becoming a DMOZ editor

[nlopes]

I was considering in becoming a DMOZ editor. But, just a couple of questions:

1) How many time does it take so that you application is accepted?
2) Do you need to re-submit your application?
3) What is better: *) apply to a low-traffic category and then apply to more categories
-or-
*) apply just to the category you want?
4) Is it easy to apply to more categories when you already have an account?
5) Can you edit/add other's categories?

Thanks,
Nuno

[Old Welsh Guy]

Nlopes, I would say that becoming a DMOZ editor is a lottery. I have applied a few times, I applied to a cat in my own area with 50 sites, and no editor. I wrote the application twice myself and was refused. The thrid time a friend of mine who is a senior editor wrote the application, two other DOMZ editors checked it over and both said that they would have no problem approving the app. It was STILL refused.

I gave up, I decided that there must be some hidden agenda in the mind of SOME odp editors who are empire building, and not willing to 'let go' of their little piece of the web.

There are a clear set of notes and advice for application to become an editor. Read them, and stick to them. I hope you have more luck than I and many others like me have had. http://dmoz.org/cgi-bin/apply.cgi?where=/

All the best

OWG

[digitalpoint]

I got accepted after my 3rd or 4th application. But even then I didn't really understand what they were looking for, so I was denied my first 3 requests for an extra category. But I finally realized what they want, and have since been accepted for lots of additional categories.

Your best bet is definitely applying for a small category first and a category that is not mostly spam (SEO/marketing, adult, affiliate stuff, etc.)

- Shawn

[Will.Spencer]

I was considering in becoming a DMOZ editor.

Breathe deeply. Count to one thousand.

Practice that, you'll be doing it a lot.

1) How many time does it take so that you application is accepted?

That is almost completely random. :mad:


2) Do you need to re-submit your application?

Yes, every time it is rejected, you must re-submit. Remember to save your application locally before you press <SUBMIT>.

3) What is better: *) apply to a low-traffic category and then apply to more categories
-or-
*) apply just to the category you want?


It is definitely best to apply for a category NO ONE wants. It is best to apply for a category as far down the geographic hierarchy as possible.

4) Is it easy to apply to more categories when you already have an account?

Well, it is easier than doing so as an outsider!


5) Can you edit/add other's categories?

Not until you become a senior editor.

For more information, visit http://dmoz.org/help/become.html

[nlopes]

Thank you all!
Nuno

[schlottke]

It took me 4 tries to get my catagory. I don't think there is an 'empire building' they are just extremely selective. One spelling, grammer, or other error and "YOU'RE FIRED"

[disgust]

I got in pretty fast actually. they're usually good about looking at applications, I never had to wait more than a few days.

if you pick a big, big category, it'll be hard to get in. start with something small to medium sized.

although it can be hard to get started with the small ones. I went from a small, to a greenbuster.

[nlopes]

I'm waiting for the answer at almost a month.
DMOZ is so slow......

[Dominic]

But I finally realized what they want, and have since been accepted for lots of additional categories.

What is it that they want - that you have done - that has made you acceptable for the aditional categories?

[digitalpoint]

Best thing I did was actually read the general editing guidelines and the category specific guidelines. Then I read them again.

[respree]

If I may ask, I was wondering if some of you wouldn't mind sharing your motivation for becoming an editor. Does this take a lot of your time?

[digitalpoint]

Something to do... {shrug} And yeah, it takes some time.

[ViciousSummer]

If I may ask, I was wondering if some of you wouldn't mind sharing your motivation for becoming an editor. Does this take a lot of your time?
It seems like you need to be an editor to get your site into DMOZ, nowadays. I know my site was approved the day after I became an editor (well, I approved it...hehe).

It takes a bit of time (2 hours?) to "clean up" your category, but after that it's pretty effortless. I've only had one submission in about 2 months since I finished the clean up stage.

[Chatmaster]

I don't want to sound soggy, but I enjoy doing it. Especialy because I am editing my competitor sites, I learn allot from their sites :D . Besides, someone had to jump in and help to get my sites listed! :cool:

[paulhiles]

There are certainly plenty of rewards (outside of submitting your own sites). For one thing, you're able to review new and upcoming sites, it gives you a broader view of the current state of your category. The bottom line is, however lowly the category, you do feel as though you're making a difference.. however minute that contribution may actually be! :)

[moomooo]

I was also going to apply to edit DMOZ.
I'd prefer to do as some posters have said and edit in my own category (which my site would be) but you have to submit the URL's of all sites you own... wouldn't they look at that and say NO?

[crowbar]

I was also going to apply to edit DMOZ.
I'd prefer to do as some posters have said and edit in my own category (which my site would be) but you have to submit the URL's of all sites you own... wouldn't they look at that and say NO?

Not neccessarily, but not naming them will definately get you a no, ;). If your only reason is to get your site listed, it might not be a very good motivation for applying. If your site doesn't belong in a very small category, (which is where every editor starts out), or it doesn't belong in the category you apply for, or you apply for a category that's too large for a new editor, then using it as a sample site would show you haven't read the information below, or our Guidelines. http://www.dmoz.org/guidelines/

http://www.resource-zone.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_editor#faq_faq_become

http://www.dmoz.org/help/become.html

If any of you do become editors to get your own personal site listed, and I'm not saying that's a completely bad motivation, (just not a very selfless one), at least stay long enough to think of others and clean up and build that category up a little and leave it better than you found it.

Also, visit the Internal forums and see for yourself what kind of people we really are, how we operate, what our motivations are, and the size of the job we're doing.

Take advantage of your access to find out what the truth is, and then tell the truth once you've timed out for lack of activity, or better yet, stay with us and become more involved in editing. ;)

[robjones]

Well, Crowbar, on the bright side... as all of the comments above but one were made in 2004 I doubt they're waiting for a reply. Must be National Bump an Ancient Thread Week. Damn... I missed the memo. :)

[crowbar]

I'm thinkin they'll be back, probably still waitin for their applications to go through, :D.

[ecctao]

I send my apply but no answer!

[debunker]

good luck with getting applied, its usually only oxford math grads that get positions.

[Qryztufre]

good luck with getting applied, its usually only oxford math grads that get positions.

Can I get the source of your statistics, and maybe some additional proof that I am an Oxford Math Grad... as that would really help me find a job. :rolleyes:

I don't know why you picked the name 'debunker' unless of course you are just posting to be debunked. Please refrain from posting lies and/or false information in the future, as when you post something the burden of proof is upon you to back up what is posted.

Without such proof, you just look silly. For instance, how many of the people that have graduated oxford really make up the 75,151 editors that have been accepted?

The best way to become an editor is to simply fill out the application using sites that are not listed within the directory but that fit with being listed. it also really helps to follow the guidelines in filling in the site titles and descriptions. Not all that much math involved really, in fact, had there been math on the application I likely would have been rejected ;)

[popotalk]

good luck with getting applied, its usually only oxford math grads that get positions.
Yikes. Do I qualify as a summa cum laude as I got accepted multiple times. :D

Seriously as long as you know how to make a good description and knows your subject area very well, the chances of approval are good for anyone. It doesn't take a graduate of a prestigious school to be accepted. Many have tried and succeeded and if you won't you will never know.

[Rezo]

I applied today for the personal blog category at letter R and after half of hour got my denial email.

ROFL

[Qryztufre]

What was the reason?

[Rezo]

What was the reason?

They don't write the exact reason, just list the general ones:

* 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.

[Qryztufre]

Well, which reason do you think it was?

[popotalk]

Lol Rezo. Knowing you might be guilty of all of it. :p

If I were you go back to the category you've applied for study the descriptions and be honest dude. :D

[Rezo]

Well, which reason do you think it was?

I think it's because :

* 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.

My personal blog starts with R. It's one of the reasons that brought me to that category, but I applied there because I thought it's an easy one to get in so I can later proceed the more advanced ones.

:p

I am re-applying for another letter, let's see if it'll work this time.

[Anonymously]

You are allowed to apply for a category using your own site, so it is not just that, or Q would not have got in for that reason as well as not being a Cambridge graduate.:D

[shadow575]

Not sure what category you are talking about but if you are talking about http://www.dmoz.org/Society/People/Personal_Homepages/Weblogs/R/ its probably going to be to broad for a new editor to start out in. There are over 100 listed sites and the likely to receive too many suggested sites (and miss-suggested sites) for an editor trainee to begin with.

Applying to a smaller letter area like "O" for example is more likely to be an acceptable place for a new editor to begin. Less than 100 listed sites in the category being applied to is the normal recommendation, 50-75 listed sites is a better suggestion in most cases.

[shadow575]

My personal blog starts with R. It's one of the reasons that brought me to that category, but I applied there because I thought it's an easy one to get in so I can later proceed the more advanced ones.

:p

I am re-applying for another letter, let's see if it'll work this time.Sheesh you all are fast typers, or I am still frozen from the 1 F degree temps this morning. Having a site that would be or is included in the category is not a problem. Having many undeclared ones might be though. ;) Without knowing the category or having seen your application, I would guess that you either didn't supply samples sites that would be listed in that category (or perhaps they are already listed) or more likely the category was just deemed to broad for a trainee. Reapplying for a smaller letter category would be the best advice.

[Rezo]

ROFL here's the response for the application on the other letter:


Thank you for your interest in becoming an Open Directory Project editor!
Although we would like you to join us as a volunteer editor, you have
chosen a category that is already well represented, or is broader than
we typically assign to a new editor. We would encourage you to re-apply
for a category that has fewer editors or is smaller in scope, in order
to increase your chances of being accepted.

Feel free to reapply by submitting an application in another area.
If you wish to re-apply, you must fill out another application.
Please do not reply to this email.

Regards,
The Open Directory Project

Additional reviewer comments:

The category you applied for is larger than we like to assign to a new editor, still learning the ropes. The appropriate size for a first category depends on the nature of the category (for example, how much spam it attracts, and whether site placement decisions are straightforward or tricky) but as a rule of thumb, categories with at least 15 sites (so that you can actively edit and gain experience) but fewer than 70-100 sites are good choices.

[shadow575]

Go figure, I nailed it. :D

Which letter did you try out this time?

[crowbar]

good luck with getting applied, its usually only oxford math grads that get positions

One year of high school here, so I guess you don't need to be too smart to become an editor, ;).

[Anonymously]

One year of high school here, so I guess you don't need to be too smart to become an editor, ;).

Don't tempt us to a comment;)

[PinkyRing]

I was rejected because i didnt disclose the sites that I am affiliated with, I have a lot of sites that have nothing to do with the category I am wanting to review, is it really necessary to list them all?
and how should you present them? I basically put: abc.com - owner , xyz.com -partner ... is this sufficient or should one describe their affiliation more thoroughly?

[wvabra]

I too, still one month ago :)

[budalata]

have a lot of sites that have nothing to do with the category I am wanting to review

It is so, but now. What if you receive more editing privs later?

is it really necessary to list them all?
Yes, its free ;)

I basically put: abc.com - owner , xyz.com -partner ... is this sufficient or should one describe their affiliation more thoroughly
More information is more, but IMHO even with short descriptions there wont be a problem.

Wish you luck with your next application :)

[jimnoble]

A straight list of URLs is fine. We like descriptions such as owner, client, wrote content but don't need them. Anything more than that is definitely overkill (We have to read this stuff :)).

The main thing is to ensure that the list is complete ;).

[Cedik]

I got accepted in about 3 weeks! I was very glad but I do not have so much work to do :))
I only have one section, but it's the one I wanted!

[websys]

It is so, but now. What if you receive more editing privs later?
Yes, its free ;)


Just added 2-3 more of mine , while at it ;) one of them i had supplied in my application ... just noticed it never got in there :rolleyes:

[Anonymously]

I got accepted in about 3 weeks! I was very glad but I do not have so much work to do :))
I only have one section, but it's the one I wanted!

I hope you have been off mining and not just looked at the greens (submitted sites). Also if you have now got the hang of it why not ask for a bigger cat?

[Cedik]

I hope you have been off mining and not just looked at the greens (submitted sites). Also if you have now got the hang of it why not ask for a bigger cat?

Well, I submitted for the editor post because I knew all the sites that were fit to go in that category (it was a regional section and I knew all the important sites from my country that were about that topic). About asking for other categories... maybe :P
I did not apply for an editor position to become an editor,but because I wanted to be an editor for that section in particularly and I thought that I was able to help promoting the phenomenon. :)

[Anonymously]

About asking for other categories... maybe :P
I did not apply for an editor position to become an editor,but because I wanted to be an editor for that section in particularly and I thought that I was able to help promoting the phenomenon. :)

Many rditors do exactly that and want tolook after their town or village, fantastic, it gets looked after well. Trouble is for some of us we sort of get so that we to do a bit more and a bit more ......and before long the editor dash has many more categories than what one envisaged when starting. 9 years ago I just wanted to look after a small section in which I had a special interest, now the whole flippin directory appears on my dash!:rolleyes:

Enjoy your editing.:)

[ryno33]

Is a DMOZ editor a paid position?

I just checked out the site for the first time today and was thinking about applying, but only if it is a paid position.

[Qryztufre]

Yes, but the payment is your gratification of helping the internet community as a whole. Though, no, there is no cash involved.

[Anonymously]

There is a lot of payment, we get incredible flack for all the things we don't do with our spare time. Cynical, but true.

Fortunately it is extremely rewarding in seeing categories come together, creating new categories and moving the brain cells around to wonder where to put that particular site. Don't join if you don't want to risk getting hooked.

[Ivan Bajlo]

Don't join if you don't want to risk getting hooked.

And if you are grudge-bearer since you will become obsessed with revenge when they remove you for the reason only they know. :p

[gary1974]

I applied once before and have been rejected. Will it hurt to apply again ?

[kh7]

I applied once before and have been rejected. Will it hurt to apply again ?

That depends on why you were turned down. Do take care in your application - I mean: find three sites for the category you are applying for that actually do fit there. Create really fitting descriptions. Don't start too big: apply for a small category at first. You can always move up the chain if you prove you can handle it.

[gary1974]

You were right, I was careless in my application as I thought suggesting good sites was enough to do that. I did not state clearly all my affiliations. Speaking of which, should I include the sites that I worked for in SEO ? That would be a fair amount of sites and some of which I couldn't even recall anymore ?

Also I was thinking of applying here http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/Philippines/Provinces/Batangas/. Is this a category small enough to start ?

[Qryztufre]

You were right, I was careless in my application as I thought suggesting good sites was enough to do that. I did not state clearly all my affiliations. Speaking of which, should I include the sites that I worked for in SEO ? That would be a fair amount of sites and some of which I couldn't even recall anymore ?


Technically yes, all must be listed... though there is not enough room on the application (if I recall correctly). Put the main site you were with, and then any sites related to the category.

Then again, heh, I brought up another editor that is a professional link builder, and many of the editors that posted in that thread seemed to think differently *shrug*

Regardless though, the key is to be open & honest on the application and then on the affiliates thingie you'll fill out once accepted (it is working by now I hope).

Being an SEO should not stop you from being accepted, they say that it's fine & dandy right in the guidelines...
Q

[budalata]

Originally Posted by gary1974
I applied once before and have been rejected. Will it hurt to apply again ?
Its harmless :)


I did not state clearly all my affiliations. Speaking of which, should I include the sites that I worked for in SEO ?

It will be better to include all the sites you have relations with. And to clarify what kind of relation. This also doesnt hurt. And pointing them is not reason for rejection.

Also I was thinking of applying here http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/Ph...nces/Batangas/. Is this a category small enough to start ?

Seems to me that this cat is fine for beginning.

Wish you luck, and allow mysesf to give you only one advice: when applying, use same name as in previous application, and point that your previous application was denied because of: I did not state clearly all my affiliations

Regards

[jimnoble]

To respond to some of Q's comments:
Technically yes, all must be listedActually, all must be listed.
though there is not enough room on the application (if I recall correctly).You don't. It's a text box that scrolls if it needs to. I've seen folks declare hundreds of domains in it.
Put the main site you were with, and then any sites related to the category.Wrong. Following Q's advice would be to risk having your application declined on integrity grounds - which makes any subsequent attempts less likely to succeed (He lied last time. What's he lying about now?).

[Qryztufre]

Wrong. Following Q's advice would be to risk having your application declined on integrity grounds

Follow Jim's advice... seems my sources are invalid *mutters*

(Source (http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=515800) it was implied within that thread that the editor did not need to list all of his SEO clients, so I am sorry for misleading here)

[kh7]

That category is certainly small enough as it has only 13 sites mentioned right now. It would be a good place to start. Fill that and show that you understand the differences between the subcategories, know how to find sites for the category yourself, can write decent descriptions - and it's a very good ticket to getting more editing privileges.

Do list all the affiliated sites you can think of, but if you can't remember them - don't worry about the ODP finding out that you are affiliated. They really can't expect you to remember all. I'm just being realistic here: there is always a difference between the letter of the law and actual practice. Do as best you can to get close to abiding by the letter, but don't feel too bad about forgetting one. You can always go back and add it later.

Do list the main sites you're involved with and certainly any sites you intend on listing in that category you want to edit. And make sure that you don't only add sites you're affiliated with. I'd not put more than one site I'm affiliated with in the original application - make the other two ones that just deserve to be listed.

Personally - whenever I add a site I'm affiliated with to a category, I make sure I also clean up the unreviews or at least add a few of the waiting sites there as well (depending on the amount of sites waiting in unreviewed). It would be plain unfair to only list sites of acquaintances, just cause I can.

[tahtimbo]

I have been thinking of becoming an editor, but can anyone tell me what the benefits to becoming one are?

[Qryztufre]

I have been thinking of becoming an editor, but can anyone tell me what the benefits to becoming one are?

The joy of collecting and listing sites that interest you within the worlds largest human edited directory? The wonderful sense of community where you will be surrounded by friendly and helpful editors? Or like many, to get your site finally listed within a system that often takes years for it to even get looked at.

[crowbar]

Only the fun of doing it, and the satisfaction of doing a good job, nothing else, not even a thank you. :) The reward is that it's fun, interesting, and you get a lot of self satisfaction taking a category with only 4 sites in it, and finding a hundred more.