Any idea to become a editor of DMOZ??

Any idea to become a editor of DMOZ??

 

1) Find a category that you would like to maintain.

2)Follow the Become an Editor link at the top of the category page

 

3- Wait for an answer... and wait... and wait... and wait... keep waiting... a bit more... ok, you get the point

 

Thanks. I will think about it.!!!!

 

i got in by putting in an application for my hometown area that i specialize in (industrial) because i work in a cabinet shop. i got accepted really quick. lol, its overwhelming though, every time i add a site the man watching over me(bob) rejects my submissions and tells me whats wrong with them. im really starting to feel like a moron. =[

 

So you're undergoing moronship versus mentorship?

 

I've been there and I've felt like that, I think we all have so don't let it get you down, it's normal.

There's a lot more to learn than most people realize. The key thing is the guy watching over you is telling you what's wrong with your additions. Also, if he's doing it correctly, he's not rejecting your additions, just unreviewing them and telling you why; this is to help you learn. He expects you to fix them according to guidelines and then relist them. Plus, for what it's worth, all the editors I know who are named Bob are terrific people.

If you hang in there you'll soon know exactly what to do, plus we have forums for new editors to ask questions. Don't hesitate to ask questions of your mentor, in the forums, or of any other editor. If you like you can send me feedback and I'd be happy to give you a hand as well. My editor name is compostannie. I'm coming up on my 5 year anniversary with the ODP and I'm still learning, but that's what keeps it interesting.

Welcome to the ODP.

 

LOL, I underwent moronship.

I felt overwhelmed and didn't ask questions so I struggled in my little corner for almost 2 years before an editor (named bob, btw) noticed me and encouraged me to take on more. Now I have over 70,000 edits. I'm living proof that even moronship can be overcome if you just keep trying to do your best.

 

Good for you and congrats. That's what I like to call, "Don't Get Discouraged - Get Determined!"

 

Sounds as if you are lucky and have found someone who is willing to help as you go. Not all are are lucky enough to have someone look out for them and take the time to help them learn the ropes.

I was one that was-I was fortunate enough to have editors willing to help in both my first category (Society) and also my second (regional) and in both instances I would have been lost starting out otherwise. Both of those editors have moved on, but that is why I continue to offer help to anyone who asks for it. A couple of new editors I have "mentored" are now doing very well and I am much more proud of their accomplishments than my own.

"bob" is a very good editor and you would do well to follow his advice, he will help you figure things out I am sure.

Just my 2-cents

 

That's the impression I'm getting, but then again ... the ones who get accepted stop talking publically about DMOZ once they get in.

 

Well of course, they are too busy adding their sites and deleting the ones of their competitors

 

Given the typical size of category a new editor would get that would take them about 5 minutes. 5 minutes later a meta editor would notice and 5 minutes after that a quorum of meta editors would cancel that editor's account. And a further 5 minutes later the category would be restored back to its former self. That would be 20 minutes wasted all round.

So pick a category suitable for a new editor. If in doubt ask in the Resource Zone. Something less than 30 existing listings and not anything to do with gambling, travel agencies, real estate, financial services, dating, SEO, or any other industry that has a highly competitive and/or spammy reputation. That is why small town and non-commercial categories are often ideal for first time editors. If your business has a highly competitive and/or spammy reputation don't apply for a category where you could list your site.

Read all the guidelines published about how to title and describe sites. Look at the categories around the one you have chosen and see how those sites are titled and described, there may be branch variations. Read everything about what sort of sites are not allowed and don't suggest them. Read the category and branch FAQs, descriptions, etc. and make sure your example sites are exact fits for the category and don't belong in another related or nearby category.

Declare all sites you have any interest in (whether or not they seem related to the category being applied for), and be honest about why you want to be an editor. More is better than less.

Check your spelling and grammar before sending in the application and keep a copy in case it gets lost. Check the examples you have picked are working sites - provide 3 but find at least 6 and pick the best of them.

By all means ask in RZ for an application status but make sure you have read the instructions there and follow them - not following those instructions doesn't bode well for you following the guidelines internally.

Editing skills/potential are far more important than subject knowledge - a good editor can review and list any site on any subject. And it is the editing potential not your experience and knowledge of the subject that is being judged when you apply. You could be President of the USA and still be rejected for a US Government category because of bad spelling, grammar, site placement, and failing to follow description guidelines.

There are a lot more checks undertaken than in times gone by I understand. At one time there was a bit of a backlog for new applications and for existing editors applying for more rights, but I believe applications are being reviewed quicker than a few months back. The more information you give up front about affiliations the easier it is for the meta editors to check.

Good luck!

 

Oh and if you get in find an editor called Bob to help you...

 

That's mean, brizzie. Do you know how many people are now scouring DMOZ pages trying to find Editor Bob?

 

And this statement is based on what exactly? That statment echoes the canned RZ retort of "the only ones who complain about DMOZ are disgruntled webmasters who can't get their sites listed". And it's just not true.

 

If a person was intrigued by ODP and decided to volunteer as an editor, looking at the internal fora reveals the factual basis of certain arguments put forth by the editors here and other public venues. They realize that there is no evidence of rampant corruption, the checks and balances to catch corrupt and self-serving editors are very effective and most of the frustration expressed by webmasters is quite possibly the result of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of ODP’s objectives. There are certain obligations that all editors must honor. One of them is not to divulge any internal communication. This fact and the repeated refusal of certain people to accept the information that is shared by editors tend to discourage the effort in furthering the goal of mutual understanding.

Just my take on this particular issue.

 

Hmmm. Riz, the reason why people don't always accept the information shared by editors is that it often tends to come with a gloss which is not always quite believable. It is efficient at what it was designed to do, it is generally corruption-free, and it has a real community spirit. But it isn't the Mother's Union coffee morning either. It has problems such as ambiguous and out of date guidelines in places, it doesn't communicate itself and its objectives effectively at an official level to the outside world, and sometimes quality control has obviously failed in this category or that. DMOZ could do a lot to improve its public image. But webmasters are not anywhere near the top of DMOZ priorities because it was never designed to provide any kind of service to that group.

I have always taken the view that you should listen to the criticism, try to explain realities, and also acknowledge if someone has a valid point even if they are spitting misplaced venom at you.

 

I agree.

My story on the path to editorship was a bit of a rocky one. I was completely convinced that there was some kind of 'elite' and 'secret society' going on, and I had lots of arguments before as stated, I just gritted my teeth and applied.

I didn't think I had a hope in hell. But I was honest, I applied to a non-commercial area with 20 or so listings within and whoever reviewed my application was obviously more interested in the fact I could offer help in that area, rather than my former misgivings about Dmoz as an organisation.

Once in, I thought I'd be let loose !!! But no. All my first edits were watched very closely. NOT in my case, for the fact I might be de-listing competitors ( well this is a little known 20 site health area we're talking about), but for mistakes I made in the general way I listed things.
This was as simple as listing something that was in the 'Widget' cat, as.... ' a 'widget' that 'widgets loads' and has a lot of 'widgets to offer', you may want to visit if you love 'widgets'. They sounded a bit silly once I read my initial attempts back TBH. But things like that, I felt such a thicko sometimes. But I learned through trial and error and I was never given a hard time about it even though several were pointed out to me and I was asked politely to 'try again with this one'.

Things really need to be described a bit better than that. But you learn, even if it does take a bit of time and a bit of guidance. But no-one is EVER let loose to cause havoc and list OR de-list sites anywhere as they please. Again I edit in a very minor area of the directory, but I am still watched and evaluated on my edits every few weeks with a mentor on hand should I have any doubts, need any questions answering, or to point out that I made a few typo's here and there. I imagine that it is a bit more stringent in the more commercial categories with new editors.

If you want to be an editor then apply somewhere small. Stay away from the really commercial areas for now ( later you may apply obviously ), do your best in finding 3 sites that are not already listed. Any try to emulate the listings already in place description-wise.

"A 'widget' that 'widgets loads' etc...." probably isn't the best way to describe the site to your average surfer. It sounds like a tv commercial.

Simply state what a site is about, ie 'Offers info on blue widgets 'and what it includes without hype, ie 'Also has a discussion forum and pictures' ...in 2 brief sentences is best.
Bugger me ! Most of you webmasters do this already in Adwords campaigns in 2 sentences or less if I've read correctly !
And again, stay away from anywhere too commercialised ( Did I say that 3 times ? no just checked it was only twice.).

Hope this helps. Dmoz really does need more editors on board, it's just a shame so many all try and apply for the really big categories. Start small, just like Adsense, you aint getting anywhere BIG in the first few months of being an editor.
Editing also takes a bit of time and effort to get anywhere. You haven't worked that out yet ?

( Minstrel dont even think about it ).

 

What accomplishments exactly?

Don't they just accept/reject/edit entries all day?

I don't think it's an accomplishment. Anybody can do that IMO.

This sounds like a bunch of people with poles stuck up their asses to me.