Read about "Team ODP"

So, you are basing your entire opinion on the application system based on taking a quiz at another directory you can't really recall the name too, and having been an editor on other directories? I do not see that as making you over qualified, I see that as you submitting an app with a typo, or maybe a site that didn't belong in the cat, or some other error on your part.

Does this mean that DMOZ has changed or not? Likely not, but then, this is certainly a sign that you are are not willing to try again, and that you are willing to hold a grudge at the first sign of rejection.

Go on, try again... it can't be all that hard, heh... they let me in!
Q

(note: I am no longer an editor)​

 

Totally agree with Q.
As Q. said, believe him - this time

 

no, i'm kind of waiting to see if somebody in this thread has enough internet experience to confirm that the directory in question was look.com.

crowbar already told us why my application was rejected, it clearly didn't have anything to do with grammatical errors, lol.

so no grudge here, what set me off was the arrogant dmoz editor comment that "DMOZ cares not about the middleman, the webmaster"

NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT THE DMOZ, they don't give a rats ass about your website.

 

Not having seen your editor application or your rejection letter, as I'm not a meta, I couldn't really tell you that specifically, danimal. I can tell you, that even after 6 years of editing, if I want to edit in a new category I have to go through the very same process again of applying for it, and there's no guarantee that I would be accepted either.

I'd have to read the rejection letter and improve on anything that might be pointed out to me, or go into to our Help section, and go down a list of things that I could check out myself. These seem to be open to the public:
http://www.dmoz.org/newperms.html

I know you're feeling pretty sorry for yourself, but you're not being asked to do anything that even experienced editors aren't required to do, .

You're misunderstanding. It's not a personal thing. What we mean is that webmasters and site owners aren't our main focus and aren't a consideration in the actual editing tasks that we do.

Sites are like throwing hundreds of thousands of marbles on the floor. They are all sitting on the same level playing field and have an equal chance of being picked up and reviewed, one at a time. There is no preferential treatment because they all look the same. Who owns the marbles (site owners)or who made the marble (web masters)doesn't matter in the least, we just pick a spot on the floor and start picking up marbles and reviewing them.

Some editors have to stand in one spot, and others can roam the floor freely and choose their spots. It's really that simple.

 

your exact words were: (Pssst, it's a test to see if you "get it"

so you already proved to us that this isn't about any application to be an editor, it's a game the dmoz plays to keep potential editors away from the directory.

which makes sense, given that i've read how dmoz editors require bribes before sites can be listed in the directory, why split the bribe money with new editors?? http://www.google.com/search?q=dmoz+bribe&btnG=Search&hl=en

 

even though its not a "game", even if it was , it would be to keep off potential spammers and abusers .

First thing you need to know about the ODP , is that it is not a Person controlling the helm , but hundreds of of people from different parts of the world ... it is hardly a cult . So when you apply in one of the 590,000 categories, you are most likely to encounter a different Meta or catmod out of 100's, who will oversee your application . Unless you are trying to say ALL of them are corrupt , your comments are pretty baseless.

 

i never said that anybody was corrupt, so quit telling lies about what i post.

i never said that dmoz was a cult, either... perhaps you need to learn how to speak english?

 

This sounds awful close to saying that editors take bribes

And if that is what you believe about ODP why would you want to join, unless you want a cut, in which case you will be sadly disappointed, we work for nothing and anyone caught offering or taking a bribe is banned for life.

I think you are talking about Zeal.com which fed the Looksmart directory and one had to pass a very easy exam to show that you knew how to title, describe and list a site in their directory.

 

Hey I learned from the very best. Orlady was my mentor.

 

It's true that we don't accept everyone as editors, just as it's true that a current editor, like myself, won't automatically be granted a new category or higher/wider editing permissions.

The 3 sample sites that I would also have to submit, demonstrates that I understand the scope of the category via the category charters that I'm applying for, and what kind of sites belong in it. If I fail to do that, then I'll be rejected (just as you have been).

The Title and Description that I write for each of these sites need to be in compliance with not only our editing Guidelines, but with the category charter for that category. Descriptions that are written for listings in one part of the Directory, might be slightly different in other parts of the Directory.

For instance, a state or city might be mentioned in a description for a Topical area of the Directory, but, it would not in the Regional section of the Directory, because that information is contained in the category path, so would be redundant information and unneccessary.

As an editor, requesting a new category, I have to demonstrate I understand these differences, because if I don't, someone is going to have to clean up after me.

The test I'm speaking about is really a demonstration of your ability to figure things out on your own, follow our Guidelines, follow instruction, listen to advice, demonstrate your honesty, demonstrate your ability to spell check yourself, and your ability to write good, ODP compliant descriptions.

I'm not a meta, and this is really a meta topic, but this is how I understand it to be.

With an outsider, trying to become an editor, the information you provide is what you will be judged on (which is very little to make a judgement with).

With a current editor, it's a little easier, because a meta can go look at what the editor has actually done in a current category that they edit. If things aren't right there, they will be turned down also. Just one standard for both outsiders and current editors.

Your last statement also demonstrates something about yourself, an unpleasant, militant attitude, and editors are expected to work together within a very diverse community.

 

not really if your applying in the same main category (one visible from home page) you have pretty good chance of running into same meta over and over again since there number is very low

 

Actually, I think any meta can approve a new editor, if they feel comfortable doing so in that area. I don't believe that any one meta is "in charge" of an area.

At least, every time I've been approved or rejected for a category, it's always been a different meta, administrator, or even our Editor-in-Chief, which would be Staff level. And, from looking at the category requests of many editors over the years, the same seems to be true for all editors, .

 

the number is seemingly low because of the courage , tenacity and interest level weans out pretty easily for many . and the end result is the trust , the appreciation of his/her commitment, and the experience of being able to objectively identify the inappropriate applications or submissions, notwithstanding the contempt and skepticism as in comments like yours.

saying that, even Metas and Editalls are also under regular re-examination by the staff / admin (if deemed as required )if i recall correctly.

 

for somebody who knew about zeal.com, you appear to have a rather poor command of the english language... or perhaps you should try reading the thread before posting:

these dmoz bribery allegations we are reading about were not in the news 8+ years ago, or i certainly wouldn't have applied to be a part of a directory that appears to be so totally corrupt.

 

really? because that's not what you just told us a few posts ago: (Pssst, it's a test to see if you "get it" were your exact words... you were clearly indicating that "it"(a bribe) was necessary in order to become a dmoz editor.

so which is it crowbar? you weren't even a dmoz editor when i applied, lol, and now you can't make up your mind about how the dmoz application process works!

 

Thanks for asking. I live on the planet Earth. It's third from the sun in our solar system. It is the original home planet of the world wide web, and of the DMOZ project.

Content creators may be webmasters, piano tuners, visiting space beings, or any other occupation or vocation. They can manifest in any genetic or pre-, post- or trans-genetic formation.

What is important to DMOZ is that they emit unique/original content in a form that is reviewable by a human editor.

Repeated threads about websites and about webmasters tend to obscure that simple pre-condition for inclusion into DMOZ.

 

Now what is it you are actually complaining about again? Still holding a grudge from 8 years ago? Going on & on & on about how things have not changed is not kind of daft don't you think?

The following line seems to be the entire basis of your argument:
"NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT THE DMOZ"


Maybe try giving some suggestions as to how the problems can be corrected? It's certainly better then hitting the caps lock to say nothing has changed. Become a part of the solution, or at least find a complaint someone can actually comprehend.

How much has really changed in the last 8 years? Likely not all that much, but some change has happened and new changes are taking place daily... so to say NOTHING has changed only makes it look like it was 8 years ago that you last checked and have been loading the site from cache ever since. (maybe you need to just update your RDF?)

So come on, what is the real problem you are having...

 

Another qualification for becoming an editor is honesty and integrity, your post shows that you have neither, .

 

they are not "in charge" but from what I have seen certain metas tend to stick to certain areas, OTOH other metas like to stick their noses into everything they can whether they have a clue or not

So were Aldrich Ames and Harold James Nicholson but it took FBI to uncover them.

 

The WWW will be eternally grateful for your earnest service for mankind Ivan. The WikiMedia has already started thinking about a creating a page dedicated for you beside the FBI.
Do you have a nice photo to place such as this ?