Question as to my refusal

Aloha -
I applied to be editor of the web designer category for Hawaii. I received an email saying (not exact quote) "We want to use you but that's a larger category than we usually give to new editors. Please re-apply for a smaller category." Basically, my interpretation was that I would be accepted in a smaller role. So, I re-applied to be editor for this category: http://www.dmoz.com/Regional/North_..._and_Economy/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/ . I then received a email turning me down, for the reason that they believed I was just looking to use the position for my own purposes. I'm confused because:
1. I was given the impression that I would be accepted at this smaller level.
2. As to the 'using for your own purposes', (yes, I am a web designer in Hawaii) I suspect that if you took away the editor's privelige of getting their own sites listed, you would be hard pressed to find editors, at least for some categories.

I'm not angry, just confused. Thanks for any answer(s) that can be offered. Thanks

I suspect that if you took away the editor's privelige of getting their own sites listed

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Wrong, wrong, wrong. I've added thousands of sites, none of them mine. And the same applies to many editors.

And there is no editor's privelige an editor could list their own site, provided it's treated the same as everyone elses in the category, but their is no privilage. In fact, there are some restrictions, in that an editor can never "cool" their site.

Re: Editor privelige

Aloha -
please note that I did say 'some categories'. I do believe there are editors, such as yourself, who do work to add listings, regardless of the ownership. That's why I qualified my statement.
Many non-editors do consider the listing of one's own site a 'privelige' or at least a perk. Being listed in the ODP is a BIG help in SEO/SER. Most people that I know waited 6 mos to a year to be listed, if at all. Therefore becoming an editor does have an attraction. Hopefully, they intend to do their duty expanding the directory, too. Sorry if I offended you- I did not mean to -
jon

bobrat said:

Wrong, wrong, wrong. I've added thousands of sites, none of them mine. And the same applies to many editors.

And there is no editor's privelige an editor could list their own site, provided it's treated the same as everyone elses in the category, but their is no privilage. In fact, there are some restrictions, in that an editor can never "cool" their site.

Click to expand...

You obviously had two different people review your applications. It's too bad that the first person didn't just put you into a smaller category in the first place (or ask you if you'd take a smaller category). It's something that the software allows.

If you apply again please refer to this resource-zone thread in your comments. Maybe that'll help avoid more problems of left hands not talking to right hands.

To disagree somewhat with cleaner, the first email that you got was most likely the default, auto response you would get when we deny an application because the category is too large/broad and not a personal response from the reviewing meta editor. The meta in question most likely did not even bother looking at anything else in your application once they saw that the category was too broad.

While I will admit that the default note can give the impression that everything else about your application was great, that isn't necessarily the case. When you applied for a smaller category, the reviewing editor at that point in time would have actually looked more closely at the application.

In this case, the left hand doesn't need to be talking to the right hand as they are reviewing the application at different levels (a superficial "this is too large and the app isn't horrible" vs a deeper "this is a good size, now is the app at all good?).

My suggestion would be to try for a different subcategory of Honolulu - one that you don't have a personal interest in. These all look like they have potential for growth:

Arts and Entertainment - museums, music, theater, dance
Recreation and Sports - hobbies, sports, outdoor activities
Society and Culture - history, churches, clubs, organizations (rotary, lions clubs, charities, scouting, etc.)

(Remember - these should be located in Honolulu or directly serving only Honolulu, not a larger area.)

After you demonstrate your editing ability, you can apply to edit more categories, including one that you have an interest in.

Make sure you have another look over our guidelines. If you want to apply for the category you have an interest in still, try finding two or three sites that you're not affiliated with. If you're going to use your own as an example, make sure you don't use bias or hype. Treat it as you would another site.