For sure! What I am looking at directories other than dmoz, yahoo, zeal etc. For eg we see number of directories coming up daily and there are some of the best looking and well established directories. There are few in them who have best categorization!
Lol, I was confused by the avatars.. You could check these web directories, dir.yahoo.com, site-sift.com, dirspace.com, alivedirectory.com, azook.com, kingbloom.com, sevenseek.com, adifind.com, categorizedweb.com, thisisouryear.com, botw.org, for extensive categories.
We have 2,489 categories so far, not as extensive as most directories, however we do allow new category suggestions..
I'm not sure what you mean with broad, but deep is good. Check this pyramide http://www.searchengineworld.com/engine/theme_pyramids.htm for instance about site structure.
By broad I mean just a one or two level deep but having a lot of sites in that. There are certain directories that I have noticed that just have first level category and have almost all sites listed in that. Thats a different fact they might just have max of 10 listings.
In that case I would definitly go for deep categories, with just a few listings in each category. Take a look at botw.org, one of the best examples.
I want to pose one question...do you think it is wise to copy the category structure of another directory? (could that have a negative affect on SEO?)
No, I don't think it wise to exactly copy the category structure of a web directory. Category patterns, out of spiders point of view, can be recongized and stated as duplicate. And more important to make a web directory stand out in the crowd you should create original category structures, rather than another dmoz category import into a web directory script, imo that´s totally useless because as one man you can never build sush a large web directory as dmoz so you´ll end up with thousands of empty categories.
You know... the more and more I read your posts I say to myself "WOW people really need to listen to him" Another great post and he's dead on the money.
I wouldn't say it will be recognized and stated as duplicate as long as your links are not identical to those of the directory whos category layout you copied. Your structure would pretty much have to be identical including your links, layout, etc. I've yet to hear of a directory who was penalized for duplicate content... Have you ? With that said I do agree, I would be original as possible w/ starting a new directory. Especially nowadays since there are so many out there.
what will you do if someone copy your entire category listing and not asking a permission to copy the list ? just thinking
I was just adding categories to my directory: http://www.downloadsupersite.com/links I think that linkmarket's categories are great and comprehensive.
I think search engines like directories with no empty categories. I'm not sure they care about width or depth. As a submitter, though I don't want my site buried too deep... As for directory structure, add categories as you need them.