8pm (EST) 📍 Virtual Event via Zoom

AWS user Group - March Meetup
2025-03-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Join us for the Windsor AWS User Group Meetup on Tuesday, March 26, at 6:30 PM, hosted at Hackforge!

Whether you’re new to AWS or looking to advance your skills, this session will provide valuable insights and guidance. Come ready to learn, share your experiences, and network with fellow cloud enthusiasts, developers, and architects in Windsor’s tech community.

This month, we’ll explore:✅ The path to becoming a cloud expert ✅ AWS certifications✅ How to prepare for certification✅ Certification’s impact on your cloud career

📆 Date: March 26🕦 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM📍Location: Hackforge HQ & Online via Zoom✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

Introduction to Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA)
2025-03-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

The web should be accessible to everyone—but many digital experiences still leave users with disabilities behind. This hands-on event will introduce essential web accessibility techniques, helping developers, designers, and content creators build inclusive websites that meet W3C-WCAG 2.2 standards. Led by David Best and Jason Pomerleau (President of ELEV8 WEB STUDIO), this session will provide practical skills to make your websites keyboard-friendly, screen reader-compatible, and legally compliant.

Who Should Attend?

This event is ideal for web content authors, visual designers, computer science students, front-end developers looking to improve their skills, and web studios wanting to stand out from the competition.

What You’ll Learn

✅ How assistive technologies interact with websites✅ Coding ARIA states, roles, and properties✅ Techniques for keyboard-friendly navigation✅ Best practices for accessible interface design✅ How to achieve W3C-WCAG 2.2 compliance

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

What You’ll Need

Laptop or mobile device

Screen reader & keyboard (Screen Readers come loaded on most devices)

Development environment (e.g., CodePen)

Event Details

📆 Date: March 20🕦 Time: 6-8pm📍Location: Hackforge HQ & Online via Zoom✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

This event is sponsored by ELEV8 WEB STUDIO and aims to empower developers to create a more inclusive web. Students with disabilities are encouraged to attend.

Let’s build a better web—for everyone! 🌍

Extracting OSM Data
2025-03-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

OpenStreetMap Windsor-Essex has spent a ton of time talking about how everyone can add data to OSM, but we’ve never spoken much about how to get that data back out.

So for those of you interested in extracting geodata for analysis, use in your own projects, or a bit of light reading, this is the event for you!

Stop in to this free, 2-hour event for answers to:🌎 What is Overpass Turbo?🌎 What can I legally do with OSM data?🌎 How many parking lots does Windsor have?

Basic knowledge of OSM is recommended, but not required. As long as you can confidently navigate a web-browser and aren’t afraid of new words, you should be able to follow along just fine!📆 Date: Tues., March 18🕦 Time: 6-8 PM (EST)📍Location: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210, Windsor, ON) & Zoom✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

🔗To get a head start, visit this OSM resource

Dodging a Career Bullet: Workshopping the Joel test for 2025
2025-03-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Not all tech jobs are created equal! Before you say “yes” to an offer, do you know what red flags to watch for?

Doug Sartori invites you to a guided group discussion designed for software professionals navigating the job market in 2025. We’ll dive into the Joel Test, a 12-question framework for evaluating software teams, and explore how it holds up in today’s industry.

💡 Whether you’re job hunting or just want to sharpen your hiring instincts, this session will give you the tools to make smarter career choices. Join the discussion and level up your job search!

📌 What You’ll Learn:✅ How to assess a potential employer as a technical resource✅ How to prepare effectively for interviews✅ What to expect from a solid interview loop🔗 Learn more about the Joel Test before the event:

The Original Joel Test (2000)

The Joel Test 20 Years Later

📆 Date: Thurs., March 13🕦 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM (EST)📍Location: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210, Windsor, ON) & Zoom✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom
