Category Editor Bias

Three times in the past two years I tried to become an editor in a category that I am certainly most qualified . My qualifications include that I designed and submitted the first website in Orlando, Florida in October 1994. In fact, we were listed in Yahoo when the original designers were still university students. Our company generates 65 % of our sales on-line. With over 8 years activity on-line i certainly can be considered an internet pioneer.

I have attempted to become an Open Directory Editor in this category 4 times. I keep getting rejected for not being qualified.

The category is :Regional: North America: United States: Florida: Travel and Tourism: Lodging: Vacation Rentals

I believe that I am being rejected by Editors who know that I may be aware that there are too many sites in the Open Directory that are operated by individuals and companies who operate illegally in Florida. I do a lot of volunteer work and am a founding member of the Central Florida Property Managers . Association. A professional association trying to expose many companies operating on-line and outside of the very strict Florida Hotel Regulations.

I have no evidence that this is happening at the Open Directory but see no reason why my qualifications are not considered a valuable asset. I am a strong advocate of the Internet being the great equalizer but are certainly saddened when valuable tools like the Open Directory can be subject to editor bias.

I believe that I am being rejected by Editors who know that I may be aware that there are too many sites in the Open Directory that are operated by individuals and companies who operate illegally in Florida.

I have no evidence that this is happening at the Open Directory.

So what's your point? If you have "no evidence" then you have no basis to make these kinds of allegations, do you.

Fact is, all applications are reviewed, not by regular editors, but meta editors - such as myself. There are plenty of reasons why your applications could have been rejected. If you take the time to read some of the threads in this forum, you'll find all of them.

To be honest, I seriously doubt that there are any editors reviewing your applications that even know you, much less care about you "knowing too much". And since you "have no evidence", why did you bring it up?

I don't quite see where the fact that you did a website in 1994 has any qualifications for editing Florida tourist travel categories. Perhaps that is the problem.

This one might be a good one to apply for: Society/Issues/Conspiracy/

[Edited to make link clickable - apeuro]

>> This one might be a good one to apply for: Society/Issues/Conspiracy/ <<

Not really. The cat's too large for a new editor. /images/icons/wink.gif

Now I can see what type of people are actually behind this forum. My 1994 site has grown to the point that it employs 9 full time staff. It generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales each month so I really am not bothered by your childing comments.You made this statement:
"Fact is, all applications are reviewed, not by regular editors, but meta editors - such as myself. There are plenty of reasons why your applications could have been rejected."
Funny thing. All through this forum there are complaints that editors are rejected with an almost immediate form letter. Then you have the nerve to claim that meta editors ( now there is an ego tripping title ) examine each application. What a pile of crap. No evidence of who you are or what expertise you bring to this forum. In all probability one of those techno geeks from the 90's that have suddenly found out your skills are not as in demand as you all thought. Placed in a position that you think is so self important only to find out the real world doesn't care at all about what you do.

This forum is biased.You are volunteers with no real direction.
The Open Directory is a superb idea that serves the greater good. The problem is that technology has allowed people like you to sully the integrity of what the directory was intended for and to post replies that draw out the dark side in your industry.

>> Three times in the past two years I tried to become an editor in a category that I am certainly most qualified.

>> I am a strong advocate of the Internet being the great equalizer but are certainly saddened when...

>> In all probability one of those techno geeks from the 90's that have suddenly found out your skills..."

One of requirements for becoming an editor is good grammar. If you had perfect grammar, like what I does, then things might have been different

/images/icons/smile.gif

An even temper, courtesy and rational behaviour are good too.

Or, instead of some deep dark conspiracy, or editor bias - maybe it is because that cat already HAS an editor?

I'm not familiar with your application, but for state level Vacation Rental categories as a whole, that is not a good starting point for an editor. From the state level category, you would not be able to add/remove/modify any individual rental site. Have a site to list for Miami...wouldn't go there. It would be listed in the Miami Vacation Rentals category. See a dead site in Orlando...couldn't fix it.

The only sites listed and accessible to an editor in that category are just those that cover more than one region in Florida. Everything else is listed in its region, metro area, or locality. It would be better to start at the locality Vacation Rental category. For a new editor, a locality is a better approach as you lessen the chance that sites will be listed in the wrong spot. Of course, there is the definite ability for editors to progress in the directory progress and edit multiple localities, the whole state, and so on up the directory. Start with the locality you are most familiar...it won't take long and you will be comfortable with that category, have a firm grasp of the editing guidelines, and be ready to adopt another category or a higher level.

As for sites that are operating outside of the Florida Hotel Regulations, a better route might be to contact their hosting company or ISP. Quite frankly, I don't think using editor forums to expose the companies to the editors would provide any relief and probably would fall short of the CFPMA ethics clause requesting members not criticize the competition nor their way of practicing business. However, if you present the information that the site is breaking the law, then I believe that the hosting company can and will remove the site.

Thanks.

«post replies that draw out the dark side in your industry. »

I think that many editors don't consider what they do as part of an industry.

<< I believe that I am being rejected by Editors who know that I may be aware that there are too many sites in the Open Directory that are operated by individuals and companies who operate illegally in Florida. >>

No, probably not. We had one editall with a strong interest in real estate for awhile, but no metas that I know of. However-- and yes, I am speculating-- if you mentioned on your application that you planned to delete lots of sites based on your judgement of legality, you don't exactly make the best pitch for becoming an editor. We want editors to ADD sites, not delete them. The case of a site's owner doing illegal things offline is a different case from the site containing illegal content...