oucs/dataox — Issue #2: Display problems with recruit.ox.ac.uk URLS 
Author: jamescummings
Created: 2011-10-08 08:42:31+00:00
State: open

URLS for recruit.ox.ac.uk often make display icky. For example, the useful data is pushed down under the toolbox at:

http://data.ox.ac.uk/doc/vacancy/101221

because the URL in 'Homepage' field is:
http://data.ox.ac.uk/desc/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.recruit.ox.ac.uk%2Fpls%2Fhrisliverecruit%2Ferq_jobspec_version_4.display_form%3Fp_display_in_irish%3DN%26p_applicant_no%3D%26p_refresh_search%3DY%26p_process_type%3D%26p_recruitment_id%3D101221%26p_form_profile_detail%3D%26p_display_apply_ind%3DY%26p_internal_external%3DE%26p_company%3D10

Solutions:

a) Force, somehow, wrapping of URLs at a set length. i.e. with CSS, see for example http://perishablepress.com/press/2010/06/01/wrapping-content/
b) Truncate URLs in display only, giving full URL as @title attribute. i.e. truncate at 50 characters appending a '...' but maintaining the link.
c) Use a bespoke URL shortening system like on m.ox so we get data.ox.ac.uk/shorturl/vacancy/101221 which redirects. (downside: opaque to user)
d) Use a third-party URL shortening system (more downsides)
e) Something else.

-James