Exploring Peer Mentorship
2024-08-31 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Hackforge’s goal has always been to create connections through, with, and over technology. This has resulted in a diverse group of individuals engaging with our programs, staff, and speakers – which we love! It has also helped us to see trends in the types of questions we’re asked and the stories we hear, which has lead to our newest undertaking: peer mentorship groups.

There are common threads in the Hackforge community that surpass technology. We have folks in similar life stages, people who have the same goals, and those who share a similar background. We see a lot of opportunities for connections based on these commonalities, and want to help you all establish them.

On Saturday, August 31st from 11 AM to 1 PM we’re holding our first exploratory session on this topic. We’ll share ideas for how we believe job seekers can support each other, and ways that established Windsorites can introduce transplants to the culture of our area, but we also want to hear your ideas. What kind of group would you like to be a part of? How would you like to engage with others?

You should attend this event if you’re:

a student

a job seeker

an established professional

a long-time local resident

a new local resident

interested in contributing to a welcoming, supportive community

Please make plans to join us on Saturday, August 31st for this casual, conversational session.

📅Saturday, August 31st

⌚ 11 AM – 1 PM

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box below

Windsor-Detroit's Digital Twin Pt.III
2024-09-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) and Online via Zoom💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

First introduced to us in early 2022, the Digital Twin project of Windsor & Detroit is an initiative to build an advanced urban planning tool that is accessible to the community. Spearheaded by Geopogo Cities, this project looks to create a powerful public tool that combines civic data layers, 3D LiDAR scan data, and SimCity-like features to empower community groups and design visionaries to realize their ideas for what Windsor can become.

Check out the recording from that event on our Youtube page!

Later that year Geopogo Creative Director Mike Hoppe came back to share how the project had evolved. That session was also recorded!

This month Mike is returning once again – and this time in person! In our past events Mike was joining virtually from San Francisco, but this time around he’s in Windsor and will be stopping by Hackforge HQ.

Join us on Monday, September 9th at 6pm to see the newest iteration of Windsor’s Digital Twin. This is a hybrid session, so you can come in person or join us online. As always, everyone is welcome and there is no cost to attend.

📅 Monday, September 9th⌚ 6 – 7:30 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) and Online via Zoom

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

Hackforge AGM
2024-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

The Annual General Meeting is a staple of all non-profit organizations. It provides members with the opportunity to learn about what has been going on behind the scenes and to vote for new board members.

This year Hackforge’s AGM will be taking place on Tuesday, September 10th, beginning at 6:30 PM. It will be in-person only, and will be held at Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210).

To qualify as a voting member of Hackforge, you must have made a meaningful contribution to the organization within the last 12 months. This includes hosting an event and volunteering in any capacity. Attendance at an event is not sufficient to achieve membership status. The list of current members is available online.

📅 Tuesday, September 10th⌚ 6:30 PMRegister to attend In-Person in the RSVP box below.

🎉 Hackforge Linux User Group Virtual Social 🎉
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Discord
📍 Hackforge Discord Server💻 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.➡️ Show & Tell: Attendees will have the opportunity to talk about tools/programs that they find interesting or help increase their productivity.

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

Hope to see you all there!

📅 Thursday, September 12th⌚ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EDT)‼RSVP via Discord to join

Open Data Pub Night
2024-09-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar, 494 Pelissier St, Windsor, ON, N9A4K9, Canada
📍 Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar (494 Pelissier St)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

After August’s Project Management Pub Night we heard feedback that you’d all like to do that again. So we’re doing it again!

This month the focus of conversation will be Open Data, but just like last time, everyone (who is 19+) is welcome. Whether you’re an experienced Data Analyst or only interact with the data from your smart watch, we want you to come out!

Find us at Maiden Lane in Downtown Windsor from 6 – 8 PM on Friday, September 13th. This event is casual, so feel free to drop in for a single drink or stay the whole time. There’s no cost to attend, but everyone is responsible for their own tab.

📅 Friday, September 13th, 2024⌚ 6 – 8 PM📍 Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar (494 Pelissier St)

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box below

Rescheduled: Machine Learning Project: Titanic Dataset
2024-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Location Name (Location Address)💻 Virtual Only OR 👥 In Person Only OR 💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

The Titanic disaster of 1912 is one of the most infamous shipwrecks in history, and it has been the subject of countless studies and analyses. In this event, we will use the Titanic dataset to demonstrate fundamental data analysis techniques using Python. Participants will learn how to handle, analyze, and visualize data using powerful libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib, all within the user-friendly environment of Google Colab.

This session is perfect for anyone interested in learning how to leverage Python for data science, whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills.

Key Takeaways:

Data Exploration: Understand the structure and content of the Titanic dataset.

Data Cleaning: Learn how to handle missing values and clean the data for analysis.

Data Visualization: Create insightful visualizations to uncover patterns and insights.

Statistical Analysis: Perform basic statistical analysis to interpret the data.

Machine Learning: Build a simple predictive model to determine survival outcomes.

Technology Used:

Google Colab: An online platform that allows you to write and execute Python code in your browser, making it easy to collaborate and share your work.

Python Libraries:

Pandas: For data manipulation and analysis.

NumPy: For numerical operations.

Matplotlib: For data visualization.

Seaborn: For enhanced statistical graphics.

Scikit-learn: For building predictive models.

Who Should Attend:

Students and professionals interested in data science and Python programming.

Beginners looking to get started with data analysis.

Anyone curious about the Titanic dataset and its applications in data science.

Prerequisites:

Basic understanding of Python programming.

No prior experience with data analysis or machine learning is required.

📅 Monday, September 16th⌚ 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

WindsorEssexCycling V2 Launch
2024-09-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette AVe, Unit 210) and Online via Zoom 💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

In 2022 Windsor Hackforge began an initiative to connect the local tech and cycling communities. In partnership with The City of Windsor, The County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), and Parallel 42 Systems, we launched a beta version of WindsorEssexCycling.ca. This free to use, no account required web app offered cycling routes that took into consideration road conditions such as speed limit, surface quality, bike lane presence, and general traffic levels.

Built by community members, this version served as a proof-of-concept, and gave users something to test and provide feedback on.

With that feedback and contributions from even more community members, we’ve developed WindsorEssexCycling.ca Version 2.

Using the same principles as the original, V2 offers a better UI as well as turn-by-turn directions. Routing improvements are a never-ending endeavour, with updates coming through as our OpenStreetMap team incrementally improves the underlying data.

On Thursday, September 19th we’re celebrating the official launch of WindsorEssexCycling.ca V2 with an event at our HQ in Downtown Windsor, and online via Zoom. Developer Haley Tibbits will be on hand to discuss some of her work, and members of our OSM team will be present to talk about routing. We’ll also share some details about our future plans for the app, and how you can get involved!

📅 Thursday, September 19th⌚ Time 6 – 7:30 PMRegister to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

Open Streets Windsor 2024
2024-09-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Drouillard Road, 1024 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON, N8W 3X5, Canada
📍 Drouillard Road👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

This Sunday, September 22, Hackforge will once again be participating in Open Streets Windsor! This year we’ll be set up in Ford City, at roughly 1024 Drouillard Road (just south of Whelpton St).

For this year’s activity we’ll be introducing visitors to MotorCityMurals.tours, a web app released earlier this year. Focused on local street art, this no cost, no download, no sign up app will guide users from mural to mural throughout the city. With some of the densest availability of outdoor art, Ford City is a great place to test out the app.

We’ll also be running short tours every 30 minutes starting at 10:30 am! We’ll be helping walkers to learn the app, and guiding those without phones or data plans to some of the more hidden pieces in the area.

Make sure to stop in and say hi as you walk and wheel your way across Windsor!

📅 Sunday, September 22⌚ 10 AM – 2 PM📍 Drouillard Road

Linux Users Group: 🎉 Introduction to Automation with Ansible 🎉
2024-09-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

Join us for this month’s LUG meeting, where we’ll dive into the fundamentals of Ansible! This event is ideal for IT professionals, DevOps engineers, system administrators, self-hosted enthusiasts, and anyone eager to learn how Ansible can streamline and elevate your infrastructure management.

What we’ll be covering:

💾What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)💾Basics of Ansible and its architecture💾How to write and run a playbook💾How to manage inventories and secrets💾How to use collections and roles

Don’t miss this chance to explore the world of Ansible and transform your IT management! We look forward to seeing you all there!

📅Date: Wednesday, September 25th🕘Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)📍300 Ouellette Ave. Unit 210

Tech Project Showcase Night
2024-09-26 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

❓Have you built something with technology recently that you’re proud of?❓Are you looking for feedback or help, or interested in collaborating on a side project?❓Are you interested in fostering an open-source community locally?❓Just interested in seeing what others are working on, and chatting about tech?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this event is for you! Join us on Thursday, September 26th for a casual social event at Hackforge HQ focused on sharing tech projects and connecting like-minded people.

Attendees will have the opportunity to demo a project that they’re working on to get feedback, find collaborators, or simply show off! Projects do not have to be complete, complex, or specifically related to software development. Any piece of work that loosely involves tech in some way is fair game! Projects still in the “idea stage” and those involving the arts are also welcome.

If you have a project to share, you’ll get up to 15 minutes to present and answer questions from those in attendance (first come, first served). You can present in any way you like. We will have a projector and speakers available if needed.

📅 Thursday, September 26th⌚ 6 – 8 PM

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box below (Note that your registration is separate from signing up to present. There will be a signup page at the event that will determine presentation order.)

Intro to Data Analysis: Starting with Excel
2024-10-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) and Online 💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Border City Data is beginning a new series, and with a new host!

Join Hackforge Board Member Rashmi Krishnamohan for an introductory session to data analysis. In this free, entry-level workshop participants will learn:

Data Cleaning: Techniques to remove duplicates, handle missing values, and correct data inconsistencies

Data Transformation: Using Excel functions and Power Query to reshape and prepare data for analysis

Dashboard Creation: How to build an interactive data visualization

This event will use Microsoft Excel. Both Excel Online and Desktop versions will work. Other spreadsheet software (such as Google Sheets or Open Office Lists) will not behave exactly as described in the lesson, and Rashmi will not be troubleshooting differences during the session.

If you do not have access to Excel, you can sign up for a free one month trial through Microsoft.

In-person and virtual attendance options are available. Register now to reserve your spot!Sign up to attend in-person using the RSVP box below.Sign up to attend virtually via Zoom.

🗓 Friday, October 4th🕡 6 – 8 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, unit 210) and online via Zoom

This event will be the first in an ongoing Data Analysis series. Stay tuned for more!

Funding, R&D, and other business services for Ontario-based Technology companies
2024-10-09 11:00 - 12:30 | Ontario
📍 Online via Zoom💻 Virtual Only💲 Free

Come learn about the business supports available from:

Carleton University

Saugeen Economic Development Corporation

FutureTek

Innovation Factory

Spark Centre

Mitacs

University of Toronto Mississauga

Spin Up

We-Tech

Launch Lab

Hackforge

ISED

Tech Access

IPON

La Cité, BioEnterprise

PARO

This event is presented by PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise.

Register to attend online

📆 Wednesday, OCtober 9th🕑 11 Am – 12:30 PM📍 Online via Zoom

OSM Indoor Mapping Party
2024-11-12 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

The weather may be (sort of?) cooling off, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop mapping!

During this casual event we’ll be using desktop tools to update Windsor’s OpenStreetMap data. This might mean adding missing attributes such as sidewalks, or putting in new ones like the Victoria Ave and Pelissier St bike lanes. We might also get into discussions relating to data import, the state of Windsor’s Open Data Portal, and Hackforge’s recent cycling app update.

Users of all experience levels and using all editing platforms are welcome to attend. We have some laptops available to use for those who need them.

📆 Tuesday, November 12th🕘 6 – 8 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210), and online via Zoom

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

End-of-Year Mixer
2024-11-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Chapter II Brewing, 234 Edna St, Windsor, ON, N8Y 4W8, Canada
📍 Chapter II Brewing (234 Edna St)👥 In Person Only💲 Free

2024 has been another great year at Hackforge, and we’ll be celebrating soon with our annual End-of-Year Mixer!

This year we’ll be meeting at Chapter II Brewing on the corner of Edna and Walker. Light snacks will be provided, with additional food items and drinks (both alcoholic and not) available to order at your own expense.

There is no cost to attend, and there is also no agenda! Simply meet up to hangout and catch up with fellow Hackforgers.

We’ll also have our new enamel pins available to purchase – $10 each, cash only.

📆 Friday, November 15th🕐 8 – 10 PM📍 Chapter II Brewing (2345 Edna St, Windsor)

Border City Data: Easy Data Pipelines with Luigi
2024-11-19 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

This month, Border City Data is focused on a Luigi, a simple Python tool for building data pipelines with directed acyclic graphs (DAGs).

Host Doug Sartori will guide attendees through a hands-on tutorial based on a pre-existing Luigi project. In order to follow along, please make sure you have a computer with Docker Desktop installed and ready to go. If you need help getting Docker set up please refer to the official documentation.

Note that existing knowledge of Python and ETL will be useful but is not required!

📅 Tuesday, November 19th🕚 6 – 7:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave) and Online via Zoom

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

Effortlessly Integrate Your Data with AI
2024-11-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Hackforge HQ, 300 Ouellette Ave Unit 210, Windsor, ON, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Supercharge your data with AI! Learn how to easily connect your data to powerful AI tools on AWS. Discover how to unlock valuable insights and make better decisions.

Using AWS’s fully managed GenerativeAI (GenAI) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), we’ll show you how to unlock powerful insights by seamlessly bringing your data into foundation models.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or new to AI, this session will show you how easy it is to implement these cutting-edge technologies to transform your data and drive smarter business decisions.

📅 Wednesday, November 20🕐 6:30 – 8:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave) and Online via Zoom

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

CANCELLED: Advanced Tutorial: LLM Practical Project Using AWS Bedrock
2024-11-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
CANCELLED

Dive into the world of Generative AI and build your own personalized recommendation system using AWS Bedrock and Python. This hands-on workshop will guide you through leveraging the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) to create a system that provides tailored recommendations to individual users.

In this advanced session, attendees will learn:

→ Fundamentals of AWS Bedrock → How to apply LLMs to analyze user data and generate personalized suggestions

Developers, students, and data scientists are encouraged to attend. Prior experience with Python programming will help you to get the most out of this workshop.

📅 Monday, November 25th🕥 6 – 8 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 300) and Online via Zoom

Register to attend In-Person in the RSVP box belowRegister to attend Virtually via Zoom.

Linux User Group: Intro to Bootable Containers
2024-11-28 19:00 - 21:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Our next Hack Forge Linux User Group meetup is about bootable containers!

On Thursday, November 28th Charlie from Red Hat will be showcasing the new technology of creating an entire bootable OS from a singular Containerfile/Dockerfile.

With the knowledge from this session, you’ll be able to go from using a container to storing it on a bootable USB stick, or running it in a virtual machine.

This event is ideal for:💾 Anyone curious about containers or virtual machines💾 Those interested in learning more about bootable container technology

Introductory knowledge of a Containerfile / Dockerfile required to ensure you get the most out of this session. No other experience necessary!

Everything will also be (mostly) done through GUI.

Download and install Podman Desktop beforehand to follow along.

📆 Thursday, November 28th🕦 7 – 9 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online via Zoom

Register to attend In-Person in the box below.Register to attend Virtually via Zoom.

Auto Industry Networking
2024-12-06 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

Join us for an exciting event where we’ll explore the future of the automotive industry in Windsor! As a hub for automotive innovation, Windsor is at the forefront of change, with AI, electric vehicles, and new policies shaping the landscape. This event is your chance to:

🚗Connect with fellow professionals, enthusiasts, and students passionate about the auto industry🚗Learn about the latest trends and challenges facing the sector🚗Contribute to building a vibrant community and shaping future events

Let’s come together to support and empower each other in navigating the exciting future of automotive in Windsor! RSVP below to let us know that you’ll be coming to this in-person event.

📆 Friday, December 6th🕦 6 – 8 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)

Practical Coding with Local LLMs: A Hands-On Workshop
2024-12-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Are you an experienced developer curious about the power of Large Language Models (LLMs)? Join us for a practical workshop where you’ll learn how to implement and code with LLMs on your own machine.

In this session, we’ll be:

🤖Implementing a local LLM: Hardware considerations for optimal performance🤖Exploring different software options🤖Developing a proof-of-concept: Prompt testing and refinement techniques🤖Coding a solution using Docker and Python

This is a hands-on workshop, so come prepared to follow along and code with us!

Who should attend: Experienced developers new to LLMs.

Tech stack: Docker, Python

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical experience with local LLMs! Register via Zoom to receive the link to the call.

📆 Tuesday, December 10th

🕦 6 – 7:30 PM

📍 Virtual via Zoom

Board Game Night
2024-12-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

For our final event of 2024 we’re bringing back one of our most popular sessions – Board Game Night!

We’ll have a few games on-hand, but feel free to bring your own as well.

There is no cost to attend, and everyone 17+ is welcome to join. Space is limited however, so to ensure you get a seat make sure to show up on time! Doors will open ten minutes before the start of the event.

📆 Thursday, December 12, 2024🕦 6 – 830 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)

Game-Making with AI
2025-01-13 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

As we gear-up for the 2025 Global Game Jam, we’ll be offering a series of events to get everyone feeling interested, excited, and confident about participating!

While AI has really caught on in the last few years, we were already playing (and losing) chess against computers in the 90’s. So were those computers intelligent? How did they know not only how to play the game, but to play it well?

The answer is ‘Combinatorial Game Theory,’ (CGT) and ‘Minimax’ (MM). Minimax is an implementation of the ideas about winning moves for zero-sum games put forward by CGT.

In this intermediate-level session, Doug Sartori will walk through a demonstration of how CGT and MM can be used in basic games (think Go, Tic-Tac-Toe, and checkers). Using Javascript, he’ll walk through the concept, math, and code, enabling you to use these theories in your own game-making.

📆 Monday, January 13, 2025🕦 6 – 7:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette, Unit 210)and online via Zoom

✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

Want to learn more? Check out this article on CGT in AI

Linux Gaming Social
2025-01-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Will 2025 be the year of Linux gaming? Join us on Discord to discuss this spicy topic and everything to do with Linux gaming!We’ll be discussing the following topics:

How has the Steam Deck impacted the Linux gaming ecosystem?

Is gaming on Linux approachable for the average Gamer?

How to get started with building a game for Linux?

Building a Linux game for the Global Game Jam.

Running Windows Games on Linux.

And more!

I’m also compiling a document with useful links and resources for building and running games on Linux for the Global Game Jam event, which starts the following week. Please bring any resources that you think would make a fine addition to the collection.I hope to see everyone there!

📆 Date: Thursday, January 16th 🕦 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) 📍 Virtual Event via Discord

Get Ready to Jam: Game Jam Prep with Josh Sankarlal
2025-01-19 13:30 - 15:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Are you gearing up for Global Game Jam 2025? Whether you’re a first-time participant or a seasoned pro, this free hybrid event is designed to help you make the most of your game jam experience!Join Josh Sankarlal, Canada’s GGJ Regional Organizer and a seasoned game developer, as he shares invaluable tips, tricks, and strategies to help you succeed. With his deep knowledge of game development and years of experience with GGJ, Josh is the perfect guide to get you ready to create something amazing.What You’ll LearnJosh will cover essential game jam topics, including:🎮 Choosing the right game engine🎮 Scoping your game effectively🎮 Submitting your game smoothly🎮 Resources to help you jam like a pro

Hands-On SupportAttendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions, and those joining us in-person should bring their game-making devices! After the presentation, Josh will provide hands-on assistance with setting up your development platform—a valuable opportunity, especially for beginners.(Please note: Individual help is not guaranteed, and priority will be given to those who register in advance.)

Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your skills, connect with fellow game jammers, and set yourself up for success at GGJ 2025. Mark your calendar, register today, and start preparing your questions!

📆 Sunday, January 19th🕦 1:30 – 3:30 PM📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) and Online via Zoom✔️RSVP Below in attend in-person in the box below🧑🏽‍💻Register to attend virtually via Zoom

GLOBAL GAME JAM KICKOFF
2025-01-20 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

🌟 Kickoff the 2025 Global Game Jam with Hackforge! 🌟

Ready to dive into one of the most exciting global events in game development? Join us for our Global Game Jam Kickoff, an evening designed to spark your creativity, fuel your inspiration, and get you pumped to create something amazing!

Whether you’re a seasoned jammer or a first-timer, this event will set the stage for a fun, productive, and collaborative week.

Open to all, not just participants!

📆 Jan 20, 2025🕦6PM-8PM📍Hackforge HQ & Online via Discord

Register for Global Game Jam at globalgamejam.org

Come for the knowledge, stay for the community—and get ready to make something incredible! 🎨👾

Global Game Jam
2025-01-20 18:00 - 2025-01-26 17:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

For the second year running, Hackforge is participating in the Global Game Jam! As the world’s largest game creation event, GGJ brings together thousands of participants at hundreds of locations. Over the week of the jam, participants make video, board, and card games based on the secret theme (which is revealed at event kickoff).

Hackforge welcomes folks from anywhere who are interested in creating any kind of game. Design and develop as part of a team or a solo jammer – whatever you prefer! All ages are welcome to participate, but anyone under 17 must be on a team with a parent or guardian. Best of all, there is no cost to participate!

We will have some mentor resources available for specific engines, languages, and topics.

📅 Key Dates

🕹Monday, December 2, 2024Jammer registration opens🕹Monday, January 20, 2025Discord Voice Channel opens Global Game Jam Kickoff – 6pm-8pm @ Hackforge HQ & Online🕹Tuesday, January 21 – Friday, January 24, 2025 Hackforge Office Open 4pm-7pm come work on your game!🕹Saturday, January 25, 2025Hackforge Office Closed, Discord Channel remains open🕹Sunday January 26, 2025: 3 PM: Hackforge office opens for closing event, game final touches, and submission5 PM: Game submission deadline, followed by our closing events, including a chance to show off (and maybe even play!) your game5PM -7 PM: Show off your game!

This year will also include a series of lead-in events, with topics like Classic Board Game AI (combinatorial game theory), Linux gaming, and Game Jamming 101.

Here are a few links to get you started:

Hackforge’s official GGJ pageHackforge’s Discord Server – find the Global Game Jam channel under “Interests”: The official GGJ Discord Server

📆 January 20 – 26, 2025📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) and online via Discord✅ Register through the Global Game Jam website

GLOBAL GAME JAM Closing event
2025-01-26 15:00 - 19:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

🎮 Global Game Jam 2025: Closing Event 🎮

After a whirlwind week of creativity and collaboration, it’s time to celebrate all the hard work and incredible games made during the 2025 Global Game Jam!

Schedule of Events:

📌 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Final Touches & Game SubmissionsPut the finishing touches on your game and submit it to the global platform. Teamwork and focus are key as the clock winds down!

📌 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Show & Tell ShowcaseShow off your masterpiece! Teams will present their games, share their creative process, and—if time allows—play a few of the amazing creations together.

🎉 Whether you’re a jammer, a supporter, or just curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of indie game development. Let’s celebrate creativity, community, and innovation!

📅 Sunday, January 26, 2025⏰ 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)💻 Online via Discord

Register for Global Game Jam at globalgamejam.org

Come share the excitement, see the results of this epic week, and maybe even play a few games if time allows! 🚀👾

What's Your Favourite Browser Add-on?
2025-02-06 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

Discover Hidden Gems of the Browser World!Join us for a fun and interactive session where we ask the big question: What’s your favorite browser add-on?

This show-and-tell style event is your chance to share the tools you love, explore nifty add-ons others swear by, and walk away with a treasure trove of new ideas to enhance your browsing experience. From productivity boosters to quirky tools you never knew you needed, there’s something for everyone!

What to Expect:📢 Brief presentations from attendees showcasing their favorite add-ons.💬 Casual discussions and Q&A to dive deeper into the coolest features.✨A chance to mix and mingle with fellow tech enthusiasts

📆Feb 6, 2025🕦6pm-8pm📍Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave., Unit 210, Windsor, ON)& Online via Zoom

✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom

Let's Talk About Linux Distros
2025-02-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍Discord💻Virtual Only💲 Free

Join us for this month’s LUG social where we’ll be discussing everything related to Linux distributions! This event is perfect for anyone wanting to give Linux a try or seasoned users looking to try a new distribution.

We’ll be discussing the following topics:

Our favourite distributions and why

Why it’s hard to recommend a specific distribution

What distributions you’d like to try

How to try out a new distribution

And much more!

I hope to see everyone there!

📆 Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025 🕦 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) 📍 Virtual Event via Discord

DIY Retrieval-Augmented Generation
2025-02-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Fogolar Furlan, 1800 North Service Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 1Y3, Canada
📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online💻👥 Hybrid💲 Free

Unlocking AI’s Potential with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)Are you ready to take your AI expertise to the next level? This event is tailor-made for experienced technologists eager to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.

Join Doug Sartori as he demystifies Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), a game-changing approach to enhancing AI models with your own data. In this insightful session, Doug will showcase the tools and techniques he used to develop an expert chatbot designed to help users navigate the goals, policies, strategies, and structure of Canada’s Ministry of Health bureaucracy.

What You’ll LearnDoug will guide you through key concepts and practical insights, including:🤖 How RAG works and why it’s a breakthrough in AI development🤖 Tools and resources to integrate custom data into AI models🤖 Practical steps for creating your own specialized chatbot

Interactive Q&ABring your questions! After the demonstration, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in an interactive Q&A session to deepen their understanding of RAG and its applications.Don’t miss this chance to expand your skillset, connect with fellow technologists, and explore the frontier of AI innovation.

📆 Tuesday, February 18, 2025🕡 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM📍 Hackforge HQ (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210) & Online

✔️In-Person RSVP below🖥️ Virtual RSVP via Zoom
