better review speed at dmoz

My suggestion is that Dmoz accept more editors by making it easier to be an editor, that way there are more "volunteers" with more "volunteer" hours to review sites and there can be no excuse that editors are 'just' volunteers.

Unfortunately, most 'applicants' amply demonstrate a poor understanding of spelling, punctuation and grammar (any, or all of these); and many wish to join just to add their own site, delete the competition, and then leave. That is why there is an application process, and why over 75%, maybe around 90%, of applications are rejected. When an editor abuses a category, it takes someone else a long time to clean up and undo the changes. This is why the application standard is unlikely to be reduced. Many apply for a category that is too large or for one that is spam-laden. Such areas are not given out to new editors as experience really is needed to edit these areas properly. In theory, more editors would make the job easier, but only if they are the right editors. Unfortunately, too many of the wrong sort of editors are in the applicant queue.

I think that many applicants make the mistake of thinking that since they are volunteering the application is merely a formality and that a perfunctory attempt at completing the form is all that is required.

If an applicant puts a bit of time into crafting a decent application, applies for an appropriate category, checks his or her grammar and spelling, is upfront about affiliations, gives an impression of understanding the nature of the category and shows that they can describe and title sites then their chances of approval are high

An application does not need to be perfect, but if it is lacking because the applicant does not have the ability, or is not prepared to put in the effort to create a decent one, then it is a reasonable assumption that the edits from that editor will also be lacking.

Potential editors are not turned down for frivolous or vexatious reasons, they are declined because it appears to the reviewer that the applicant has not demonstrated that they have the ability or inclination to assist in the creation in a quality, unbiased and comprehensive directory. It can be a difficult judgment call and we do not get it right all of the time.

We do understand the frustration of submitters waiting for their sited to be listed, this was one of the reasons these fora were set up. However in building a directory there is much more to the equation than getting sites reviewed as quickly as possible.

Bad editors consume the productive time of experienced editors (cleaning up their messes) and harm the directory's integrity and reputation (so long as the messes haven't been cleaned up.)

Every meta editor is aware of the need for new editors. Every meta is aware of the problems bad editors cause. Balancing those two constraints takes judgment: it is never a question of accepting "more" or "less" applicants, it is always a judgment of "Has THIS person adequately demostrated competance, honesty, and willingness to help?" "Is THAT person so obviously incompetant or self-interested that no help should be expected from them?"

When I first applied I made mistakes, but the meta reviewing my application e-mailed me and suggested to fix what I did wrong. I applied again and got accepted. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just want to throw my support behind what has already been said by other editors. They covered the issue very well.

When I joined, I did not think my app would be accepted and just thought I would try. However it was accepted pretty quickly and I did not have to submit more than one. Although I do not know, I think that what other editors have said is true - those 90% probably contain bad spelling and grammar, no sites or just rubbish. The application is slightly more complicated now but I doubt that will deter anyone. IMO the application system certainly does not need to be any easier and, however much it is, the percentage rejected will always be high because on any online form many some people will just put anything for the sake of it. Anyone who really wants to be an editor can be with a little effort.