Let's make our own map website!

You've got ideas. Great ideas! Big ideas! Ideas to show on a map! How are you going to share them with the world? No matter what your interests or mediums are, you'll want a website or a blog to make it easier for folks to find and share your ideas. In this tutorial we'll work together to create your own website on GitHub, complete with an interactive map. All the tools are free and your site is hosted for free! The only limit is your imagination.

No prior knowledge is required. We'll cover a couple of tools:

1. GitHub: https://github.com/ and more specifically GitHub pages: https://pages.github.com/ . This is where your site will be hosted. GitHub is hosted version control repositories based on Git. We're not going to go into the weeds on this (it could be a whole series of sessions just by itself), but we will cover the basics.
2. QGIS: https://qgis.org/en/site/ . QGIS is a free and open source mapping software. Again, we don't have time to cover QGIS in detail. We will use it to make a simple map to publish in a web friendly format.
3. A wee bit of JavaScript, Markdown, and HTML. If you've never coded anything in your life, not to worry! We'll be doing some copy/pasting and writing just like you would in your word processor.

You'll get the most out of it if you bring a laptop to follow along. Details about what to install and how to get to the room will be sent to attendees in advance. Please only click Going if you are committed to attending (and release your spot if your plans change).

ABOUT MAPTIME:

Maptime is, rather literally, time for mapmaking. Our mission is to open the doors of cartographic possibility to anyone interested by creating a time and space for collaborative learning, exploration, and map creation using mapping tools and technologies.

This open learning environment for all levels and degrees of knowledge offers intentional support for the beginner. Maptime is simultaneously flexible and structured, creating space for workshops and for independent/collaborative work time.

Inspiration for Maptime comes from both hack nights and knitting circles. Both are models of spaces for people to create and learn together. Our goal is to provide this space with an open heart and without pretension. You can bring your own projects to work on, or just hang out and socialize or ask questions. Some people are experts, and some people are just getting started, but all of us are learning, so why not do it together?

Maptime is hands-on, so don't forget to bring your laptop! If you have an extra laptop, bring that too (in case some people forget to bring theirs).