I would have to agree it is BS, I couldn't care less about semi auto provided someone has put an effort into writing a decent site description instead of an advert, and provided the descriptions are somewhat unique, well as far unique as you can get, I mean theres only so many ways to describe the same website..
Indeed i have been long enough on the web earning my daily income to know that 98% of the manual submissions aren't manual at all. Fact.
Try to visit www.rajpromotions.com. Their directory submission are truely manual and at a affordable price too.
yes, 100% of those service provider stated their work are manually but i do not think they would sit 24hr to submit those site to 1000 or 2000 directories. they are surely use automatic soft to ease their work. Furthermore, Those submitter would get much benefit as well as each time they submitted, they will need you to confirm the link too
well guys there are lots of threads over DP regarding 1k,2k,4k directories submission.And none of them use any automated tool.Most of the users who start the thread are noobs and think its the easiest way to earn some money.As it does not require much talent just monotonous work.however there service never lasts.Thats the reason there is no successful thread on DP for directory submission.