DMOZ is dying, why not start a new ODP?

Discussion in 'ODP / DMOZ' started by bobisawsome7, Jan 1, 2007.

  1. #1
    I honestly think it would be a good idea if someone started a new ODP. DMOZ is too corrupted right now as I hear, and been down to new submissions for nearly 4 months.

    I think a new ODP with many people involved could easily get to what DMOZ is..well was back in the day.

    Think about it, and share your ideas, comments & suggestions.
     
    bobisawsome7, Jan 1, 2007 IP
  2. solomonrothman

    solomonrothman Member

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    #2
    solomonrothman, Jan 1, 2007 IP
  3. stOx

    stOx Notable Member

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    #3
    DMOZ should definately be shut down. Nobody sees it as a useful resource any more.
    When was the last time you went to a directory instead of a search engine too find a site?

    The only reason i keep my directory open is because people continue to pay for submitions.

    DMOZ is a web 0.1 site on a web 2.0 internet.
     
    stOx, Jan 1, 2007 IP
  4. iceberg

    iceberg Notable Member

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    #4
    Find a sponsor first, then I will definitely try my best. ;)
     
    iceberg, Jan 1, 2007 IP
  5. brizzie

    brizzie Peon

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    #5
    Based on the original ODP concept that the project lists unique high quality sites only, for the benefit of surfers alone, regardless of the marketing desires of webmasters?

    Sort of betrays the intent really. Your concern is that your site isn't listed rather than the interests of surfers sick of spam and affiliates, isn't it? That thought would be incompatible with a new ODP. That isn't to say there isn't a possible case for a free-for-all directory edited with no rules by webmasters with an eye on marketing but it wouldn't be an ODP or anything like it.
     
    brizzie, Jan 1, 2007 IP
  6. CymaxStores

    CymaxStores Guest

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    #6
    A new ODP won't necessarily solve anything. It would be a big sink in terms of resources and for not much reward other than reputation.

    A new ODP would need:
    - A big name and reputation to get it not laughed out of the room (e.g. Microsoft, Google, Yahoo... Wikipedia? Opera? Netscape?)
    - Enough money to be considered unimpeachable when it comes to the temptation of engaging in fiduciary malfeasance
    - Enough "good will" to make people want to edit directory submissions for them, since a properly conceived new ODP would theoretically remove corruption/cash incentives for volunteer editors

    The problem with an ODP is that the entities that have the means to do it don't really need to do it because they already have lots of publicity, reputation, and community feeling (e.g. the large software companies, search engines, etc.). On the other hand the people who don't have the means would only be interested in monetizing it (thousands of attempts at monetized directories litter the internet) or using it to get preferential listings for their own projects/friends of projects.

    Really what people seem to mean (around here anyway) when they say "man DMOZ is no good anymore someone should replace it" is "I need another high PR directory that is FREE". I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.
     
    CymaxStores, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  7. Crazy_Rob

    Crazy_Rob I seen't it!

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    #7
    Does the Web really need directories?
     
    Crazy_Rob, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  8. iceberg

    iceberg Notable Member

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    #8
    No, it only needs a few more Crazy Robs. ;)
     
    iceberg, Jan 2, 2007 IP
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  9. alecs

    alecs Well-Known Member

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    #9
    Good point Rob. We don't need them.
    They're only used by webmasters and crawlers anyway, so there's no actual need for a new ODP.
     
    alecs, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  10. Freewebspace

    Freewebspace Notable Member

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    #10
    No there will be a need for directories but with a different approach

    Like mine's

    here I go I have started a directory called www.bigoole.com

    where one can search for the keywords

    A directory with keywords and not categories thats What!
     
    Freewebspace, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  11. falcondriver

    falcondriver Well-Known Member

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    #11
    no, not gonna happen.
    dmoz is free, if you wanna start another dmoz is must be also free for everyone. dmoz has a few (50?) million sites listed in xx.xxx categories - you need at least 1 million GOOD(!) sites listed in your directory before you can start to take over dmoz' position. and there are still a lot of dmoz clones or sites who use dmoz data, some of them are large internet providers (aol plus some other national or regional providers all over the world) and the google directory, why should they switch to another dmoz-like site?
     
    falcondriver, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  12. alecs

    alecs Well-Known Member

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    #12
    I really doubt it. That's the same thing as typing in Google "search terms site:yourdirectory.com"
    Honestly, who uses directories to search for anything these days...
     
    alecs, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  13. coolsitez

    coolsitez Well-Known Member

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    #13
    No one will use directories to search unless they become as big as search engines. But directories can maintain their popularity as "link submission sites" for webmasters.

    I think another attempt to create ODP can be interesting though there is no guarantee it would succeed. Dmoz is down, then there is a chance for another ODP.
     
    coolsitez, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  14. jdR!pper

    jdR!pper Peon

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    #14
    I don't think creating a new ODP would be necessary. But a lot of people are just really pissed (including me) because their sites can't get approved and listed in it. Or worse is, sites can't even get a shot in being approved because it no longer accepts submissions.
     
    jdR!pper, Jan 3, 2007 IP
  15. widewebtalk

    widewebtalk Peon

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    #15
    I also agree directory's are not really needed i never use them and never really had the need to.
     
    widewebtalk, Jan 3, 2007 IP
  16. kh7

    kh7 Peon

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    #16
    I actually still have DMOZ in the top 20 referrers to my site. It's not totally useless yet.
    Creating a directory for webmasters won't blow DMOZ out of the water. Creating something for users might - but then even stuff that was created for users will be used by webmasters as well (delicio, digg, stumbleupon etc.).
     
    kh7, Jan 3, 2007 IP
  17. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #17
    Not the big huge all-purpose directories, no. Those were only useful when there were no decent search engines. I've been saying for a couple of years now that I think the day of the general directory has come and gone, other than from the point of view of link farming.

    However, I do see a purpose for niche directories, provided they are human edited for QUALITY and not just "pay me and you're listed". I own a couple and I use other niche directories when I find good ones.
     
    minstrel, Jan 3, 2007 IP
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  18. Crazy_Rob

    Crazy_Rob I seen't it!

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    #18
    I agree.

    I often use the local golf course directories to find golf course phone numbers, ratings and general info.
     
    Crazy_Rob, Jan 3, 2007 IP
  19. Coupons

    Coupons Active Member

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    #19
    I think that a good directory, not slow as a snail like Dmoz or very expensive like Yahoo, have it's purpose, but many other players have tried it in the last years, and these 2 still stand.
    I started my own 7 years ago, and just switched it to Google search. I couldn't give results for most strange searches...
     
    Coupons, Jan 3, 2007 IP
  20. jinx

    jinx Peon

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    #20
    Freewebspace - looks like a load of steaming hype there - Worlds Largest Directory, hah!
     
    jinx, Jan 3, 2007 IP