The jobs.gc.ca search widget
Last week, I learned about a search widget for the jobs.gc.ca site. It’s a simple little badge that can be deployed in the right column of any gc.ca site (I gather it’s only being distributed with the GoC realm at this point). Users can start their job search from the widget. See the widget in action on the Public Service Commission site.
Love the idea of widgets as a means to extend your presence beyond the confines of your own site. Widgets also have the advantage of allowing people to take complex actions — such as starting their job search — from wherever they happen to be encountered. Compare this to email or RSS, where often, the action that can be taken is limited to clicking through to your landing page (and then doing whatever it is that you wanted them to do in the first place). A difference of degrees maybe, but still.
I already knew about the widget for Working in Canada from HRSDC. But are there more out there? I searched a little the other day but couldn’t find anything. But I’d be surprised if there weren’t others. If you know of any, please drop a comment or otherwise flag me down.
What's a spaghetti test?
I stumbled across this one from the CFIA’s food safety folks the other day:
http://www.foodsafety.gc.ca/english/fssa/widg-gadge.asp
Health Canada has a Recalls and Advisories widget http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/home-accueil/sm-ms/wid-gad-eng.php and PHAC has a Travel Notices widget http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sm-ms/widgets-eng.php
Thanks Joe, thanks Daniel – I knew that there had to be more out there!
I don’t have any Canadian ones to add but I love the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention widgets on this page: http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/
Oh, and I can’t believe I forgot since I use it every day, but Environment Canada has an iGoogle widget. Not sure if it’s “official” or not though.
Oh, well, if you want unofficial, check out the Mobile GEDS, Mobile Translator & a search tool that goes to hits every Government site …neither are widgets or apps, but they work well regardless of device. Check it out: http://www.m.gc20.ca/
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources launched this Endangered Species of the Day Widget. It is more about education and awareness than facilitating an action but is nicely done. http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/