Windsor Hackforge

LUG November Social
2025-11-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Toronto) | 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: November 27, 2025🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

Celebrate GIS day!
2025-11-19 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

This event is an official esri GIS Day event! Curious about the spatial side of data science? Announcing the launch of Windsor-Essex GIS (weGIS), a brand-new Hackforge group dedicated to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of geographic information systems! And there’s no better time to kick this thing off than GIS Day (November 19th), a global celebration of GIS as a technology and industry.

Join Theo Walschots on this special day as he goes over a primer on GIS, the goal of Hackforge weGIS, as well as what kind of content and events you can expect in the future. This group is for all experience levels and will aim to be as accessible as possible by leveraging free, open-source software. Please don’t hesitate to come out!

After the debrief there will be time for cake and discussion as we celebrate yet another thriving and successful year in GIS! 🎂🌎Learn more about GIS and GIS Day at www.gisday.com🎂Did we mention there will be cake?

📆 Nov 19🕦 6-8PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

What I Learned Building My Own AI Agent: An Evening with Doug Sartori
2025-11-14 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

Ever wondered what it takes to build your own AI agent from scratch? Join Doug Sartori (Parallel 42 Systems) for a behind-the-scenes look at what he’s learned on his journey creating a fully functional AI assistant using Python.

Key Takeaways:

🔌Connecting your AI to tools☁️Cloud vs. local models for this use case🔒Security and privacy considerations

Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a Python tinkerer, or just curious about the future of personal agents, this talk will give you the insights (and cautionary tales) you need to start your own build.

📆 Nov. 14🕦 6-8PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Suite 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

OpenStreetMap: Note Resolution
2025-11-11 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

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

End of Year Mixer
2025-11-07 20:00 - 22:00 | ekō, 261 Pelissier St, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 4K2, Canada
📍 ekō (261 Pelissier St, Windsor, ON)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Hackforge is closing out the year in style with snacks, stories, and a little bit of geeky fun! Join us for our End-of-Year Mixer as we celebrate all things open source, local tech, and community collaboration.

We’ll be hanging out at ekō, downtown Windsor’s hi-fi high dive, so come on out ready for some fun and friends, both new and old. Expect a laid-back evening filled with good vibes. Whether you joined us for Linux installs, A.I. talks, mapmaking adventures, or glowing art nights, we’re raising a glass to everyone who made this community shine.

We’ll be raffling off some awesome “It Was DNS” 3D-printed signs at 9 PM! Everyone in attendance will get a ticket, totally free! Each ticket includes your name and email, so if you need to leave early, you’ll still be in the running.

This is a 19+ Event.Snacks provided free.Guests are welcome to purchase their own drinks at the bar.

📆 Nov. 7🕦 8PM📍 ekō (261 Pelissier St, Windsor, ON)🎟️ Please RSVP below (drop-in style in effect, but we’re nerds and like to have numbers)💲FREE!

AWS - Modern CDN Wizardry: Mastering the Magic
2025-11-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

🚀 Ready to master the magic of modern content delivery?

Make everything your users touch online from photos to full web apps, APIs, and interactive experiences better, faster, more secure.

Join us on Tuesday, Nov 4 at 6:30 PM at Hackforge HQ & on Zoom for the next Windsor AWS User Group Meetup:

🎩 Modern CDN Wizardry: Mastering the Magic

Get ready to uncover the secrets behind lightning-fast, globally optimized experiences that feel like pure magic.

⭐Deliver massive global static sites at ultra-low cost⚡Accelerate dynamic APIs across continents🧙Secure entire workloads before traffic hits your backend🧙 Add intelligence, personalization, and edge-powered compute that makes apps feel instantly responsive

Whether you build for scale, speed, or security, this session will show you how to turn the edge into your competitive advantage.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, Nov 4⏱️ Time: 6:30 -8 PM📍 Location: Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Suite 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via ZoomSeats fill fast — RSVP today and bring a friend who loves tech!

Come learn, connect, and level up your AWS cloud skills with Windsor’s growing cloud community.

🎁Plus, you will win some exclusive AWS swag just for joining us!

LUG October Social
2025-10-30 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: October 30, 2025🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

OSM State of the Map Recap
2025-10-28 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

State of the Map, often shortened to SotM, is the annual, international OpenStreetMap conference. The 2025 version takes place October 3 – 5 in Manila, Philippines. Hackforge will have on-site representation, and at the end of the month we’ll host a social/information session to go over the conference content.

This hybrid event will be happening on Tuesday, October 28th from 6 – 8 PM. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available!

This year SotM is being offered in a hybrid format, so consider tuning in remotely! There are a ton of topics being covered, and the more people we have checking it out, the more fruitful the conversation will be.

📆 Tuesday, October 28th🕦 6 – 8 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, unit 210), and online via Zoom.🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

Neighbourhood Quest
2025-10-24 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

Forget the Oregon Trail, in this workshop, Doug Sartori (Parallel 42; Mean, Median, and Moose) will show you how to turn Census and OpenStreetMap data into a text-based adventure game set in your own neighbourhood!

With QGIS and open data as your toolkit, you’ll learn how to mash up maps, stats, and storytelling into a ridiculous, one-of-a-kind game that’s uniquely yours.

No experience required, just bring your curiosity (and maybe a wizard hat). Follow along, and by the end, you’ll walk away with a playable game and the skills to keep exploring the wild world of data-driven adventures.

📆 October 24🕦6-8 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

Linux Install Party
2025-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

On October the 14th, Windows 10 will reach its end-of-life. If you have a computer that cannot upgrade to Windows 11, this is the event for you! Breathe life into your old hardware once again with Linux! Members will be available to help guide you through installing Linux and answer any questions.

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.

📆 Tuesday, October 14th🕦 7-9 PM📍 In-Person @ Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette., Unit 210)🎟️ Please RSVP below

LUG September Social
2025-09-24 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, September, 2025🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

Light up Pendant workshop @ Night Light Festival - Day 3
2025-09-20 15:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Art Windsor-Essex (401 Riverside Dr. W, Windsor)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Join us for a fun and family-friendly day at the AWE Night Light Festival’s Light Up Pendant Workshop! The day begins with a low-stimulation hour, designed to provide a welcoming experience for guests who find loud or busy environments overwhelming.

Throughout the day, enjoy family-friendly activities, including a special performance by the WSO Youth Orchestra, engaging kid-focused tours, and a variety of delicious options from outdoor food vendors.

✨ Admission is free, making this the perfect outing for families and community members of all ages!

If you can’t make it on this night, catch the workshop on Sept. 18 or Sept. 19!

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025🕔 3-8PM📍 Art Windsor-Essex (401 Riverside Dr W, Windsor)💲 Free

Software Freedom Day Drop-In
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

🍁💻 Celebrate Software Freedom Day with Hackforge! 💻🍁

Already soaking in the vibes at the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market? Just a block away, the spirit of community continues!

👉 Drop in at Hackforge HQ anytime between 10AM–Noon for a hands-on intro to free software. More than just “computer programs you don’t have to pay for,” we’re focusing on software that anyone can use, share, and improve – all protected by licenses that guarantee these freedoms.

We’ll walk newcomers through what free software is, why it matters, and how it affects everyday life. Live demos will showcase practical alternatives to common proprietary tools, and you’ll take home a pamphlet highlighting free options that keep your digital life in your own hands.

Stop by to connect with others, learn something new, and join conversations about why software freedom matters here in Windsor and beyond.

📅 Friday, September 20⏰ 10AM–Noon (drop-in style)📍 Hackforge HQ (in-person only)

✨ Come curious. Leave empowered.

Light up Pendant workshop @ Night Light Festival - Day 2
2025-09-19 17:00 - 22:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Art Windsor-Essex (401 Riverside Dr. W, Windsor)👥 In Person Only💲 Tickets

🌙 Shine brighter than the dance floor! 🌙

Bring the glow to Night Light’s Friday party! Join Hackforge in creating your own light-up pendant before hitting the installations and music. With easy-to-use materials, you’ll craft a glowing accessory that will keep you lit all night long.

Perfect for beginners, families, or anyone looking to bring a little sparkle to the festival.

If you can’t make it this night, catch the workshop on Sept. 18 or Sept. 20!

📅 Friday, September 19, 2025🕔 5 -10:30PM📍 Art Windsor-Essex (401 Riverside Dr W, Windsor)🔗 Get Tickets

Light up Pendant workshop @ Night Light Festival - Day 1
2025-09-18 16:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Art Windsor-Essex (401 Riverside Dr. W, Windsor)👥 In Person Only💲 Tickets

✨ Craft your own glow at Night Light’s opening night! ✨

Kick off Night Light with Hackforge’s hands-on workshop where you’ll design and build a glowing necklace pendant. Using simple electronics and crafting supplies, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind wearable artwork that lights up the night. We’ll be located inside the festival, so be sure to get your tickets!

Perfect for beginners, families, or anyone looking to bring a little sparkle to the festival.

If you can’t make it on opening night, catch the workshop on Sept. 19 or Sept. 20!

📅 Thursday, September 18, 2025🕔 4-9 PM📍 Art Windsor-Essex (401 Riverside Dr. W, Windsor)🔗 Get Tickets

Adventures in Vibe Coding
2025-09-12 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

Can you really give ChatGPT the wheel and let it write code for you?

Join Doug Sartori for an exploration of 🌈”Vibe Coding”🌈 – the practice of using natural-language LLM prompts to generate software. Step into a world where your words have the power to write software. In this session, we’ll demystify the art of using natural-language prompts to generate code. Imagine just telling the AI what you want, and watch the code appear like magic. 🧙‍♂️

This event is perfect for developers of all levels, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about using ChatGPT to get into coding.

You’ll learn about:✔️ The tools✔️ Techniques✔️ Where it works and where it doesn’t.

📆 September 12🕦 6pm-8pm📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online via Zoom🎟️RSVP for In-Person attendance below💻Register for virtual attendance via Zoom

OpenStreetMap Windsor-Essex Indoor Mapping Party
2025-09-09 17:30 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

After August’s outdoor mapping adventure, we’re keeping things chill — literally — with an indoor mapping night at Hackforge HQ. Join us Tuesday, September 9th, 5:30–8:00 PM for some relaxed OpenStreetMap editing and friendly conversation.

No set theme, no pressure — just a chance to connect with fellow mappers and make the map a little better. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned mapper, you’re welcome here!

We’ll provide:

help from experienced mappers

computers with JOSM installed

air conditioning

a relaxed atmosphere

cookies?

If you bring:

interest in improving local geodata

Sounds like a pretty good deal!

📆 Tuesday, September 9, 2025🕦 5:30 – 8 PM (drop in anytime!)📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)

Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant Tour
2025-09-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Ontario
📍Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant (4155 Ojibway Pkwy, Windsor, ON N9C 4C3)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Ever Wonder Where Your Water Goes?

Every time you flush the toilet, drain the tub, or run the tap, the water starts a journey you rarely get to see. This guided tour of the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant pulls back the curtain on the essential, high-tech process that cleans our community’s wastewater before it returns safely to the environment. From massive settling tanks to advanced filtration systems, you’ll get an up-close look at how Windsor protects public health and the Great Lakes.

What to Expect:

Learn the science behind wastewater treatment

See large-scale equipment in action

Understand how Windsor safeguards its water resources

Important:

Closed-toed shoes are required for safety (no sandals or open footwear permitted).

RSVP is required as space is limited.

📆 Thursday, Sept. 4🕦3:00 PM📍 Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant (4155 Ojibway Pkwy, Windsor, ON N9C 4C3). Enter through Gate 1.🎫 RSVP Below

Board Games Swap & Play
2025-08-29 17:30 - 20:00 | Ontario
📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Ready to refresh your game shelf? Bring your gently-used board games and swap them for something new-to-you at Hackforge’s Board Game Swap & Play! Strategy epics, party favourites, card games, or classics are all welcome – basically, anything that isn’t a PC or console-based video game. This is your chance to discover something different—without spending a dime!

Not sure what to take home? Stick around and try out some of the games on offer! We’ll have tables set up for casual gameplay and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow game lovers.

To make sure everyone gets the most out of the event, there are a few rules we ask everyone to follow:

➡️ no sales – swaps only!➡️ ensure your game is clean and complete – no missing pieces or sticky tokens, please!➡️ all swaps are final – we can’t mediate any mind-changing after the fact

📆 Friday, August 29🕦 5:30 – 8PM📍 Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎫 RSVP Below

LUG: August Social
2025-08-27 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, August 27🕦Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍 Virtual Event on Discord

A.I. for administrators
2025-08-25 17:30 - 19:00 | 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)
