Permanent redirect got site dropped

againstthem · Sep 26, 2005

Hey everyone, this is my first post, so pleasedonthitme iamanewbie!

We run a fantastic, no-spam, quality site http://www.ashevillecabinrental.com that used to be http://www.saludamountainlake.com and we decided to change URLs, for obvious reasons.

We enjoyed a beautiful no-frills categorically great listing in DMOZ since last year, until the redirect! All of a sudden, we're no longer in the site, anywhere, I have searched quite a bit to no avail.

The category we were previously in was "Top: Regional: North America: United States: North Carolina: Localities: S: Saluda: Travel and Tourism: Lodging: Vacation Rentals" - but no longer there.

I have waited a bit of time, and am confused as to why this could happen. Any thoughts, anyone? (And BTW if anyone can do anything, we are more properly in Asheville, Not Saluda)

hutcheson · Sep 26, 2005

Yes, a redirect will cause a re-review. You may resuggest the site, and I would STRONGLY suggest that it will save you time and have the same effect in the end if you submit to the CORRECT regional category, which would be the town the cabin is IN, not the town it is "thirty miles from".

againstthem · Sep 26, 2005

I have...

I have re-suggested the site, but contrary to what you said, I suggested it for Asheville, not Saluda. Should I re-submit, in the Saluda category, or just wait it out?

I'm really hurting here...

hutcheson · Sep 26, 2005

I think it'll likely save you some waiting time and probably not waste much editors' time to re-suggest to the right place. But neither option is horrible.

againstthem · Sep 27, 2005

Thanks

Thank you for your help. Any categories you guys need help with, aka becoming an editor of something I know that is understaffed?

hutcheson · Sep 27, 2005

The rule of thumb is: we always need help with any category (no matter how many editors it has, no matter how few submittals it gets) if there is some public-spirited soul out there who says "I can't stand the state of that category; I'll give up my own time and energy to make it better."

So: what category cries out to YOU for help?

The usual hints apply: check your hometown and nearby 'burgs. your hobbies. things you often buy online. all the things (and I trust, if you think about it, there will turn out to be a LOT of them) that make you something more than an inefficient machine for converting cash and plant matter into debt and plant fertilizer.

You tell us. What do we need help -- YOUR help -- with?

againstthem · Sep 27, 2005

You really need my help!

Thanks for the guidance, I'll definitely keep that in mind when trying to become an editor. The problem I have run into (3 times now!) is that I keep getting my application denied. The first time, the reviewer offered comments and said my suggested sites already existed. This clued me in, and now I get the point of the project.

Next issue: got rejected twice again, with no comments this time to know why they didn't like me. No idea what happened, just got rejected, and fairly quickly to boot! They were all in regional areas in which I live, I guess they don't need me.

I will try some other cats, does it matter if I keep submitting the application with the same name, are they logging my IP and hating on me?

Thoughts anyone?

hutcheson · Sep 27, 2005

No, using the same name shows both honesty and determination -- no problem with that.

jimnoble · Sep 27, 2005

with no comments this time

The standard email includes the following common reasons. The reviewer usually adds specific comments if the standard list doesn't include the specific reasons.

Incomplete application. Insufficient information has been provided in some fields including reason, affiliation and/or Sample URLs.
Improper spelling and grammar.
Sample URLs are inappropriate for the category which one has applied to edit. They may be too broad, too narrow, completely out of scope, poor quality, or in a language inappropriate for the category. All non-English sites are listed in the World category. Applications for World categories that include sites only in English will be denied. Likewise, applications for World categories that include sample URLs in languages other than the one appropriate for the applied category will be denied.
Not properly disclosing affiliations with websites that are, or have the potential of being, listed in the category.
Titles and descriptions of sample URLs (and other information provided) were subjective and promotional rather than unbiased and objective. ODP editors do not rank or write website reviews. ODP editors provide objective and unbiased descriptions of websites and their content.
Self-Promotion. Application which leads us to believe that the candidate is interested primarily in promoting his/her own sites or those with which the applicant is affiliated. The ODP is not a marketing tool, and should not be used to circumvent the site submission process. If this is an applicant's motivation for joining, then we ask him/her not to apply. Editors found to be inappropriately promoting their own site will be promptly removed.

I figure that anyone with the qualities needed to be an effective editor should be able to figure out which ones apply for themselves

.

againstthem · Sep 27, 2005

This is great info!

Thanks for everyone's help on this kind of thing, I have been trying my best to fall within the guidelines set forth in the 'becoming an editor' section to the best of my ability.

I am assuming the main reason that I continue to get denied may be my personal affiliation with many area sites that would benefit by being added to the ODP, and the ODP would benefit from them.

I guess the issue remains that someone fears I will use it for marketing purposes, but this just isn't the case. Our town is developing, and could use as much help as possible.

I will continue to submit applications and hopefully one day, someone will realize the merit of my effort

Thanks!

Alucard · Sep 27, 2005

Show the ODP that you are willing to add more than sites to which you are affiliated.

One way to show that is to not include any of them as examples in your application (but declare them as affiliations).

Not a silver bullet, but a tip.

againstthem · Sep 27, 2005

Sounds wunderbar

Beautiful, and the kind of answer I had expected. I did something similar to this on my second attempt, but still may have faltered a bit.

I aim to keep trucking!

I'll tell you what, this has been the best forum experience ever. What a great community of nerds! :-D

Alucard · Sep 27, 2005

againstthem said:
I'll tell you what, this has been the best forum experience ever. What a great community of nerds! :-D

Er.. thanks?

DesertJules · Sep 28, 2005

Originally Posted by againstthem
I'll tell you what, this has been the best forum experience ever. What a great community of nerds! :-D

Hey! I resemble that remark!!

Permanent redirect got site dropped

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