55 replies to this topic

[cbp]

Run the thing like a business instead of a past time

...thats called the Yahoo Directory...

[Debra]

Yeah well that's my point! No waiting no hassle no mess there. Submit within the guidelines and it's done.

Don't get me wrong, I am a big supporter and fan of the concept behind the DMOZ. I don't like hearing the accusations or having to wait anymore than anyone else - but really.... what do you (meaning people in general) expect from an all volunteer organization that is run with waaaay too many chiefs and by indians that use it as past time?

I guess I've always wondered why AOL bought it and then never did anything with it.

[interval]

For several months, there have been accusations that some ODP editors are accepting payments for faster attention. Stemming from the Blog, Corrupt DMOZ Editor ( http://corruptdmozeditor.com/ ) which was started in December 2004 by DMOZ editor Ana Thema, the blog lists several entries detailing systemic corruption

[knight01]

When Google went public I started wondering when they would stop using DMOZ as the base for their directory. I see it happening within the next year. Google will most likely use the directory as Yahoo does (a profit center) to create even more value in their directory I see Google taking the DMOZ concept of allowing a datafeed of the listings as well.

Imagine submitting your site to google and having it included in hundreds or thousands of directories just as DMOZ does now, but without the wait. That will be some impressive marketing power.

I just submitted a site to DMOZ, no idea of if it or when it will be accepted. The category has no editor and the editor in the cat above it has not signed in since October 2004.

[cbp]

For several months, there have been accusations that some ODP editors are accepting payments for faster attention. Stemming from the Blog, Corrupt DMOZ Editor ( http://corruptdmozeditor.com/ ) which was started in December 2004 by DMOZ editor Ana Thema, the blog lists several entries detailing systemic corruption

... and you believe everything your rread on the web?

I guess it comes down to this:

On one hand you can believe those that repeatedly state there is widespread corruption at DMOZ, but never produce any real eveidence that can be investigated.

On the other hand you can beleive the senior and meta editors who say that the corruption at DMOZ is so minor that its not really a major issue (thought it is taken very seriously by DMOZ)

Beleive who you want. Submit a bribe with your submission if you want. BUT, who are you going to blame if you get your site permanently banned?

[interval]

[quote=cbp,Jun 2 2005, 11:23 PM]
... and you believe everything your rread on the web?

No

[Debra]

Agree cbp, the rantings of one person does not a norm make.

Will say this though..they do have issues they need to deal with. It's just not acceptable to have to wait for 6,8,10 months or more to have a site listed. If they can't add them within a decent amount of time (90 days?) then stop taking admissions.

If the OPD is THAT backed up, shut it down for 30 days and WORK on it. Encourage editors to get caught up. Reopen on a clean slate and go from there.

If editors are the issue, look at recruiting qualified people. Any business or organization that needs help goes looking for the best candidates, why should the DMOZ be different?

Times change. Situations change. The industry changes. Problem is, DMOZ hasn't and it's showing. Come ODP, get with it.

[qwerty]

I tend to agree. Editors are always coming into forums and stating that the ODP doesn't owe us anything, that far too many submitted sites are garbage and only serve to slow things down, and that many editors prefer to add sites they find on their own rather than submitted ones.

I don't like it, but it makes sense that they should just disable the submission form and add sites on their own. At least that way no one (like me) would have to deal with trying to figure out if, when and where their submissions were getting in.

I'd just take it off my list of places to submit, and that would be that.

[cbp]

It's just not acceptable to have to wait for 6,8,10 months or more to have a site listed.

It is only unacceptable if DMOZ was a submission process service and editors are there to process submissions - neither are true.

There are just as many really good sites that have never been submitted that have waited that long as well. A submission is nothing more than a suggestion to help an editor find sites to build a category. For every submitted site, there is probably another site out there not submitted that would probably add more value to the category - which one should teh editor give priority to.

Other directories do provide a submission process service.

I don't like it, but it makes sense that they should just disable the submission form and add sites on their own.

I agree.

[leadegroot]

A submission is nothing more than a suggestion to help an editor find sites to build a category.

I think what gets me is how true this statement is - and the rudeness implied in the 'nothing more' descriptor.
If I make a suggestion to someone I expect some sort of feedback. A 'No' is feedback. We are a civilised society; manners are expected as the lubrication that lets us all get along.
The 'silent face' the world gets from ODP comes across as nothing but rudeness.
As an comparison look at the silent treatment we are getting from Google and how it is starting to pall. People want communication from something they rely on.
If submissions aren't wanted turn them off. If they are wanted then acknowledge them correctly rather than acting as if they weren't wanted.
I do understand that a lot of the submissions are spam, and perhaps don't deserve a reply. But some of the discussions I've seen where a submission is discussed and dismissed as spam and no attempt at feedback is made, and then the editors complain that they get another submission from the same person? Well, what do they expect? They've made no attempt to educate the person on what they are doing wrong and then expect them to change? Bah!

(I think this is one of my hot topics )

[Debra]

For every submitted site, there is probably another site out there not submitted that would probably add more value to the category - which one should teh editor give priority to.

Well that's part of the problem, there are no editors in a lot categories so sites aren't being found naturally or via submission. So I don't think you can say which is better....neither if there is no one to take action.

Directories... search engines....blogs - they all rely on people to run them and people to put data in them. The ODP should look at getting more help, or helping those already in place by shutting down, tuning up or turning off the submission form.

Sounds so Kesey like....