Sunday, February 22nd wrapped up the weeklong Press Play: Data-Journalism Hackathon at the downtown Green Bean Cafe. Four teams, made up of St. Clair College and University of Windsor students, created four different interactive visualizations about Windsor data.
In honour of Open Data Day, we challenged teams to take on open Windsor Data. Our overall winning team, Cornelius and Clara, visualized the distance to bus stops around Windsor and the barriers it creates. Lauren and Akindele, winning Best Piece of Journalism, went around town to challenge Windsorites to understand the budget and imagined a more interactive, clear version. Best Use of Windsor Data went to Zule and Steven, who broke down election statistics from the last municipal election by number and area. And finally, Most Creative Project went to Amanda and hackathon veteran, Meghan for their exploration of accessibly to local tourist attractions by bus or bike.
Best Overall Team:
Cornelius Froese & Clara Benedek
“Transportation in Windsor”
Best Piece of Journalism:
Lauren Hedges & Akindele Faulkner
“Visualizing Windsor’s Annual Budget”
Best Use of Windsor Data:
Steven Espinoza & Zule Li
“Election Web: Windsor Municipal Election 2014”
Most Creative Project:
Meghan O’Donnell & Amanda Sinasac
“Can We Bus it to the Beach?”
Thanks to our judges: Blake Roberts, Don McArthur, Aisling Douglas, and Bob Price.
Press Play was created with support from EPICentre, Open Data Windsor Essex, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) and WEtech Alliance.
Sunday, February 15th kicked off Press Play: Data-Journalism Hackathon at the Windsor Public Library. Four student teams were assembled to take on a week-long challenge of creating interactive visualizations based on Windsor data.
The day also included a panel discussion with community experts on the topic of open data and technology in journalism. Our panelists will also be the judges for the hackathon. The round table included:
Bob Price – Technical Support Analyst at the City of Windsor Aisling Douglas – UI/UX Designer & Computer Girls Program Facilitator and Instructor Donald McArthur – Assistant Managing Editor, Digital at The Windsor Star Blake Roberts – Program Chair of Digital Journalism at the University of Windsor Dylan Kristy – Web Wrangler for the Windsor Star
Moderator: Douglas Sartori: Board President of Windsor Hackforge
We’ll keep you posted for more Press Play news as we continue towards the big reveal day on Sunday, February 22nd.
Press Play was created by University student Lauren Hedges and Hackforge, with support from EPICentre, Open Data Windsor Essex, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) and WEtech Alliance.
Candidates and community members can learn about community groups, like Hackforge, working to improve the quality of life in Windsor Essex. Pathway to Potential will also be presenting their progress, strategic priorities, and highlighting their “What Matters” community survey results. This is also an opportunity to exchange ideas and meet others passionate on improving our communities.
Hackforge is working to making technology accessible to everyone. Money shouldn’t be a barrier for individuals or groups to use technology that could better their lives. Our Tech Talks allow people to learn about different fields for free. The Software Craftsman Guild helps programmers learn best-practice skills and acts as professional development without the cost of a class or membership. Our space gives members access to technology, mentorship, and a working area for projects, learning, and experimentation.
Open Data Windsor-Essex, Hackforge’s special interest group funded by the Ontario Trillium Funding, is promoting, creating, and hosting open data in our community. Through our three year grant, we are working with community partners, both from non-profit groups and the government, to make information free and accessible to everyone. Open Data helps to create a more transparent and community-engaged world when the public has access to information for research, advocacy, education, and content development.
TWO DATES | TWO LOCATIONS
WINDSOR: August 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Windsor Star News Cafe.
ESSEX: August 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Shaheen Community Room,
Essex Arena (Essex Centre Sports Complex).
Last night, Tuesday, July 29th, Open Data Windsor-Essex (ODWE) met at Hackforge with its members and interested people from the community. ODWE announced the Trillium funding received that will help community partners employ, access, and utilize open data. With the hiring of new Program Coordinator, Sarah Morris, ODWE is helping non-profits make their information available to the everyone.
ODWE plans for an exciting fall with a portal launch and hackathons in the works. For a more comprehensive breakdown, please take a look at the slides put together by ODWE Director, Mita Williams.
If you are interested in being a part of ODWE, have an interest in open data, or ideas about where it can grow in the city, please let us know by contacting info@hackf.org.
Tuesday, July 29th, Open Data Windsor Essex is meeting at Hackforge (850 Ouellette Ave) at 6:30PM.
We’ll be talking about some exciting projects and giving you an update on the progress from last meeting. Help us plan the next steps and determine the future of open data in our community.
This is an open meeting, so if you are interested in open data in Windsor, please join us.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Mita@hackf.org.
