Visual storytelling from Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival
As part of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa Festival taking place during August and September this year, Hacks/Hackers Johannesburg will be hosting a workshop and hackathon exploring data and visual storytelling and how to make numbers look great. Co-organiser and Editor-in-Chief htxt.co.za and Hypertext Media, Adam Oxford, says that when looking for stories in data, analysing the raw numbers is only half the work: “The real magic comes when you present it. We need to research how leading websites like The Economist, The Financial Times and Quartz produce dozens of graphs a day without ever looking dull or being meaningless. That’s a skill anyone can learn.” From infographs to interactive charts, mobile applications to mapping tools, Oxford says there’s a wealth of options open for anyone who needs to put numbers in front of users or readers without putting them to sleep. “Whether you’re producing news, features, apps or games, presenting data is a vital skill for any communicator in the Internet age and we are extremely excited about presenting this workshop as part of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival.” Working with top designers from the Praekelt Foundation at Jozihub, the format for the workshop will see attendees working in teams to analyse large datasets and present the stories they contain in imagery. “We’ll bring the data, you just bring a laptop and a willingness to produce vivid storytelling for a visual generation.” Prof Christo Doherty, co-founder of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival is delighted with the visual storytelling angle: “It was our intention to use different events to turn the spotlight on some aspect of digital technology. This workshop will bring coders, journalists, designers, students and game developers together to collaborate and innovate with useful and relevant outcomes.”...
uberX is now in Joburg and it’s free until Sunday Night.
Almost a year ago Uber was brought to the City of Gold. To celebrate this milestone, Uber is taking things to the next level!*Valid for six uberX rides per user in Joburg, up to R250 in value each, until Sun 17 Aug 2014 at 11pm. Input promotional code: UBERXJHB. WHAT IS uberX? uberX is a low-cost option that uses the same app to connect you with the most reliable & affordable ride in Joburg. You can expect a clean and comfortable Toyota Corolla (or equivalent) to arrive within minutes. HOW DO I REQUEST uberX? uberX cars are on the road starting TODAY, 14 August! Open up your Uber app and you’ll now see three vehicle options to choose from: uberX, uberBLACK and uberVAN. Toggle over to the left to give uberX a try. Set your pickup location and tap the “Request uberX” button. Shoot us some feedback via the in-app rating screen after your trip! WHAT ARE THE RATES? uberX is free* until Sunday evening, but even after that it will always be crazy affordable! uberBLACK uberX Base Fare R15.00 R5.00 Per Minute R1.10 R0.75 Per KM R11.00 R7.50 Minimum Fare R50.00 R20.00 Sandton to OR Tambo R370.00 R240.00 Sandton to Melrose R80.00 R45.00 As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to supportjoburg@uber.com or tweet us @Uber_Joburg with any questions, concerns,...
Jozi’s Favourite Hang-out & Snack-out Spots
By Mariam Mahomed Sometimes the hustle and bustle of our great city gets a bit too much and we need a little time out. We need to breathe, enjoy the smell of freshly roasted coffee, indulge in a culinary journey, soak in the atmosphere and just be delighted by the city and its people. Luckily for us, Joburg has a number of places where we can do just that. Here’s a list of Joburger’s Top 5: Father Coffee From the most divine, roasted coffee to the minimalist, but warm, interior Braamfontein’s Father Coffee comes to the top of the mind when thinking about a good cup of unwinding in Johannesburg. The simple black and white design of their cups makes the perfect Instagram moment ensuring that your social media needs are fulfilled as well. Sha’p A side walk ‘shisanyama’ stand located in the ever popular Maboneng precinct , Sha’p is the answer to every South African’s prayer for some lekker braai meat without all of the effort. Sha’p offers a selection of traditional sides along with a relaxed outdoor setting where you can enjoy your braai the same way you would in your own backyard. Hard Rock Cafe I once overheard someone say that Hard Rock is the place you go to for the American experience without the expense. The interior boasts sophisticated technology with fascinating LED screens and lighting incorporated into the design. The collection of the most epic Rock n Roll memorabilia adds to the Hard Rock experience and makes their burgers and sides taste that much better. 4th Avenue Roasters Parkhurst’s 4th Avenue is without a doubt one of Jozi’s treasures with the boutique stores, the laid back atmosphere and the strong , awakening aroma of freshly roasted coffee from the tiny , ‘legendary pink’ bistro. 4th Avenue Roaster’s gives you exactly what you need to recharge and take on the rest of the day in this prime neighbourhood and if it’s too hot for a cuppa then their decadent iced coffees is a must. Andiccio 24 Andiccio 24 gives you the freedom of eating what you want at any time you want to eat it. Just by ticking a few boxes, you get a freshly made pizza that has exactly what you asked for , even at 2 am in the morning. That’s democratic eating, I’d say. If all of this freedom of choice isn’t enough their black velvet cupcakes are to die for. What are your go to spots in Jozi? Images: fathercoffee.co.za , joburgstyle.co.za , jhblive.com, 4thavenuecoffee.co.za ,...
It’s time to take a break from Neighbourgoods Market, The Sheds@1Fox is opening soon.
Exciting news for Jozi likers and hipsters, there’s a new lifestyle, food and wine market opening in October. The new venue will rise from the once abandoned industrial site between Fox and Main streets in Ferreirasdorp. Once completed, it will be known as The Sheds@1Fox, named for the old storage sheds in the area. It is being developed and renovated by the Johannesburg Land Company. One section of the site will be converted into a food and design emporium, while the others will be regenerated in phases. From 1 October, a temporary section will be opened till after Christmas, from Thursdays to Sundays. However, from 2015 more permanent fixtures will be added. In his book Johannesburg Ten Ahead, published in 2011, Gerald Garner writes: “The inner city of Johannesburg is undoubtedly at the forefront of the formation of the new South African society. Little wonder then that here you will find an incredibly energetic city with a pulse that is unmatched anywhere else on Earth.” He continues: “In the past decade the Johannesburg Development Agency, as one of the City of Johannesburg’s agencies – together with the rest of the municipality as well as countless private sector and community role players – has achieved an astonishing feat. “What was once regarded as an inner city on a slippery slope of irreversible decline has now been resurrected. It now proudly assumes its rightful place as a shining beacon of what can be achieved in South Africa.” Source:...
Your UberVAN is arriving this Saturday!
When there’s too much #UberLOVE to fit into a luxury 4-seater, they’ve got you covered! They’re bringing you even more choice with UberVAN on-demand! #Awesome Yip, from this Saturday you’ll be able to request a 7-seater ride through the Uber app. Here’s how it works: From 3pm this Saturday (14/06), open up the Uber app and request an ‘UberVAN’ (right at the bottom of the screen). UberVAN will get you 75% more space and will only be 50% more expensive than a regular Uber ride. Why not give it a try when you’re headed to the airport with your whole family? Or when heading out for a ladies’ night or to a concert with your best friends? A ride from Sandton to The Coca-Cola Dome will cost between R325-R425 for up to 7 people*. Don’t forget to split your fare with your friends and your ride will be even cheaper! Vehicles will include stylish Mercedes VITOs or awesome Hyundai...
Charly Makwanya’s experience at the Maboneng Rap Jump
It had to be on a special day when I was invited to take part at the Maboneng Rap Jump, 25 May “Africa day”. Yes, I’m one of those proud and brave Africans that can jump from anywhere… like anywhere literally, well that’s if someone else has done it before and I do my calculated risk taking. Even though I’m quite crazy about extreme sports and lots of Nat Geo risk taking events, I must say it was my first time to hear about Rap Jumping and without thinking about it I just took it on. Well, this is where you literally go on top of a very high building and jump or climb down using a rope and a harness, face down. I was very excited to finally take part in some extreme sporting event but when I saw the first guy do it, I honestly had second thoughts , then I just switched and put on my Rambo/ Bear Grylls and I was like … Bring it on. I had the instructors put on my Harness “which was too tight and I felt slightly beyond safe and yah… I felt the threat on my manhood. The next step was getting on a lift to the 10th floor and at that point I felt like some American soldier on some Apache plane to some war zone in the Middle East “you never know if you will go back home”. When we got to the top I realized it had hit the fan. Just before the Rap Jump, instructors did all the security and safety checks, took us through some little tutorial on how to handle things while we jump. Then there I was at the edge of a ten storey building and looking down. For a minute I wanted to turn back and chicken out but with my passion for extreme sports and doing something at that level of risk plus the ladies watching me I just had to put on my grip and do it. Before I knew it the instructor was like “Left foot forward first, right foot next, shoulders forward … then JUMP! I almost peed on myself because it felt like committing suicide but as I went on I got less scared and before I knew it the instructor was catching me on ground level. That was my first jump which they call the basic jump. With my second Jump I did what they call the “Angel”, which is jumping and letting go of everything with your arms and legs spread out like and Angel, the feeling was so amazing. It is not like diving...
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