I applaud the editors for starting this forum.

To me the ODP has been somewhat clouded in mystery in the past. Some rumours float around the Internet that the ODP partly consist of editors with self-serving interests in the categories that they edit, and that to get listed you either need to know someone on the “inside” or be really lucky. I think that these misconceptions have partly arisen because people have submitted a site, and several months later they haven’t heard anything. When they then apply to edit that category they get a quick rejection email without any explanation as to why they were rejected. This is not my personal experience but what I have gathered after reading some posts on other Internet forums.

I think that starting this forum is the best thing the editors at the ODP could have done. I realise that part of the time you could have spent editing will now be spent reading and answering questions instead. However, in my opinion this trade-off will be well worth it. After reading this forum for a while myself it has now become absolutely clear to me that the ODP editors are people who generously contribute their time to an important project, and that go out of their way to help someone that has a problem getting listed or becoming an editor. As people become aware of this through this forum they are also likely to be much more patient and understanding when their site isn’t listed straight away, or they are rejected as an editor. This will benefit the ODP tremendously and the editors will get the respect that they deserve.

As a project I think the ODP is very important. Look at what is happening with other commercial directories, like Lookstupid for example, and what is likely to happen to Yahoo. A non-commercial directory with objective editors will become even more important as the Internet grows larger.

So to all editors out there, thank you for contributing your time, and thank you for creating this forum to help clear up any misconception that people might have about the ODP.

Albert

 

Thanks for the positive feedback! A large number of people are rejected quickly because of bad grammar and spelling, the categories they apply to being too big, or people who would be abusive intentions. The meta editors try to keep out these editors not because they are elitist or self serving, but because these types of editors (excepting the ones whose categories are too big) create messes that have to be cleaned up. It also isn't that difficult to read through the ODP Guidelines before applying and double checking for spelling errors if you're really interested in joining.

It's nice that someone like you has such a positive opinion of the ODP. I highly recommend searching carefully through for a category that interests you, and applying to edit it. It's really fun when you find something that interests you. You end up learning a lot more on the subject, you have fun going through and reviewing the sites, and there's a great community of editors. It's also a bit like making a links page for a website but letting many more users access it. /images/icons/smile.gif

 

I have already applied to become an editor for a fairly small category. I didn't pick one that is on the top of my interest list, but rather one that is related to my job, and on a subject I know a fair amount about. I thought I should contribute in the area where I have the most knowledge. However, I doubt that my English is up to the job. I am originally from Sweden and have only lived in the UK for a few years. Anyway, if I get rejected as an editor in the category I applied to, I might just re-apply to a category more related to one of my hobbies. /images/icons/smile.gif

 

Hi, Albert,

You can always apply under World/Svenska ! But your English seems quite good, so don't give up on that application. Multi-lingual editors are very important.

 

[timspfd]

Hi Albert,
Thank you for the kind words. It is very nice to hear positive feedback from the public.

Are you aware of http://dmoz.org/World/Svenska/ ? This is the portion of the ODP in the Swedish language. If you feel your English is not quite good enough for the English language portion of the directory, please consider applying for a category in the Svenska branch. We have many editors working in the World/ branches in languages other than English and their contributions are greatly valued. /images/icons/smile.gif

Tim

 

[stevesliva]

<< This is not my personal experience but what I have gathered after reading some posts on other Internet forums. >>

Some very embittered folks, many of them fired editors, have a large prescence in other fora. In one particular instance, a fired editor with a very obvious ax to grind is the moderator! That, in addition to the cloud of mystery surrounding the inner workings of the ODP, was perhaps the primary impetus in starting this forum.

 

I am aware of http://dmoz.org/World/Svenska/ but I haven't actually had a look at the categories yet. If I am rejected because my English is not up to scratch I might apply to a Swedish category. I just hope that the editor that reviews my application gives me the reason for the rejection, because I also have a commercial interest in the category I applied to, so that might be another reason for rejection. Anyway, we will see what happens. Thanks for all your encouraging comments. /images/icons/smile.gif

<< Some very embittered folks, many of them fired editors, have a large prescence in other fora. In one particular instance, a fired editor with a very obvious ax to grind is the moderator! That, in addition to the cloud of mystery surrounding the inner workings of the ODP, was perhaps the primary impetus in starting this forum. >>

There is always a lot of misinformation on the Internet, but it I think it is very important to make sure that there is a place where people can find accurate information and "the truth". If the people that know the truth keep quite, the misinformation will spread rapidly. This forum provides that "fountain of truth" that was needed. /images/icons/smile.gif

 

[windharp]

A personal interest is rarely a reason for rejection, except if:
* you didnt state it in the form and the Meta found out (honest editors preferred /images/icons/wink.gif )
* it is for one of the cats where spamming is common all over the internet

[Edit: added from here]

If you guess the second one might be the case just apply for another category, get some editing practice. If Meta-Editors see you are doing a good job its more likely that you can edit that part too /images/icons/smile.gif

 

I can't see the point of not revealing a commercial connection with a category where you apply to become an editor, so yes I did state it in the form. Surely the Meta editors would discover any association pretty quickly if someone didn't reveal an interest and then start to modify their own web site description?

I don't believe that the category I applied to is considered a "high spam category", though there is a fair amount of search engine spam from some web sites in this field.

I applied to this particular category because I noticed that it didn't have an editor when I submitted our web site, and because I felt that this is an area where I have experience and could contribute something of value. However, if I don't get accepted I would be more than happy to edit a category related to one of my hobbies instead. My only commercial interest in any golfing related category would be that I am a professional golfer and have just won the US Open. ***Wakes up shortly afterwards, soaked in sweat and with the realisation that I am still stuck with my 20 handicap.*** /images/icons/smile.gif

Albert