Contact Category Editor Broken?

I was attempting to reach out to a couple of category editors and when I try to fill out the form, I get a Proxy Error (the proxy server could not handle the request). I've tried it from two different computers on different networks and get the same error. And I get the same error while trying to reach two different editors.


Temporary problem, or something else? Please let me know and thanks for your help!

The error messages are in error and messages do get through.

However, there's no need to contact editors because we let websites speak for themselves. We encourage editors not to respond to messages from website owners because the ensuing conversations all too often end badly.

jimnoble said:

The error messages are in error and messages do get through.


However, there's no need to contact editors because we let websites speak for themselves. We encourage editors not to respond to messages from website owners because the ensuing conversations all too often end badly.

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Good to know that the messages are getting through despite the error message. Sorry to hear that, though, because now it will look like I've been bombarding the editors, which certainly was not my intent (trying the same basic message from multiple machines and networks was an effort to troubleshoot, not spam).


And I'm also sorry that such conversations "too often end badly." For some of us, all we're looking for is some simple feedback. If, for example, the editor just hasn't had a chance to review the site, no worries. We'll be patient. But if there's something about the suggestion that didn't fit, that would be good to know as well. If nothing else as a learning experience. I've submtted several URL suggestions, and if I'm doing them wrong or if I could be doing them better, or if they are somehow inappropriate, I'd sure like to know that.

> For some of us, all we're looking for is some simple feedback.
We still do not know what the use of such feedback could be.
> If, for example, the editor just hasn't had a chance to review the site, no worries. We'll be patient.
In this case there is nothing you can do.
> But if there's something about the suggestion that didn't fit, that would be good to know as well.
If something didn't fit an editor will make the necessary changes (send to different category, rewrite title and description). A site will not be rejected for such minor mistakes. In this case there is nothing you can or need to do.
If the site is not listable it will be rejected. From our experience we know that there is nothing that can be changed on the websiet to make it listable. It is the kind of website we do not list. Why would we tell you. You suggested a site that we have told you we do not want to list (when suggesting a site you acknowlegded to have read these guidelines).

So now tell us why would we give feedback if in all cases you can do nothing.
It would ofcourse be different if people suggesting websites are our customers and we would provide a service to the. But that is not true.
Those people are providers and in this relationship DMOZ is the customer.

pvgool said:

> For some of us, all we're looking for is some simple feedback.

We still do not know what the use of such feedback could be.

> If, for example, the editor just hasn't had a chance to review the site, no worries. We'll be patient.

In this case there is nothing you can do.

> But if there's something about the suggestion that didn't fit, that would be good to know as well.

If something didn't fit an editor will make the necessary changes (send to different category, rewrite title and description). A site will not be rejected for such minor mistakes. In this case there is nothing you can or need to do.

If the site is not listable it will be rejected. From our experience we know that there is nothing that can be changed on the websiet to make it listable. It is the kind of website we do not list. Why would we tell you. You suggested a site that we have told you we do not want to list (when suggesting a site you acknowlegded to have read these guidelines).


So now tell us why would we give feedback if in all cases you can do nothing.

It would ofcourse be different if people suggesting websites are our customers and we would provide a service to the. But that is not true.

Those people are providers and in this relationship DMOZ is the customer.

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I certainly had no intention of starting an argument, and I apologize if I've been out of line. And I never considered myself a customer. I just thought if those of us who decide to submit a URL did it better, it would be easier and save time for the editors. If the sites I've suggested don't qualify, and I better understood why, I'd either submit better sites in the future, or not submit at all. In both cases, your editors would benefit, I would think.


Just to be clear, I have read all the guidelines, and they are quite clear. As best as I can tell, the sites I have submitted don't violate any of the guidelines.


Again, my apologies if I ruffled any feathers. Just trying to learn.

bladelink said:

Just to be clear, I have read all the guidelines, and they are quite clear. As best as I can tell, the sites I have submitted don't violate any of the guidelines.

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That is very fine. Most people do not care to read the guidelines, or at least it seems that they did not read them.
We always appreciate it when people suggest good website. It just can take some time (sometimes upto several years) until a suggestion gets looked at. Nothing to worry about. Editors look at DMOZ as one big directory and there are always parts of it that get improved and parts that will have to wait a little longer until an editor with interest in that subject decides to spend some time on it.

This only applies to two ignorant editors or moderators, it is not for the friendly hard working ones that I/we appreciate and thank very much.

I've read enough of you big feeling #^%@!s spewing off at very nice people asking perfectly reasonable questions.

I won't mention names but... you especially seem to have a gargantuan chip on your shoulder! You may (pitifully) eat, sleep and live DMOZ...but the rest of us don't. You may have the big DMOZ rules and regulations tattooed on your face, however most of us have read them once or twice, we don't recite them before breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a thousand other times during the day.

As far as us not being customers......................................................................................wait think about it....................................................................................... why do you have a job?

Again, no name mentioned but... most of the answers you write couldn't be much less helpful and useless.

The person in the above post was just simply wondering if there was anything they should know about, any feedback they could get for next time. If you don't do something they are asking for or about, tell them in a nice way, not the flippant and ignorant way you do.

You may have given these answers a thousand times, but this is their first.

If you dis-like what you are doing so much...do us all a favor and QUIT

charlottewebb said:

........ why do you have a job?

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Like most people we have a job to get some money to live.
And besides a job I do as many things I like doing, such as being a DMOZ editor.
You didn't think being a DMOZ editor is a job, did you? It is a hobby.

You may have given these answers a thousand times, but this is their first.

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That is why we still hope that people will first read the FAQ and older questions. A habit that was the norm in the days forums first emerged.

You may have given these answers a thousand times, but this is their first.

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If "they" would read the Guidelines and the FAQs, they wouldn't need to ask and editors wouldn't have to give the same answers ... a thousand times.

I've read enough of you big feeling #^%@!s

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I don't think I've ever called anyone one of those (I couldn't even pronounce it) and I don't see any flippant responses from editors above either. They're all factual and to the point explaining how things work.

Before you launch into another 'you should be listing websites instead of arguing here' attack, I'm not arguing - just putting you straight. I've processed approaching 1000 listing suggestions during the week. What have you done to further our cause?