GCconnex
GCconnex is the Government of Canada’s professional social networking platform. It is only accessible via the Government of Canada network and contributors must have a government (.gc.ca) email address to be able to register for it[1]. GCconnex enables public servants to connect and collaborate. It is a virtual network where public servants can share their professional expertise and connect with other public servants with similar interests, or with skills that will help them be more productive in their projects, assignments, initiatives, etc.
GCconnex is an open source social networking tool which allows public servants to develop their own profiles, including descriptions of individual business activities, interests and expertise.
GCconnex is managed by the GC2.0 Tools Team, which also manages GCpedia. The team is part of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
Launch and Reception
GCconnex was established in January, 2009, with the objective of offering a variety of Web2.0 and social media functions to federal employees within the Government of Canada firewall. On May 7, 2012, Jodi Leblanc, the Federal Youth Network chair, endorsed the use of the tool:
- "Although face-to-face communication and collaboration will always be my preferred method for establishing relationships, I am extremely grateful to have the GC 2.0 tools (GCpedia, GCForums, GCConnex and Clearspace) as well as LinkedIn and Twitter to reach out to my networks across Canada."[2]
User Base
GCconnex announced on February 4, 2014 that it had registered 30,000 users.
Software
GCconnex is powered by Elgg, an open source social networking engine. As of February 2014, GCconnex was using version 1.8.
Features on GCconnex
GCconnex offers many features that emulate those of external social networking and collaboration sites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google Docs, Flickr, Reddit, and Messenger.
The Wire
A feature similar to Twitter where users can post text with the 140 character limit. Other users are allowed to 'like' or 'reply' to the comment.
Blogs
Users can write an article that reflects upon their ideas or opinions based on a subject relevant to their work practices.
Bookmarks
A feature similar to that available on Reddit. Can be used to promote a page from an external or internal site of the Government of Canada.
Chat
An instant-message function used to communicate in real time with another user.
Ideas
Users can share ideas within a group, comment on them, and vote on whether they like them or not. This widget was launched as part of Blueprint 2020, but is enabled for use within any group.
Groups and Subgroups
Allows the users to organize groups relevant to their work practices. It gives several options on the level of security of the group and the content to be displayed.
Files and Folders
Entire documents of all kinds can be uploaded.
References
- ^ http://www.clerk.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?pageId=350 Blueprint 2020-Introduction by Wayne Wouters
- ^ http://www.canadiangovernmentexecutive.ca/category/item/141-connecting-beyond-boundaries.html Connecting beyond boundaries by Jodi Leblanc