Update URL

[MsSearch]

What happened to the 'Update URL' link on the category pages? I am not seeing this link on many of the pages...:(

just curious...

[ihelpyou]

I saw one yesterday as I updated a Url. Have not looked today. Maybe they wish to catch up first? :)

[MsSearch]

hmmm.....i just noticed it today....i emailed the editor of the category with my update requests...

[sara_day]

Just how long does it take for the DMOZ to actually list updated URLS in the directory?

[ihelpyou]

Welcome to the forums Sara! :hi:

Because the DMOZ is made up of nothing but 'volunteer' editors, it can take anywhere from 1 day to 4-5 months. :)

[MsSearch]

:hi: sara_day...welcome to the forums...

ODP update requests can take anywhere from a few days to a few months...all depends how active the editor of that category is...

some update requests I've had done in a week, others I've had to re-submit the update request a few times before it was fixed...

[Advisor]

...and some will never happen.

J

[sara_day]

Thanks. Guess I'll be waiting quite a while, then. My category doesn't even have an editor. I volunteered to do it, but got no response.

Sara

[agatlin]

How do you know if a category has an editor?

[MsSearch]

Editors are listed at thebottom of the category listings....if there is no editor it will state 'This category needs an editor'

[agatlin]

Why would someone want to be an editor? What is the point in going through all the hassle to beg this group to let you do something that will help them? Who actually owns or runs dmoz?

[Hope]

Most people want to become editors because it gives them insite on how to submit sites to ODP. As for who owns it, that would be AOL/TimeWarner.

[agatlin]

Hope,

If AOL/Time Warner owns it, then why can't they provide enough staff to handle the basic management (not the editing) internally. It seem to be a total cluster***k. I had heard AOL owned it but could hardly believe it was possible.

[MsSearch]

AOL/Time Warner owns it but the ODP directory is run by volunteer editors...

[Mel]

Hi Agatlin:

DMOZ I believe has only two full time paid staff and somewhere between 5 - 8,000 active editors.

Even with these meager resources they have still produced a directory that is relied on by many of the major search engines, and is a must if you want to have the best rankings.

AOL have no particular desire to spend money on a site that basically competes with them.

[agatlin]

I understand. The concept behind DMOZ is great. I have no criticism of it. But given its importance in the industry, some resources should be allocated to a) making sure it continues to be well-received and utilized in the community b) that volunteer editors are recruited for open categories, and c) that sites make it into the index in a timely fashion. Adequate funding and resources could help DMOZ to function more like a well-oiled machine.

If they really wanted to, AOL could use DMOZ to their competitive advantage. After all, it is "the largest human indexed directory".

[Hope]

You are correct, AOL could afford to spend more money. From what I understand, AOL is keeping it's hands off ODP because it works the way it is.

The fact that it takes time to get into the directory wouldn't change if AOL had more paid help. I still only have so many hours a month to edit. If there are more sites than I can edit in that time, then they have to wait. I am a volunteer. AOL will not hire staff to replace us. That would not be cost effective.

[agatlin]

I understand. I would not expect that paid staff should handle the editing. Paid staff could perform other functions like resolving complaints and recruiting.

Don't some categories have more than one editor? They (paid staff) could help to find additional editors for overloaded categories.

I like DMOZ but I am dissatisfied with how long it takes to get some sites in. I would not agree that it works fine. It works sort of. It could be absolutely great!

I am sure editors like you do all they can. Please don't think I am being critical of all the fine people who volunteer their time. I certainly am not.

[Hope]

The meta editors review applications for editors every day. Paid staff would not make this process any easier or faster. The problem is that there are not enough quality applications.

[agatlin]

Heidi,

I see. Another question. If a site does not have an editor, will an application ever get reviewed?

Anthony

[Hope]

Any cat that does not have an editor does get worked on. The editor of the parent cat does the editing of all cats without editors under that parent cat.

[agatlin]

Thank You Heidi! You have been very helpful.

[Hope]

Glad I could help.