Cantufind.com has inspired me the most as its genuine and not out for other directory owners. It has its faults like being slow in refilling its database but having in mind the problems that beset them now over it won't be long before they are back to population. The fact its been a directory for 8 years without break as well makes me feel confident that out of the few that will remain in another 8 years time, Cantufind will be one of them. Directories are not dead by any means.
DMOZ This gets far too many complaints, either to do with submit times, management or corruption, so based on those 3 alone, puts me off dmoz. Yahoo! Directory Established, proven profit maker, and a ton of searchable businesses. Maybe a tad pricey, but that's my only reservation on Yahoo. Best of the Web Too much hype surrounds this one (mainly webmaster based), so it naturally makes me nervous..... Site-Sift Too bog standard for me. Uncover The Net Very nice design, but again a bit too much hype for me. Alive Directory Again nice design, too webmastery for me, hardly any listings, and a bit pricey. Aviva Directory As above JoeAnt Too much US traffic, images of big Ants scare me GoGuides Like the guide concept, except they aren't guides eg: Acton Mobile Industries Bridge Builders Gavin Historical Bricks Green Building Solutions Jui Erh Li Air Spray Guns Rocky Mountain Lasers the above are normal businesses, so I don't get the use of the word GoGuides as the name. Yes, they all try very hard, all the sites are colourful, nice design etc - but let themselves down by being too expensive, empty categories. $69.95 for only a basic listing, too pricey for me. I suppose if any one directory inspired me - perhaps Yahoo. Caterer.com is also nice.